Randy Schuessler
Chief Technology Officer
Randy Schuessler is Chief Technology Officer at New Meridian, responsible for the company’s technology strategy, customer and enterprise systems, data analytics, and security.
It’s a position with a need for performance and reliability – an ethos that Randy understands well because he started his career as a flight control systems engineer on the F-16 Fighter.
After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in aerospace engineering, Randy worked for Lockheed Martin, designing and implementing flight test programs for the U.S. Air Force. It was there he developed a passion for creating high-quality, innovative software that delivers results and fundamentally advances how people perform work.
Randy earned an MBA from Texas Christian University and shifted career paths to digital transformation in business. With the rapid adoption of the Internet and web technologies, he held increasing leadership positions at Sabre, Accenture, BNSF Railway, and Manugistics. He then joined Harcourt Assessment, which was acquired by Pearson, where he continued to advance to Vice President of Assessment Technology Solutions.
Randy found a home in education, now working in the industry for almost two decades. “You’re impacting our kids’ futures,” he said. “It really makes a difference. You’re not just selling a product or service…you’re doing something that changes lives. It’s very mission oriented.”
Randy was drawn to New Meridian because it is an established leader in assessments that continues to innovate like a startup company. He is particularly interested in creating assessments and technology solutions that give teachers actionable data in real time, so they can adjust classroom learning. He said the mission is as much as about people and culture as it is about software and platforms.
“I really enjoy building high-performing teams… getting people galvanized around strategy and enabling them to be successful,” he said. “Technology is just a means to an end. With so many emerging and transient technologies, you have to focus on what solves business problems, meets user needs, and delivers real value.”
Outside of work, Randy looks forward to visiting and traveling with family. He also enjoys restoring and exhibiting his very rare British convertible—and especially driving it and riding his motorcycle through the Texas Hill Country.
