In charge of rolling out the University of Phoenix's operations across Canada, Hancott has so far doubled enrolment to about 700 students in Western Canada in the last three years, expanded the number of locations from one to six sites in Canada, grown the faculty by 50 per cent and opened a new campus in Calgary.

And he's only started.

"I'm trying to open up Canada," said Hancott, a triathlete and black belt in martial arts. "We focus on working adults who don't have time to go to class every day, and most universities just don't get that."

The 38-year-old father of two sons said education must change to meet the needs of working students, who can get an MBA from the University of Phoenix from anywhere in the world, doing the bulk of the work online while attending local campuses for intensive seminars.

Recent new sites in B.C. have opened in Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Kamloops and Victoria. Calgary now has a campus similar to Vancouver's.

Hancott is in charge of academic quality, operations, finance, enrolment and public relations. He manages 150 faculty members, oversees student services and site expansion and handles budgeting and marketing.

On top of that, Hancott teaches a few business courses in the MBA program, and is working on a PhD in organizational management.

The University of Phoenix lays claim to being the largest private university in North America. Its Vancouver campus has 20 full-time staff, 100 faculty and 700 students.

Before joining the University of Phoenix, Hancott held senior executive positions with Seafood Products Co. Ltd., division of Maple Leaf Foods Ltd., where he was vice-president and general manager for B.C. operations of the $40-million company with 400 employees.

Profession you would like to try: Undersea research

Where do you feel most comfortable? Leading and developing people

Favourite movie: The Highlander

Currently reading: Leadership Passages

Toughest decision: Leave Nova Scotia and move to B.C.

Car: Mercedes SUV

Would most like to meet: Cleopatra

Born: Richmond Hill, Ontario

Last CD bought: The Rednecks

Education: Memorial University in Newfoundland, St. Mary's University in Halifax and PhD at Capella University in Minneapolis (in progress)

What's left to do: Help 1,000 people achieve their goals in the next 15 years