Richard Weissman

Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, The Learning Experience, Deerfield Beach

The Learning Experience has more than 315 childhood education centers in the U.S., with 250 more under development, domestically and internationally. The company serves more than 44,000 children. Weissman co-founded TLE with his parents in 2002 and has been president since. The company has 1,000 corporate employees and about 10,000 across all franchise systems. Weissman is chairman of Make-A-Wish South Florida. In partnership with Make-a-Wish, The Learning Experience offers proprietary preschool curriculum teaching philanthropy to 44,000 children. Each year, all TLE schools and employees join to fundraise for Make-A-Wish to put what the children have learned into action. Collectively, TLE has raised more than $6 million for Make-A-Wish.

EDUCATION: No college

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: Diversifying our economy through incentivizing technology-based companies.

MENTOR: My father … He mentored me, guided me, and molded me into who I am today, and I wouldn’t be in the position I am now if it weren’t for him.

INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: Wayne Huizenga. When my father and I were building the foundation for our first franchise concept, we contacted Wayne. He shared his insights on building a successful franchise. That meeting was instrumental in shaping our path forward.