Meet Our Team

Mike Sullivan

Chief Excecutive Officer/Owner

Following a 25 year career in the Automobile Industry, Mike purchased the Sylvan Learning Center in Abilene in May of 2000.  23 years later the company grew to include Centers in multiple location with several partners including sons Matthew and Michael.

Now at the twilight of his Sylvan career, Mike enjoys watching his sons and the other partners continue the commitment to delivering excellence in education and every facet with our students and their families.

Mike spends every minute he can with his grandchildren Hadley, Calla, Shielding and Patton.  He and wife of 45 years, Cindy, travel often and enjoy hiking as an integral part of many of their trips.  Mike also enjoys reading and snow skiing.

Mike has mentored many men over the years and continues in an active role in ministry both nationally and internationally.

Matthew Sullivan

Chief Operations Officer/Owner

Matthew has spent the majority of his life connected to Sylvan in some form or fashion. He attended Sylvan as a student from 6th grade through high school graduation, worked at Sylvan part-time in high school and college, and then became a Sylvan owner in 2013. His passion is helping see people grow and reach their fullest potential, whether it be through baseball lessons and mentoring young men during his free time, or daily leading the team of Directors at Sylvan. He and his wife, Rachel, have 2 children, Calla & Shielding. 

Likes: Spending time with his family, exercise, lawn care, participating in men’s Bible studies/fellowship. 

Strengths: Coaching/Mentoring, Motivating, Encouraging

Michael Sullivan

Chief Financial Officer/Owner

Michael is a graduate from Texas A&M with a master’s degree in accounting. After starting his career working as a CPA with Deloitte, Michael has moved to roles that combine his accounting background and people skills. After spending 8 years working for Faithbridge Church in Spring, TX, he moved back to his hometown of Abilene to serve as the CFO of Sylvan Learning Centers of Abilene/Lubbock.

Likes: Aggie Athletics, Dallas Cowboys, Crumbl Cookie, playing/watching golf, and being outdoors with his wife Jill and two kids (Hadley, Patton).

Strengths: Attention to Detail, Strategic Thinking

Ben Riddle

Director

Ben has dedicated his career to customer service, previously working as a sales representative in various industries. He found his home at Sylvan, where he gets to provide top tier customer service, and also assist in changing the lives of students academically. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University and a lifelong resident of Abilene. Ben’s favorite job is being a husband to his wife, Karsen, and dad to his two daughters.

Likes: Basketball, card games, coffee, mowing the lawn, spending time with his girls (especially Christmas time)

Strengths: Empathetic, inherently patient, building relationships

Ariel Quezada

Assistant Director

Ariel has spent many years in education from substitute teaching to teaching math in the classroom to tutoring at Sylvan. She is a graduate of Westminster University, Salt Lake City, where she studied English and film, and lives in Abilene with the love of her life and their three spoiled cats.

Likes: listening to podcasts, camping, cross stitch, collecting vinyl records, having strong opinions about movies

Strengths: problem solver, quick thinker, compassionate, attentive to detail