Government Contractors | Technology 2025: RHYU, JAMES J.

Rhyu joined for-profit education tech company Stride in 2013 and has served as its CEO since 2021. Founded in 2000 as K12, Stride offers career-learning services for middle and high school curricula, programs for businesses and the military, and professional skills training in health care and technology for adult learners. Stride reported just over $2 billion in fiscal 2024 revenue, up from $1.84 billion the previous year.

In October 2024, a report from a short seller caused Stride’s shares to temporarily tumble after it claimed that the company’s profits had been bloated by COVID-19-era relief funds. In May, Stride lost a contract with New Mexico’s largest school district over claims of poor service.

Rhyu previously served as Stride’s chief financial officer, president of corporate strategy, marketing and technology, and president of product and technology. He also worked as chief administrative officer and chief financial officer for Match.com, and senior vice president of finance at Dow Jones & Co. Rhyu added Stride’s board chair to his title in 2024.

Rhyu holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and an MBA from the London Business School.