Analysis of interviews with Dr. William Pepicello and Dr. Alan TaitDr. William Pepicello and Dr. Alan Tait are leaders of large distance learning universities spanning two continents. Assigned the task of interviewing a distance education leader, Group 1 initially sought an interview with Pepicello, president of the University of Phoenix (UoP), the largest private university in the United States, based on interest from the group for Pepicello's leadership ideas related to accreditation, the size of the university, and the fact that UoP has recently been in the media spotlight. Learning Pepicello was retiring the week of the requested interview and, being proactive, Group 1 sought a further interview with Tait, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the Open University, United Kingdom (OUUK), a member of the Executive Committee of International Council for Open and Distance Education and chair of the European Distance Education and E-Learning Network, based on the team's interest in this global scholar and familiarity with the leader's works. Eventually, both agreed to interviews, and Group 1 interviewed the two leaders on the same day. This paper provides a summary and analysis of interviews with Pepicello and Tait. Interviews were conducted via telephone and Skype, each focusing on six leadership themes from a distance education perspective: the current challenges facing distance education organizations, the leader's vision for his organization, the leader's leadership style, strategies for creating organizational change, strategies for surviving in a dynamic environment, and advice to aspiring distance education professionals. Current challenges facing distance education organizations Both Tait and Pepicello ide...... middle of paper .... ..i, C., Persson Ridell, O., Röndell, J. G. and Sörhammar, D. (2012). The co-creative practice of forming a value proposition. Journal of Marketing Management, 28(13/14), 1553-1570. doi:10.1080/0267257X.2012.736875Phelps, L. D., Parayitam, S., & Olson, B. J. (2007). Edwards Deming, Mary P. Follett, and Frederick W. Taylor: Reconciling differences in organizational and strategic leadership. Journal of the Academy of Strategic Management, 6, 1-14. Retrieved from http://www.alliedacademies.orgSims, H. P., Faraj, S., & Yun, S. (2009). When should a leader be directive or empowering? How to develop your own situational theory of leadership. Business Horizons, 52(2), 149-158. doi: 10.1016/j.bushor.2008.10.002Stanley, T. (2012). Management: a journey in progress. Supervision, 73(8), 21.Taylor, F.W. (1911). The principles of scientific management. New York, New York: Norton.