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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COSMETOLOGY

SCOTTSDALE, AZ · EIN 136163824 · Form 990 · FY2020 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.beautyschools.org
revenue
$1.4M
expenses
$1.2M
net assets
$760K
employees
4
volunteers
40
program ratio
0%
mission · from form 990

AACS BRINGS TOGETHER ALL FACETS OF THE COSMETOLOGY, BEAUTY, AND WELLNESS INDUSTRIES TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF COSMETOLOGY, BEAUTY AND WELLNESS AND TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF RELATED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR STUDENTS BEFORE REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE BODIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) is an infrastructure organization that supports beauty, barber, and wellness education institutions. It provides professional development, advocacy, and networking opportunities for educators and school owners across North America. AACS hosts annual conferences and events to address legislative issues and enhance educational strategies within the industry.

named programs · 5 · from sources

what they call their work

AACS Annual Conference
A yearly conference for members and partners, providing networking, educational sessions, and industry insights.
AACS Connect
A digital community for members to network and access resources year-round.
CEA Conference
An annual education symposium for cosmetology, barber, esthetics, nail, and massage instructors focusing on innovative teaching strategies, demonstration techniques, and earning CEU hours.
Congressional Summit & Hill Day
An annual event bringing together industry leaders to advocate for the beauty, barber, and wellness education sector on Capitol Hill, including meetings with Members of Congress and legislative updates.
Quarterly Partner Expos
Tabletop exhibit opportunities for AACS partners during NACCAS workshops, allowing interaction with attendees and showcasing industry resources.
activities · 6 groups

what they do

  • Professional Association Conferences & Events 7 activities
    • Exhibition and Partnership Facilitation
      Organizes exhibit halls and Quarterly Partner Expos at conferences and workshops to showcase industry partners and solutions, and facilitates special offers and discounts from partners to AACS member schools.
    • Partner and Vendor Engagement
      Organizes Exhibit Halls and Quarterly Partner Expos to showcase industry partners and solutions to beauty, barber, and wellness school owners. Facilitates special offers and discounts from partners to AACS member schools.
    • Partner and Vendor Engagement
      Organizes Exhibit Halls and Quarterly Partner Expos to showcase industry partners and solutions, providing tabletop exhibit opportunities for partners. Also facilitates special offers and discounts from partners to AACS member schools.
    • Partner and Vendor Engagement
      Facilitates connections between member schools and industry partners by organizing Exhibit Halls at conferences, hosting Quarterly Partner Expos, providing tabletop exhibit opportunities, and listing special offers and discounts from partners on its website.
    • Professional Development Conferences and Seminars
      Organizes and hosts multiple annual events, including the AACS Annual Conference for school owners and administrators, the CEA Conference for educators, and other seminars and conventions, providing professional development, networking opportunities, and workshops on various topics relevant to the beauty, barber, and wellness education sector.
    • Professional Development Conferences and Seminars
      Organizes and hosts multiple annual events, including the AACS Annual Conference for school owners and administrators, the CEA Conference for educators, and various seminars and conventions, providing professional development, networking opportunities, and workshops on topics like school operations, teaching strategies, and industry trends.
    • Professional Development Conferences and Seminars
      Organizes and hosts multiple annual events, including the AACS Annual Conference for school owners and administrators, the CEA Conference for educators, and other seminars and conventions. These events provide professional development, networking opportunities, and cover topics such as school operations, teaching strategies, and industry trends.
  • Professional Development Webinars & Recordings 4 activities
    • Educational Webinars and Workshops
      Provides free educational webinars ("Webinar Wednesdays") and interactive "Lunch & Learns" for school owners and educators, covering topics such as admissions, marketing, financial aid, accreditation, compliance, and operations. Also offers Virtual Roundtables for moderated discussions and best practice sharing.
    • Educational Webinars and Workshops
      Provides free educational webinars ("Webinar Wednesdays") and interactive "Lunch & Learns" for school owners and educators, covering topics like admissions, marketing, financial aid, accreditation, compliance, and operations. Also offers Virtual Roundtables for moderated discussions and best practice sharing.
    • Educational Webinars and Workshops
      Provides free educational webinars ("Webinar Wednesdays") and interactive "Lunch & Learns" and Virtual Roundtables for members, covering topics such as admissions, marketing, financial aid, accreditation, compliance, operations, and faculty training.
    • Educational Webinars and Workshops
      Provides free educational webinar series ("Webinar Wednesdays") and interactive "Lunch & Learns" for members, covering topics such as admissions, marketing, financial aid, accreditation, compliance, operations, and teaching strategies. Also offers Virtual Roundtables for moderated discussions and best practice sharing.
  • Cosmetology Scholarships and Awards 4 activities
    • Industry Recognition and Awards
      Recognizes excellence in the beauty, barber, and wellness education sector through awards such as the Golden School Awards, the N.F. Cimaglia Educator of the Year award, and the AACS & L’Oreal PPD Student Stylist of the Year awards.
    • Industry Recognition and Awards
      Recognizes excellence within the beauty, barber, and wellness education sector through various awards, including the Golden School Awards across nine categories, the N.F. Cimaglia Educator of the Year award, and the AACS & L’Oreal PPD Student Stylist of the Year awards.
    • Industry Recognition and Awards
      Recognizes excellence in the beauty, barber, and wellness education sector through awards such as the Golden School Awards (across nine categories), the N.F. Cimaglia Educator of the Year award, and the AACS & L’Oreal PPD Student Stylist of the Year awards.
    • Industry Recognition and Awards
      Recognizes excellence within the beauty, barber, and wellness education sector through various awards, including the Golden School Awards, the N.F. Cimaglia Educator of the Year award, and the AACS & L’Oreal PPD Student Stylist of the Year awards.
  • Occupational Licensing & Tax Advocacy 2 activities
    • Advocacy for Beauty and Wellness Education Sector
      Monitors and influences state and federal legislation and regulations, including student loan policies and FAFSA updates, to protect and promote the interests of the beauty and wellness education sector. This includes organizing meetings with congressional representatives and hosting an annual Congressional Summit & Hill Day for members to advocate directly.
    • Advocacy for Beauty and Wellness Education Sector
      Monitors and influences state and federal legislation and regulations, including student loan policies and FAFSA updates, to protect and advance the interests of the beauty and wellness education sector. This includes organizing meetings with congressional representatives and advocating against over-regulation and deregulation of licensure.
  • Regular Governance and Member Meetings 1 activity
    • Member Governance and Networking
      Conducts an Annual Business Meeting for members to vote on Board members and Bylaws amendments. Hosts networking events and socials, including a Masquerade Ball and celebration lunches, to foster connections among members.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Member Representation and Governance
      Represents over 250 school-owner members across nearly 700 schools in the U.S. and conducts an annual business meeting for members to vote on Board members and Bylaws amendments.
    • Member Representation and Governance
      Represents over 250 school-owner members, comprising nearly 700 schools across the U.S., and conducts an Annual Business Meeting for members to vote on new Board members and Bylaws amendments.
financials · form 990 · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$1.40M
Contributions & grants$947K67%
Program service revenue$287K20%
Investment income$107K8%
Other revenue$63K
expenses
Total expenses$1.23M
Program expenses0%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$306K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.12M
Cash$398K
Investments$650K
Liabilities$360K
Net assets$760K
Liquid reserves10.2 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
KATHY CHOW FORMER EXECU 40 $103K
ANTHONY CIVITANO FORMER EXECU 40 $82K
board members · 14
  • CATHY KOLUCH — STRATEGY COM
  • CHRIS LINFORD — DIRECTOR
  • DANA PERISCO — DIRECTOR
  • GARRETT SHULER — DIRECTOR
  • GINA KINION — DIRECTOR
  • JEREMY FEDERICO — DIRECTOR
  • JIM PETRILLO — VICE CHAIR
  • JOHN W TURNAGE — DIRECTOR
  • KIM MCINTOSH — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL HALMON — PRESIDENT
  • MIKE VANACORE — HON VICE PRE
  • NEAL HELLER ESQ — DIRECTOR
  • SANDRA BRUCE — TREASURER/SE
  • TERESA LEWIS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 20

who they work with

  • AACS Premier Partners Partner — Present webinars for AACS members.
  • Horseshoe Hotel & Casino Partner — Hotel venue for the September 2025 Las Vegas Partner Expo.
  • Hyatt Regency Orange County Partner — Host hotel for the CEA Conference, offering a reduced room rate for attendees.
  • Hyatt Regency Orange County Partner — Hotel venue for the 2026 CEA Conference.
  • InterContinental New Orleans Partner — Hotel venue for the December 2025 and December 2026 New Orleans Partner Expos.
  • James Bergeron Government — Acting Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education who spoke at the 2025 Hill Day.
  • L’Oreal Partner — Co-hosts the Student Stylist of the Year Competition.
  • L’Oreal PPD Partner — Co-sponsored the AACS & L’Oreal PPD Student Stylist of the Year award and provided a presenter for methodology courses at the CEA Conference.
  • Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Partner — Hotel venue for the 2026 Annual Conference.
  • Milady Partner — Co-sponsored the N.F. Cimaglia Educator of the Year award and provided a presenter for methodology courses at the CEA Conference.
  • NACCAS Partner — Holds Quarterly Partner Expos during NACCAS workshops.
  • NACCAS Partner — Holds Quarterly Partner Expos in conjunction with NACCAS events.
  • Pivot Point Partner — Provided presenters for methodology courses at the CEA Conference.
  • Planet Hollywood Partner — Hotel venue for the September 2026 Las Vegas Partner Expo.
  • Renaissance Seattle Hotel Partner — Hotel venue for the March 2026 Seattle Partner Expo.
  • Thompson Coburn LLP Partner — Chris Murray, Roger Swartzwelder, Hope Watson, and Ben Grove from Thompson Coburn LLP are listed as speakers/lobbyists.
  • Tysons Corner Marriott Partner — Hotel venue for the June 2026 Tysons Corner (VA) Partner Expo.
  • U.S. Department of Education Government — Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron and other staff from the U.S. Department of Education speak at events.
  • US Department of Education Government — Monitors and comments on proposed rules and regulations from the Department of Education, including student loan regulations and FAFSA updates.
  • Walt Disney World® Resort Partner — Partnered to provide specially priced tickets for CEA attendees.