“We are in such a pivotal moment as education continues to transform and learner needs evolve in a complex and ever-changing workforce,” Thome said. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this innovative team and embark on a new chapter with ACT.”
Thome previously served as vice president of product at Penn Foster Group, an online education and workforce development leader. There, he led the company’s high school products, overseeing multi-million-dollar operational growth in business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and business-to-government markets. Thome also oversaw customer success at Flocabulary, a high-growth edtech startup acquired by Nearpod. He served as the director of partnership development and reengagement at the NYC Department of Education, as well as assistant director of admission at Santa Clara University.
“Alex comes to ACT with an exceptional and proven record of product management and transformative innovation, as well as the market understanding needed to lead our broad and ambitious portfolio of assessment solutions,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said. “Our commitment to evolve, adapt, and provide forward-thinking products and services is just ramping up. We are thrilled to welcome Thome to our team and look forward to his contributions to helping all learners reach their full potential.”
Thome’s appointment comes as ACT begins to roll out enhancements to the ACT test. Earlier this month, the first cohort of U.S. students took the enhanced exam, gaining flexibility and choice in their test experience, answering fewer questions, and receiving more time to respond to each question. The new exam will be introduced to more students who opt for an online test this summer and will continue to reach more students through spring 2026 when the legacy ACT will be fully retired.
Thome is a father and active in his greater Boston community, volunteering with local higher education groups and community athletics. His spouse is a university professor. He is tri-lingual in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and is an alumnus of Santa Clara University and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
For more information and news about ACT, visit www.act.org.
About ACT
ACT is transforming college and career readiness pathways so that everyone can discover and fulfill their potential. Grounded in more than 65 years of research, ACT’s learning resources, assessments, research, and work-ready credentials are trusted by students, job seekers, educators, schools, government agencies, and employers in the U.S. and around the world to help people achieve their education and career goals at every stage of life. Visit us at act.org.
Contact: ACT Strategic Communications; publicrelations@act.org
Thome’s appointment comes as ACT begins to roll out enhancements to the ACT test. Earlier this month, the first cohort of U.S. students took the enhanced exam, gaining flexibility and choice in their test experience, answering fewer questions, and receiving more time to respond to each question. The new exam will be introduced to more students who opt for an online test this summer and will continue to reach more students through spring 2026 when the legacy ACT will be fully retired.
Thome is a father and active in his greater Boston community, volunteering with local higher education groups and community athletics. His spouse is a university professor. He is tri-lingual in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and is an alumnus of Santa Clara University and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
For more information and news about ACT, visit www.act.org.
About ACT
ACT is transforming college and career readiness pathways so that everyone can discover and fulfill their potential. Grounded in more than 65 years of research, ACT’s learning resources, assessments, research, and work-ready credentials are trusted by students, job seekers, educators, schools, government agencies, and employers in the U.S. and around the world to help people achieve their education and career goals at every stage of life. Visit us at act.org.
Contact: ACT Strategic Communications; publicrelations@act.org