Dr William A. Cohen was the first graduate of the doctoral program that Peter Drucker co-founded. What Drucker taught him changed his life. Shortly after graduating, Cohen was recommissioned in the US Air Force and rose to the rank of major general. Eventually he became a full professor, management consultant, and the author of more than 50 books, while maintaining a nearly lifelong friendship with his former professor.
In 2009 he was named a Distinguished Alumnus by Drucker's school, Claremont Graduate University, and two years later he co-founded the non-profit California Institute of Advanced Management with the mission of offering affordable graduate degrees based on Drucker's principles. He served as its president from 2010-2016. He now serves as president of the Institute of Leader Arts, an international training and consulting company.