At The Cotton Group, we are pioneering the integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI and blockchain into the realm of Higher Education, transforming how compensation studies are conducted. Leveraging the executive management experience of Maryellen Gleason, the technological innovation of Brandon J. M. Cotton, and the legal expertise of the Cotton Law Group, we are proud to introduce a revolutionary service that delivers compensation studies in days, not weeks.

The Cotton Group: Shaping the Future of Higher Education

Chief Executive Officer Maryellen Gleason, MBA, brings a unique blend of experience to her role as CEO of CompStudy.ai. Her background in technology, including roles at GTE, US WEST, and Qwest, provides a solid foundation for leading an AI-driven company. Combined with her extensive experience as a five-time nonprofit CEO in performing arts, professional sports, and social services, Maryellen possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing social sector organizations today. Maryellen advises nonprofits on philanthropy strategies through her consulting firm and has also served in Interim Advancement roles with the University of Southern California and Pomona College.

Beyond CompStudy.ai, Maryellen actively contributes her governance and leadership expertise to various boards. She serves as the Board Chair of Sensate, Inc., a Director of Matchspace Music, Inc., and a Director of the MyFractionalCEO Advisory Board. Her commitment to higher education is evident through her role as an Appointed Director of the Harvard Alumni Association and her past presidency of the Harvard Club of Phoenix. Maryellen received the highest possible ratings as an instructor at the UCLA Extension Course, "Working with Boards," and earned a certificate in nonprofit governance from BoardSource.

Maryellen is also a member of several organizations, including the Young Presidents Organization, Virtual Advisory Board, Women Corporate Directors, and the International Women's Forum Trusteeship. She holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, cum laude from Harvard University. She also pursued studies at the Boston University School of Music and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.

Founder and Chief Technology Officer Brandon J. M. Cotton, Our Visionary Leader: Brandon J. M. Cotton, with his 30 years of diverse expertise, is leveraging AI to innovate in Higher Education. His goal is to foster technologies that connect, enlighten, and improve global society.

Attorney Michael Salinas, Higher Education Law Specialist: Michael Salinas is pivotal in guiding executive negotiations and compensation strategies at Cotton & Salinas, infusing legal excellence into academic leadership and governance.

Director Edward Ebong, Research and Development,  Our team of researchers are pioneers in compensation and market analysis technology, laying the groundwork for technology-enhanced education solutions.

Developer Jonathan Gonzales, the technical genius behind the  ongoing development of Compensation Insight Engine, a groundbreaking tool patented (patent pending) by Brandon J. M. Cotton. His development work is crucial in transforming how compensation studies are conducted and applied in Higher Education.

The Cotton Group stands on the foundational legacy of our late founder, Ray Cotton, whose 50-year tenure in law provided unparalleled service to over a thousand Higher Education institutions. His dedication extended beyond legal counsel, touching education as an adjunct faculty member and lecturer at prestigious universities, and serving on the Board of Trustees at Monmouth College. Today, under the visionary leadership of Mr. Brandon J. M. Cotton, we honor Ray’s commitment by pioneering AI technologies for contract negotiations, compensation studies, and employment law, aiming to revolutionize Higher Education with the latest technological advancements.

Our legacy is a blend of tradition and innovation—honoring the path laid by Ray Cotton while embracing the future envisioned by Brandon J. M. Cotton. We are dedicated to enhancing the Higher Education sector through technological advancement, ensuring that institutions, educators, and administrators have access to cutting-edge tools to lead with confidence and insight. The Cotton Group's commitment to transforming Higher Education with technology is not just our legacy; it is our promise to the future.