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Sherman Taylor (Allen Zhou / 周艾伦)

Background​

  • Business partner of Ari Crane
  • Goes by Chinese name Allen Zhou (周艾伦) when operating in China
  • Described as having exclusive rights to license Elon Musk's Ad Astra/Astranova educational model in Asia
  • Works with the founder of Elon Musk's Montessori school for SpaceX employees
  • Has built schools in South Korea and China
  • Described as delivering "next level curriculum"
  • Holds a PhD (field unspecified)
  • Introduced Ultimate Frisbee to China
  • Co-captain of China's national Ultimate Frisbee team
  • White man from Texas who has built significant presence in Asia
  • Has experience creating sports schools and communities
  • Key player in $5 million China education deal secured May 2025
  • Has connections to Lady Ping (First Lady of China) and Mayor Wu (potential next CCP leader)
  • Married to high-level executive who oversees 60 business units with American Exchange Association
  • Wife works directly with Chinese government on insurance policy compliance and regulation
  • Attended Illinois Math and Science Academy (250-person boarding school)
  • Duke University graduate (2011-2015), Computer Science major
  • Strong environmental and sustainability focus in educational approach

Role & Potential Value​

  • Education Innovation: Experience with private school models in Asia
  • Sports Education: Has created and managed sports-focused educational programs
  • China Access: Could provide valuable connections and insights for Asian expansion
  • Elon Musk Connection: Possible bridge to Musk's educational thinking and network
  • Government Relations: Direct connections to highest levels of Chinese government
  • Deal Making: Instrumental in securing $5 million for Alpha Schools expansion to China

Current Projects & Interests (November 2025 Update)​

  • National License SECURED: Successfully obtained national-level license from Beijing (extremely rare achievement)
  • AI Education Platform Development: Creating advanced avatar-based virtual teachers for common core curriculum - beta version by end of November 2025
  • Investment Status: Multiple investors lined up, new regulation requires all investment from China (no external investors for education)
  • US School Partnership Requirements: Need American high school partner to issue diplomas (Alpha only goes to grade 8)
  • Dual Diploma Strategy: Students will take Chinese gaokao AND receive American high school diploma
  • Texas Charter School Backup Plan: If Alpha partnership fails, planning to open charter school in Texas
  • Alternative School Partnerships: In discussions with:
    • Cranbrook (elite top 10 private school in Detroit)
    • Cornell University professors
  • Technology Platform: Developing "2.0" AI education system far more advanced than current Alpha technology
  • All-English Instruction Model: All schools will operate in English with English-speaking staff
  • Shanghai American School Emulation: Government wants them to replicate this prestigious model
  • Christian Fellowship Leadership: Runs Wednesday 9 PM fellowship with rotating leadership model
  • Leading negotiations for Alpha Schools licensing in China with potential to scale to $100M-$1B
  • Working with Chinese investors who want to build campuses using Alpha model

Interactions with Gary Sheng​

  • No direct interaction yet
  • Mentioned by Ari Crane as someone Gary should meet
  • Potential to join trip to China in June 2025
  • May 22, 2025: Sherman showed Chinese investors information about Alpha Schools leading to $5 million funding commitment

Contact Information​

  • Accessible through Ari Crane
  • Has office/operations in China

Interactions with Gary Sheng and Team​

  • June 16, 2025: AlexEd China Education Founding Team Meeting - Led historic Microsoft Teams meeting formally inviting Lael Alexander to join China education initiative. Sherman demonstrated strong leadership and faith-based approach, concluding meeting with "God's feet or may God be with you always." Outlined revolutionary 2-hour core curriculum + 6-hour vocational skills model, emphasizing student-centered approach with "guides" rather than "teachers." Shared family integration philosophy: "Yesterday I did take the team to meet my family because I think in a project, a project is about being a family." Positioned team as collective unit: "As in this team, we never use the word I, it's always we, because everything that happens affects all of the team." Successfully orchestrated Lael's emotional acceptance and established June 16th as "Founders Day" for the initiative.

  • June 16, 2025: Yard House Dinner Strategic Planning - Extended dinner meeting at The Domain with Gary, Lina Lu, and Ari Crane solidifying "Alexander School" branding and March 2025 Shanghai summit planning. Sherman revealed extensive family government connections: wife oversees 60 business units with American Exchange Association and works directly with Chinese government on compliance policies. Demonstrated cultural intelligence with Puxi/Pudong Shanghai distinctions and commitment to team-first approach: "Building the school, that was my personal concept story. That still was my dream. But, it's not my dream anymore. It's our dream." Outlined soft religious integration strategy for Chinese market and environmental technology focus aligned with Dr. Alexander's capabilities.

  • June 18, 2025: CHINA PARTNERSHIP CONSTRAINTS DISCUSSION - Extended strategic conversation with Lael Alexander and Gary Sheng revealing both opportunities and significant limitations in China education partnership. Sherman outlined government requirements: "The government in Pudong wants to show that the U.S. is investing. Of course, we're gonna have investment from the Chinese side. But they want it to be a joint investment multi-capital style investment program." Disclosed concerning market constraint: 30% decrease in senior leadership salaries in Chinese market. Emphasized need for U.S. financial support to demonstrate bilateral commitment, creating potential funding challenges for partnership structure. Discussion revealed tension between partnership potential and practical compensation/investment limitations that prompted Gary and Lael to reassess strategic approach to China collaboration.

  • June 20, 2025: CHINA PROJECT ACCELERATION & ALEXANDER SHENG INC. FORMATION - Historic breakthrough call from China confirming government pre-approval and immediate investor funding commitment. Sherman reported at 1 AM China time: "Today we met with the government. All of the licenses are pre-approved. And I met with the Chinese investors. And they're willing to, within two weeks, put what we're calling just the seed money." Confirmed aggressive six-week implementation timeline and Chinese urgency: "So the Chinese side is extremely serious about getting this project." Established legal structure through Alexander Sheng Inc. as Delaware-based entity with Macau operations. Confirmed NVIDIA partnership: "NVIDIA wants to join this project... That's the perfect world, to be honest with you. I can't even think of another company in China that I would prefer more." Outlined revolutionary curriculum development partnership with Lael focused on student-centered education: "We are going to break from what Mom and Dad want... We want the kids to develop where they go, what they want." Introduced Cornell professor partnership (Professor Perry) and "super soldiers" development team concept. Implemented comprehensive NDA protocols and confirmed Sherman's operational authority in China. Invited Gary to join men's Bible study group, demonstrating faith integration in business relationships.

  • October 23, 2025: CHINA LICENSING UPDATE AND GARY'S ROLE EXPLORATION - Call with Gary Sheng discussing major shift in Chinese education licensing requirements and potential roles for Gary. Allen revealed: "The government here changed it used to be a local license like Shanghai school Shanghai. Now you have to get the national license." Outlined government partnership structure: "They will manage the license basically they'll own the license, but we control the finance. Which is normal." Proposed multiple potential roles for Gary including brand ambassador: "I could see you basically as a brand ambassador... If we're moving to different cities you're just the face of the company. I don't want to be the face." Suggested limited China presence requirement: "I think you just need to be here during recruitment season January February March. Three months a year." Shared excitement about student interest: "This 13 year old... she as an 8th grader she was so excited... That gave me energy today." Discussed Christian fellowship philosophy differences and open-door church approach. Gary expressed interest but unlikely full-time China move: "I think it's probably unlikely that I could live full-time in China, but I do want to support you."

  • November 9, 2025: NATIONAL LICENSE SECURED & US PARTNERSHIP PIVOT - Critical update call with Gary (Gary in Rome) confirming major project milestone and strategic pivot. Sherman announced: "We got the national license, which is extremely important because now it's no longer local, it's issued at the national level from Beijing." Revealed new investment regulation: "All the investment has to be classified from China. For educational purposes, there cannot be external investors out of China." Outlined advanced AI platform development: "We're creating avatars that are becoming virtual teachers... far more advanced than what Alpha's currently using." Explained diploma requirement: "We have to have an American entity to be able to issue a high school diploma... Alpha only goes up to grade eight." Proposed dual strategy: "If Alpha refuses... we would want you to work with us to set up that charter school" in Texas. Confirmed Gary's role: "James and I both consider you're just the American counterpart of the team." Mentioned alternative partnerships with Cranbrook ("top ten private school based out of Detroit") and Cornell University professors. Emphasized technology advancement: "What we're doing is like 10 times... at a much higher level" than Alpha. Promised beta version by end of month and finalized presentation after investor meetings. Strategic positioning: "We have the money, we have the government backing. We're just looking for the right connection to the U.S."

  • June 23, 2025: CHINA EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP FINANCIAL STRUCTURING & SOFT DIPLOMACY FRAMEWORK - Strategic four-way meeting with Gary Sheng, Dr. Lael Alexander, and James King clarifying investment requirements and educational positioning. Sherman revealed PhD in political science background and articulated comprehensive "soft diplomacy" educational framework: "The school is in essence, it's soft diplomacy that we are creating specialists that can be used by companies or the Chinese government in soft diplomacy." Drew historical precedent from Roman expansion: "It's like kind of what the Romans did. They actually did soft diplomacy. Their soldiers married locals and they integrated into society. Therefore the Romans were very successful under Alexander to colonize in a very soft way." Clarified dual campus strategy with James: "Our goal is to open two campuses, one in China and one either in Singapore or one in Malaysia." Emphasized curriculum adaptation for Chinese political constraints: "It's not critical thinking, it's program management, it's initiative thinking... You can't use those words, because if you do, you're politicized." Demonstrated humble leadership philosophy: "James and I are just humble guys... You have connections to China and why would you choose to work with two humble guys that were successful in our industry, but you could work with anybody." Confirmed $150,000 USD matching investment requirement: "The Chinese side has already made the pledge. But Pudong wants the American side to match." Expressed family-first values and educational passion: "I'm about my family, my dog and my cat... I can spend hours talking about this. She has no idea what I am talking about." Clarified role division with James: "James is more the financials. But from an education, I want Timmy to be able to go straight into the workforce and be productive." Established decision timeline for Gary and Lael partnership commitment.

Key Quotes from June 23, 2025 China Education Partnership Discussion​

On "Soft Diplomacy" Educational Framework​

"The school is in essence, it's soft diplomacy that we are creating specialists that can be used by companies or the Chinese government in soft diplomacy."

On Historical Precedent for Educational Expansion​

"It's like kind of what the Romans did. They actually did soft diplomacy. Their soldiers married locals and they integrated into society. Therefore the Romans were very successful under Alexander to colonize in a very soft way."

On Curriculum Adaptation for China​

"It's not critical thinking, it's program management, it's initiative thinking... You can't use those words, because if you do, you're politicized."

On Humble Leadership Philosophy​

"James and I are just humble guys... You have connections to China and why would you choose to work with two humble guys that were successful in our industry, but you could work with anybody."

On Student-Centered Education Vision​

"We are going to break from what Mom and Dad want... We want the kids to develop where they go, what they want... I want Timmy to be able to go straight into the workforce and be productive."

On Family Values​

"I'm about my family, my dog and my cat... I understand. And I think you would choose your family over a meeting as well."

On Educational Passion​

"I can spend hours talking about this. She [wife] has no idea what I am talking about."

Key Quotes from November 9, 2025 National License Success Call​

On National License Achievement​

"We got the national license, which is extremely important because now it's no longer local, it's issued at the national level from Beijing."

On New Investment Regulations​

"All the investment has to be classified from China. For educational purposes, there cannot be external investors out of China."

On Advanced AI Technology Platform​

"We're creating avatars that are becoming virtual teachers... I think, far more advanced than what Alpha's currently using." "What we're doing is like 10 times... at a much higher level."

On US Partnership Requirements​

"We have to have an American entity to be able to issue a high school diploma... Alpha only goes up to grade eight."

On Gary's Role in Project​

"You would be the American liaison... we'll figure out your percentage of the big picture." "James and I both consider you're just the American counterpart of the team."

On Loyalty and Partnership​

"I never cut people out. You helped us in the beginning, and we really appreciate it."

On Strategic Position​

"We have the money, we have the government backing. We're just looking for the right connection to the U.S."

Notes​

  • Successfully established himself in China despite cultural and national differences
  • Appears to have navigated complex international relationships and regulations
  • Has demonstrated expertise in creating educational systems across cultures
  • Relationship deterioration with Ari Crane (November 2025): Ari reported complete communication breakdown - "I haven't spoken with Sherman Taylor in three weeks" due to trust issues
  • Business ethics concerns raised by Ari: "He told me... 'we screw each other all the time in China, so it's acceptable'" - causing Ari significant discomfort
  • Trust issues reported: Ari stated "he kept going behind my back and doing what he could to cut me out of certain things"
  • Cultural assimilation: According to Ari, Sherman claims he now "thinks like an Asian person" after years in China
  • Military connection: 29-year battle buddy relationship with Ari from Army service in Korea, where Sherman demonstrated strong cultural immersion abilities
  • National License Achievement: One of the few to secure national-level education license from Beijing (November 2025)
  • Technology Innovation Leader: Developing AI avatar-based teaching platform that surpasses existing solutions
  • Regulatory Navigation Expert: Successfully adapted to new Chinese investment regulations requiring all-domestic funding
  • Dual Diploma Pioneer: Creating system for students to earn both Chinese gaokao and American high school diplomas
  • Charter School Experience: Has previously established charter schools in Texas
  • Elite School Connections: Building relationships with Cranbrook (top 10 US private school) and Cornell University
  • Claims Squirrel AI has been rolled out to 30 million Chinese students (though Ari notes it hasn't actually been implemented)
  • Able to navigate patriotic concerns - Ari describes education as a "solid bridge" between countries
  • 13th five-star green card holder in China, considers China his permanent home
  • Direct, straightforward communication style reflecting Pudong cultural background
  • Strong military background with Ari Crane - both Army veterans, battle buddies for 29 years
  • PhD in Political Science: Educational background revealed during June 23 discussion, explaining expertise in soft diplomacy framework
  • Christian Fellowship Leader: Runs inclusive fellowship with rotating leadership, believes in "open doors" approach to church
  • Recruitment Season Focus: Suggests key personnel only need to be in China January-March for student recruitment
  • Anti-Spotlight Personality: "I don't want to be the face of the company. That's just my personality"
  • Innovation Focus: "We are innovating Chinese education maybe we can take it back to the US, but we're gonna start in China"
  • Loyalty Values: Strong emphasis on not cutting out early supporters, maintaining relationships through project evolution

Potential Collaboration Areas with Gary Sheng (November 2025)​

  • American Liaison Role: "You would be the American liaison... we'll figure out your percentage of the big picture"
  • Charter School Partnership: If Alpha refuses, work together to establish Texas charter school for diploma-issuing capability
  • US School Connection Facilitation: Help identify and connect with American high schools willing to partner
  • Technology Platform Sharing: Access to advanced AI avatar-based teaching platform (beta by end November)
  • Brand Ambassador Role: Allen explicitly wants Gary as "face of the company" for expansion to different cities
  • Advisory Position: Gary expressed interest in advisory-level involvement
  • Recruitment Season Presence: 3-month annual commitment (January-March) for student recruitment
  • Administrator Role: Potential position once curriculum is finalized
  • International Education Models: Insights on scaling educational concepts globally
  • China Market Access: Potential pathway for future Asian expansion of initiatives
  • Alpha Schools China: Ready to implement with full Chinese investment and government backing
  • Alternative School Partnerships: Help facilitate connections with other prestigious US schools

Transcripts​

transcript-iddateone-line-summary
2025-06-23-china-education-partnership-financial-structuring-discussion2025-06-23China Education Partnership Financial Structuring Discussion
2025-06-20-alexander-sheng-china-education-acceleration2025-06-20Alexander Sheng China Education Project Acceleration
2025-06-12-austin-hangout-lina-lu-ari-crane-sherman-taylor2025-06-12Austin Hangout - Alpha Schools China Strategy with Lina Lu, Ari Crane, and Sherman Taylor
2025-06-16-alexed-china-education-founding-team-meeting2025-06-16Founding team meeting for AlexEd China education initiative with formal team structure established
2025-06-16-yard-house-dinner-shanghai-summit-planning2025-06-16Strategic dinner planning Alexander School launch and Shanghai educational summit timeline
2025-06-18-multiple-conversations-tulsa-digital2025-06-18Strategic planning conversations about educational initiatives and international expansion
2025-10-23-allen-zhao-china-education-update2025-10-23Update call on China education project progress including national licensing changes and exploring Gary's potential roles
2025-11-09-gary-sherman-china-education-national-license-us-partnership2025-11-09National license secured, US partnership requirements for diplomas, advanced AI platform development