BrightStar Education Group
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BrightStar Education Group, Inc. Names Jim Haga as CEO
WASHINGTON, DC, April 25, 2005 – BrightStar Education Group, Inc. ("BrightStar") announced today that Jim Haga has been named its Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Through its subsidiaries, BrightStar operates for-profit post-secondary education schools offering a variety of curricula. BrightStar is a portfolio company of Arlington Capital Partners. Mr. Haga will lead BrightStar in its organic growth strategy of new curricula and campuses, as well as its consideration of potential strategic investments and acquisitions. Arlington recently committed $50 million of equity capital towards its BrightStar consolidation effort.
“We are pleased to have Jim join BrightStar as we look to grow the Company in this very attractive segment of the education industry” said Jeffrey Freed, a Partner of Arlington Capital Partners. “Throughout his career, Jim has demonstrated the ability to build businesses and create long-term value for the companies with which he has been associated.”
John Bates, a Principal of Arlington Capital Partners, said: “We believe Jim has the right set of skills and background to lead BrightStar in the creation of a leading post-secondary education company. In addition, we believe that he will maintain BrightStar’s emphasis on positive student outcomes, which are fundamental to our mission statement.”
"I am excited to be leading BrightStar’s next phase of growth in partnership with Arlington," said Haga. "With the Institute of Technology transaction recently completed, we have an excellent start in executing our strategy" continued Haga.
Mr. Haga has over 20 years of experience in the for-profit post-secondary education industry. Prior to joining BrightStar, Mr. Haga, 45, had been the Group Vice President of Operations of Kaplan Higher Education Corporation, a division of Kaplan, Inc. and The Washington Post Company. In this capacity, Mr. Haga was responsible for 28 campuses in 6 states, offering curricula in allied health, information technology, criminal justice and business. Prior to this position, Mr. Haga had served in several other positions at Kaplan Higher Education, including Regional Director of Operations, Executive Director, and Director of Admissions. Previously, Mr. Haga worked at ITT Technical Institute and National American University. Mr. Haga's background and experience in the industry position him well to lead the growth strategy and manage the operations of BrightStar, and to maintain the regulatory compliance of its accredited entities.
BrightStar Education Group, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, is pursuing a consolidation of for-profit post-secondary education schools, with a focus in allied health, business, technology, culinary and other vocational curricula. Arlington Capital Partners has committed $50 million of equity capital towards its BrightStar post-secondary education consolidation effort.
About BrightStar Education Group, Inc.:
BrightStar Education Group is pursuing a consolidation of for-profit post-secondary education schools, with a focus in allied health, business, technology, culinary and other vocational curricula. Arlington Capital Partners has committed $50 million of equity capital towards its BrightStar post-secondary education consolidation effort. BrightStar’s strategy includes organic growth through additional curricula and new campuses, the cross-utilization of curricula among separate schools, and the implementation of initiatives to standardize, replicate, and leverage successful internal processes. BrightStar’s strategy will also include strategic investments and acquisitions. BrightStar currently provides post-secondary educational services to in excess of 2,000 students.
About Arlington Capital Partners:
Arlington Capital Partners (www.arlingtoncap.com) is a Washington, DC-based private equity fund with over $450 million of committed capital focused on middle market buyout investment opportunities in growth industries including the business services and outsourcing, aerospace/defense, IT and engineering services, media, education and training, healthcare services, and specialized manufacturing and related industries. The firm’s professionals have a unique combination of operating and private equity experience that enables Arlington to be a value-added investor. Arlington invests in companies in partnership with high quality management teams that are motivated to establish and/or advance their company’s position as leading competitors in their field.
SOURCE: Arlington Capital Partners and BrightStar Education Group, Inc.
Contacts:
Arlington Capital Partners
Jeffrey Freed or John Bates
600 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Suite 660
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 337-7500
BrightStar Education Group, Inc.
Jim Haga
(402) 202-4399
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