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VISTA COLLEGE LEADER NAMED ONE OF THIS YEAR'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN EDUCATION
EL PASO, Texas – June 28, 2010: Jim Tolbert, the leader of Vista College, which offers training in healthcare, business, technology, massage therapy and other career trades, was recognized as one of the most influential people in career education in the May/June edition of Career College Central, a bimonthly magazine that covers the career college industry. Career College Central's recognition highlights Tolbert's tenure and his commitment in the education sector. "My goal today is to run and grow a successful career school in terms of student outcomes, employee satisfaction.... In this way, I hope to continue to influence the college career sector by being a model participant," Tolbert told the magazine. Tolbert began his career as the founder and CEO of the Career College Loan Company, then became the chief financial officer and partner in Virginia College, and went on to become the chairman of the Career College Association, a membership organization of accredited, private, postsecondary schools, institutes, colleges and universities that provide career-specific educational programs. With more than 14 years in career education, he now leads Vista College, which has campuses here in El Paso as well as other campuses throughout Texas, Utah and New Mexico. "Mr. Tolbert is a visionary who has the best interest of our students and the state of education at heart," said Antonio Rico, the campus director in El Paso. "He is a conscious leader who stands on the front line with students, educators and administrators to ensure educational success."
About Vista College |
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COMPUTER CAREER CENTER, A DIVISION OF VISTA COLLEGE EXPANDS CAMPUSES TO BETTER SERVE STUDENTS
El Paso, Texas – January 4, 2010: Computer Career Center, a division of Vista College, ("Vista College") today announced that it has expanded two campuses and relocated another to meet growing demands for the school's healthcare, vocational nursing, business and technology occupational education training programs at its, Amarillo, El Paso and Lubbock Texas locations. "It is with great excitement that we announce these expansions to our facilities," said Jim Tolbert, CEO, Vista College. "Vista College has earned a reputation as a top provider of career education because we are committed to giving students the best learning environment – the best facilities, the best equipment, and the best instructors – to ensure they receive the education and skills they need to be successful in their next career move." "Vista College's growth is indicative of just how much its campus communities value both the school and the caliber of its graduates," Mr. Tolbert added. "Over the past two years, enrollment in Vista College's programs has jumped 115%. During that time, the career college has added several new programs, including International Trade, Dental Assisting, Computer Security, and expanded into online class offerings." Campus expansions in El Paso and Lubbock In addition, Vista College's Lubbock campus has expanded its existing 12,600 square foot facility by some 60 percent to support high demand for its career training programs in healthcare, vocational nursing, business administration, and technology to provide space additions including lecture rooms, medical labs, offices, and space for additional services to students. New Facility in Amarillo
About Computer Career Center, A Division of Vista College |
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COMPUTER CAREER CENTER CHANGES NAME TO REFLECT VISTA COLLEGE BRAND
Dallas, Texas – November 1, 2009: Education Futures Group, LLC, the parent company of Computer Career Center (CCC), a provider of a wide range of accredited post-secondary career training programs, today announced that it has renamed the school's four campuses. Effective immediately, CCC will now be called Computer Career Center, a Division of Vista College. CCC has locations in Amarillo, El Paso, and Lubbock, Texas, as well as in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The marketing effort brings together, under the Vista College brand, all career schools owned by Education Futures Group, enabling them to leverage common operating resources and a highly seasoned management team led by Jim Tolbert, CEO, and Alan Clay, Chief Operating Officer. Both men have devoted much of their careers to developing and running successful career training schools. "CCC has an outstanding reputation as a provider of top-quality career education," said Mr. Tolbert. "Its new name better reflects the school's standing as a college and the horizon of new opportunities it provides to students. For the past 25 years, CCC has helped thousands of students change careers or The school currently offers a wide array of programs – including healthcare, business, computer technology, and legal – that award diplomas and associate degrees. Going forward, CCC will continue to build on its heritage of high-quality education and hands-on training. The school plans to broaden its "Vista College's ultimate goal is to become the leading regional provider of post-secondary career college education," Mr. Tolbert said. "Employers hire our graduates time and again because they have the education and real-world experience to succeed." Toward that end, Vista College plans to open additional locations in the region, enabling students to tap an even broader network of campuses and program offerings. The career college currently operates in Utah, Texas and New Mexico.
About Computer Career Center, A Division of Vista College |
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JIM TOLBERT ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF HIGHER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Birmingham, AL (August 4, 2006) - Jim Tolbert has been elected as chairman of the board by the members of the Career College Association (CCA), the premier association representing America's accredited for-profit colleges and universities. Located in Washington, DC, CCA is one of the nation's largest education associations with a membership of 1,450. An industry veteran, Mr. Tolbert is the Chief Executive Officer of Education Futures Group, LLC, a firm located in Birmingham that focuses exclusively on the acquisition and operation of post-secondary education operating companies. The firm recently completed the acquisition of Computer Career Center, El Paso, Texas. Prior to forming Education Futures Group, he served as the chief financial officer of Virginia College, Birmingham and was a shareholder until its recapitalization in 2004. Mr. Tolbert has served three years on the board and is a second generation college owner. "I feel very fortunate to assume the leadership of our association during a period of such tremendous success," said Mr. Tolbert. Mr. Tolbert's father, Jack F. Tolbert, served 25 years ago as the president of the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools, the predecessor of the Career College Association. About CCA |
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CERTIFIED CAREERS INSTITUTE TO BECOME VISTA COLLEGE
Clearfield, Utah – October X, 2008: Certified Careers Institute (CCI) will change its name to Vista College on Wednesday, October 21, 2008. The private post-secondary career college will unveil its new brand at a celebratory event open to the public at its main campus in Clearfield. “This is a very exciting milestone,” said Gary Shandrew, president. “Our new name better reflects our standing as a college and the new horizon of opportunities possible to envision and achieve. Over the last 25 years, we have helped thousands of area students successfully change careers or advance in a healthcare, business administration or technical field. Employers hire our graduates time and again because they have the right knowledge and preparation.” Vista College has ambitious plans to build on its heritage of high-quality education and hands-on training. Its initiatives include the development and introduction of degree-granting programs, new career programs and new classes, and increasing its number of online classes – all while offering students the same flexible class schedules, small class sizes and personalized instruction from teachers with deep industry experience. The school also has launched a new Web site, www.vistacollege.edu. “Our ultimate goal is to become the leading regional provider of post-secondary career college education,” Mr. Shandrew said. Toward that end, Vista College plans to open other locations in the Rocky Mountain and Central United States, enabling students to tap an even broader network of campuses and program offerings. The school currently has campuses in Clearfield and Salt Lake City.
About Vista College Vista College is a private post-secondary career college offering a variety of training programs in today’s most in-demand fields. These include allied health, business administration, network technology and website/graphic design. Vista College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). Its locations in Clearfield and Salt Lake City are part of a growing network of Vista College campuses throughout the Rocky Mountain and Central United States. For more information about Vista College, visit www.vistacollege.edu. |
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PROSPECT PARTNERS’ EDUCATION PLATFORM ACQUIRES THIRD POST-SECONDARY OPERATING SCHOOL, EXPANDS PRESENCE IN TEXAS
CHICAGO, Ill.—August 14, 2007: Post-secondary education provider Education Futures Group, LLC (EFG), is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Amarillo and Lubbock locations of Texas Computer Training Institute, Inc. (TCTI). For EFG, which operates for-profit career schools in secondary markets in the United States, the management-led acquisition is the latest move in the company’s expansion into the Central and Rocky Mountain regions. Since June 2006, EFG has purchased two other career education schools, Computer Career Center of El Paso, Texas, and Certified Careers Institute of Salt Lake City, Utah. TCTI provides specialized education in three distinct areas: computer training, allied health administration and office administration. EFG made the acquisition of the campuses in partnership with TCTI owner Trey Owen, who will continue to manage the school’s daily operations. “TCTI expands our presence in West Texas to two exciting new locations we feel are a natural fit for the company,” says Jim Tolbert, EFG’s Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to working with Trey to grow the school and its programs to their fullest potential under the EFG umbrella.” A platform company of lower-middle-market private equity firm Prospect Partners, LLC, EFG seeks to grow in large part through the addition of new campuses, either organically or through acquisition. Computer Career Center, which EFG acquired in June, 2006, recently expanded into New Mexico, opening a branch campus in Las Cruces. Certified Careers Institute has locations in Salt Lake City and Clearfield, Utah. EFG continues to seek acquisitions of smaller accredited post-secondary education operating companies with revenues between $1 million and $10 million in secondary markets across the United States, where the target companies could benefit from an operationally-oriented buyer with a strong capital base.
About Prospect Partners, LLC Chicago-based Prospect Partners, LLC ("Prospect Partners") is a leading lower-middle-market private equity firm managing two funds totaling $270 million. Prospect Partners focuses exclusively on management-led leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations of niche market leaders with revenues typically between $10 and $30 million. Since its 1998 inception, the firm has invested in more than 55 companies acress a broad range of niche consumer, commerical, specialty distribution and select service markets nationwide. Limited partners of Prospect Partners II, L.P. include Goldman, Sachs & Co., General Motors Investment Management Corporation, JPMorgan Asset Management, the University of Notre Dame, Wilshire Associates, Inc., Private Advisors, LLC and the Northern Trust Corporation. For more information on Prospect Partners, please visit www.prospect-partners.com. |
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EDUCATION FUTURES GROUP ACQUIRES POST-SECONDARY OPERATING COMPANY
Birmingham, Ala.—June 8, 2007: Education Futures Group, LLC (EFG), an operator of smaller accredited for-profit post-secondary schools in secondary markets in the United States, today announced the acquisition of Certified Careers Institute of Salt Lake City, Utah from Landmark Education Services, Inc., a division of Landmark Communications. Certified Careers Institute is the second education operating group acquired by EFG in the last year and broadens the company’s reach from Texas and New Mexico into the Mountain states. Founded in 1983, Certified Careers Institute provides specialized education that prepares students for careers in a variety of allied health-related fields, including employment as medical assistants, medical office specialists, dental assistants and massage therapists. Certified Careers Institute has campuses in Salt Lake City and Clearfield, Utah and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). In conjunction with the acquisition, career school operating executive Dr. David Vaillancourt has been named President, effective immediately. “As we expand the EFG platform, we seek to add new campuses either organically or by making acquisitions of institutions with strong track records of educational quality,” says Jim Tolbert, EFG’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are very excited about the potential to further build Certified Careers Institute and its programs. David Vaillancourt has deep experience in career school management, including online education, and is a great addition to Certified Careers Institutes’ management team. We look forward to working together to create wonderful opportunities for the school’s employees and students.” EFG’s management team has extensive backgrounds in career school ownership and operations. Prior to Education Futures Group, Mr. Tolbert was the Chief Financial Officer of Virginia College of Birmingham, Alabama, now a leading post-secondary career school system in the southeastern United States. Earlier, he was the Founder and CEO of Career College Loan Company, a specialty consumer finance company, providing tuition financing to the for-profit education sector. Mr. Tolbert also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Career College Association, of which he has been re-elected for the 2007-2008 term. Mr. Tolbert is joined by Lee Chayes, President. Previously, Ms. Chayes was Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Computer Career Center of El Paso, Texas, which EFG acquired, with management, in 2006. Computer Career Center offers diversified post-secondary education programs in such fields as information technology, allied health, business and legal. Computer Career Center now operates three branch campuses, including one opened earlier this year in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Dr. Vaillancourt’s 20-plus years of experience spans curriculum development, administration and instruction at all education levels. He also served as Virginia College’s first president of the school’s online campus. Most recently, he was consulting, developing and evaluating Web-based instructional programs for a variety of postsecondary institutions. EFG, a portfolio company of Chicago lower-middle-market private equity firm Prospect Partners, LLC, continues to seek acquisitions of smaller accredited post-secondary education operating companies with revenues between $1 million and $10 million in secondary markets across the United States, where the target companies could benefit from an operationally-oriented buyer with a strong capital base.
About Education Futures Group, LLC Education Futures Group is an operator focused exclusively on the acquisition of smaller accredited post-secondary schools in secondary markets in the United States where the target companies could benefit from an operationally-oriented buyer with a strong capital base. Its education operating companies include Computer Career Center of El Paso, Texas and Certified Careers Institute of Salt Lake City, Utah. About Prospect Partners, LLC Chicago-based Prospect Partners, LLC ("Prospect Partners") is a leading lower-middle-market private equity firm managing two funds totaling $270 million. Prospect Partners focuses exclusively on management-led leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations of niche market leaders with revenues typically between $10 and $30 million. Since its 1998 inception, the firm has invested in more than 55 companies acress a broad range of niche consumer, commerical, specialty distribution and select service markets nationwide. Limited partners of Prospect Partners II, L.P. include Goldman, Sachs & Co., General Motors Investment Management Corporation, JPMorgan Asset Management, the University of Notre Dame, Wilshire Associates, Inc., Private Advisors, LLC and the Northern Trust Corporation. For more information on Prospect Partners, please visit www.prospect-partners.com. |
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TEXAS POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL BECOMES FIRST HOLDING OF EDUCATION FUTURES GROUP
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.—June 1, 2006: Prospect Partners, LLC and veteran post-secondary school operator Jim Tolbert are pleased to announce the acquisition with management of Computer Career Center of El Paso, Texas. Computer Career Center is the first investment of Education Futures Group, LLC, formed last year by Prospect Partners and Mr. Tolbert to acquire accredited, post-secondary schools throughout the United States and abroad. Computer Career Center was founded in 1985. It provides specialized post-secondary career training and occupational education programs to help students in southwest Texas achieve their career goals. The school offers a wide array of programs – including allied health, business, IT and legal curricula that award associate degrees and diplomas. Prospect Partners and Mr. Tolbert partnered with Computer Career Center President Lee Chayes in the acquisition. Ms. Chayes, who will continue to oversee the company as President, is a shareholder in the new company. Mr. Tolbert is Chief Executive Officer both of Education Futures Group and of Computer Career Center. “We are very impressed with Lee and the school she has built,” says Mr. Tolbert. “Computer Career Center is a high-quality, growing school in a dynamic market and is led by an experienced operator and team.” Adds Maneesh K. Chawla, a Principal at Prospect Partners, “Computer Career Center is a great fit with the Education Futures Group strategy and will be an excellent platform for growth. As we expand, we will look at adding new campuses either organically or by making additional acquisitions that meet our criteria.” Prospect Partners and Education Futures Group will focus on acquisitions of smaller accredited post-secondary education operating companies – those with revenues between $1 million and $10 million – in secondary markets across the United States, where the target companies could benefit from an operationally-oriented buyer with a strong capital base. “We are experienced buyers in the education market and can navigate today’s regulatory hurdles to complete a transaction,” Mr. Chawla says. “Jim is a seasoned executive with tremendous experience, capability and credibility in the post-secondary education industry. He also has a highly visible leadership position within the sector as the Chairman of the Career College Association.” Prior to forming Education Futures Group, Mr. Tolbert was Chief Financial Officer and a minority owner of Education Corporation of America, a leading operator of post-secondary schools in the southeastern United States and a former portfolio company of Prospect Partners. Prospect Partners and Education Corporation of America management, including Mr. Tolbert, formed the company in 1999 to acquire Virginia College, then an $11 million post-secondary technical school with two campuses in Alabama. Over the next five years, Education Corporation of America grew to nine campuses in four southeastern states and approximately $60 million in revenues. In December 2004, Prospect Partners and management recapitalized Education Corporation of America with another financial buyer, which became the lead investor in the company.
About Education Futures Group, LLC Education Futures Group is an operator focused exclusively on the acquisition of smaller accredited post-secondary schools in secondary markets in the United States where the target companies could benefit from an operationally-oriented buyer with a strong capital base. Its education operating companies include Computer Career Center of El Paso, Texas and Certified Careers Institute of Salt Lake City, Utah. About Prospect Partners, LLC Chicago-based Prospect Partners, LLC ("Prospect Partners") is a leading lower-middle-market private equity firm managing two funds totaling $270 million. Prospect Partners focuses exclusively on management-led leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations of niche market leaders with revenues typically between $10 and $30 million. Since its 1998 inception, the firm has invested in more than 55 companies acress a broad range of niche consumer, commerical, specialty distribution and select service markets nationwide. Limited partners of Prospect Partners II, L.P. include Goldman, Sachs & Co., General Motors Investment Management Corporation, JPMorgan Asset Management, the University of Notre Dame, Wilshire Associates, Inc., Private Advisors, LLC and the Northern Trust Corporation. For more information on Prospect Partners, please visit www.prospect-partners.com. |
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EDUCATION FUTURES GROUP, LLC FORMED TO ACQUIRE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION COMPANIES
CHICAGO, Ill.June 20, 2005: Jim Tolbert, the former Chief Financial Officer of Education Corporation of America ("ECA"), a leading operator of post-secondary schools in the southeastern United States,has formed EDUCATION FUTURES GROUP, LLC ("EFG"), a new firm focused exclusively on the acquisition of accredited post-secondary education operating companies throughout the United States. Education Futures Group has teamed with Prospect Partners, LLC, a private equity investment firm headquartered in Chicago, to help it identify and qualify acquisition opportunities. Mr. Tolbert and Prospect Partners were partners and investors in ECA from 1999 through 2004. Prospect Partners and Education Futures Group will focus on acquisition opportunities where the target companies could benefit from an operationally-oriented buyer with a strong capital base. Most important, Prospect Partners and EFG are experienced buyers in the education market and can navigate today's regulatory hurdles to complete a transaction. EFG will focus on smaller schools - revenues between $1 million and $10 million in secondary markets across the United States. Prospect Partners and EFG have committed over $10 million of equity capital to fund these acquisitions. "Jim is a seasoned executive with tremendous experience, capability and credibility in the post-secondary education industry. Jim and the Education Futures team will be excellent partners to smaller post-secondary schools," says Louis W. Kenter, a Principal at Prospect Partners. "The success of ECA speaks to his experience building and growing post-secondary schools. Jim has a great ability to anticipate, identify and profitably capitalize on opportunities in the marketplace which foster growth." Mr. Tolbert left ECA in January, 2005, to pursue new opportunities, including the formation of Education Futures Group, LLC. "I am excited about the opportunity to once again team with Prospect Partners to identify post-secondary education companies with exceptional potential," Mr. Tolbert says. Mr. Tolbert continues to serve on the Executive Committee as Vice Chairman and on the Board of Directors of the Career College Association. Prior to forming Education Futures Group, Mr. Tolbert was Chief Financial Officer and a minority owner of Education Corporation of America,a former portfolio company of Prospect Partners. Prospect Partners, and ECA management, including Mr. Tolbert, formed ECA in 1999 to acquire Virginia College, then an $11 million post-secondary technical school with two campuses in Alabama. Over the next five years, ECA grew to nine campuses in four southeastern states and approximately $60 million in revenues. In December 2004, Prospect Partners and management recapitalized ECA with another financial buyer, which became the lead investor in the company.
About Education Futures Group, LLC Education Futures Group is an operator focused exclusively on the acquisition of smaller accredited post-secondary schools in secondary markets in the United States where the target companies could benefit from an operationally-oriented buyer with a strong capital base. Its education operating companies include Computer Career Center of El Paso, Texas and Certified Careers Institute of Salt Lake City, Utah. About Prospect Partners, LLC Chicago-based Prospect Partners, LLC ("Prospect Partners") is a leading lower-middle-market private equity firm managing two funds totaling $270 million. Prospect Partners focuses exclusively on management-led leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations of niche market leaders with revenues typically between $10 and $30 million. Since its 1998 inception, the firm has invested in more than 55 companies acress a broad range of niche consumer, commerical, specialty distribution and select service markets nationwide. Limited partners of Prospect Partners II, L.P. include Goldman, Sachs & Co., General Motors Investment Management Corporation, JPMorgan Asset Management, the University of Notre Dame, Wilshire Associates, Inc., Private Advisors, LLC and the Northern Trust Corporation. For more information on Prospect Partners, please visit www.prospect-partners.com. |