CHARLES TOWN, W.Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2013--
American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: APEI) – parent company of American
Public University System (APUS) and Hondros
College, Nursing Programs – announced that its board of directors
has approved a plan for Harry T. Wilkins to lead the Company’s newest
subsidiary and strategic development efforts, and for Richard W.
Sunderland, Jr. to succeed Mr. Wilkins as APEI’s CFO.
Effective January 1, 2014, Harry T. Wilkins, the Company’s current
executive vice president and chief financial officer, will become CEO of
National Education Seminars, which operates Hondros College, Nursing
Programs. In addition, Mr. Wilkins will serve as APEI’s executive vice
president and chief development officer. Mr. Sunderland, currently the
APUS senior vice president of finance, has been appointed to succeed Mr.
Wilkins as executive vice president and chief financial officer of APEI
and APUS.
“For nearly ten years, Mr. Wilkins has served our institution with
tremendous distinction – we have greatly benefited from his extensive
financial, operational and business development experience,” stated Dr.
Wallace E. Boston, president and chief executive officer of American
Public Education, Inc. “We believe these capabilities make him
exceptionally qualified to lead Hondros College, Nursing Programs, as
well as continue to guide our efforts to consider and pursue strategic
investments and acquisitions.”
Mr. Wilkins joined APUS in January 2007 as CFO, after having served on
the APEI Board of Directors since December 2004 and the APUS Board of
Trustees since January 2005. Mr. Wilkins’ career experience also
includes financial and operational leadership as the former chief
financial officer and chief operating officer of Strayer Education, Inc.
(the education services holding company that owns Strayer University, a
regionally accredited university with campus-based and online
operations). In addition, Mr. Wilkins previously served in other
financial, executive and business development roles at the accounting
firms Wooden & Benson and Deloitte & Touche.
Richard “Rick” W. Sunderland, Jr. has been appointed to succeed Mr.
Wilkins as chief financial officer of APEI and APUS. “Rick’s experience
as senior vice president of APUS and previously as a consultant to APUS,
along with his proven track record as CFO of several growth companies
makes him the ideal candidate for our chief financial officer,” stated
Dr. Boston. “Moreover, his belief in the importance of innovation to
drive efficiency and his dedication to our mission serves as a strong
strategic and cultural complement to our executive team and to our
institutions.”
Prior to joining APUS, Mr. Sunderland served as the chief financial
officer of NovaSom, Inc., building the company’s corporate financial
functions and providing strong financial leadership during a period of
rapid growth from 2008 to 2010. In addition, Mr. Sunderland served as
chief financial officer of Active Day, Inc. between 2005 and 2008, and
in various roles, including as controller, senior vice president and
chief financial officer, at NeighborCare, Inc. from 1993 to 2004. Mr.
Sunderland has over 20 years of experience at leading financial and
operational functions, as well as in building the financial operations
of emerging growth companies. During his career, he also served as
senior manager at Price Waterhouse (now PwC).
American Public Education, Inc.
American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: APEI) is a leading education
services provider founded to prepare adult learners for service and
leadership in a diverse global economy. The Company offers respected,
innovative and affordable educational programs and services to students,
universities and partner organizations through wholly owned
subsidiaries: American
Public University System (APUS) and Hondros
College, Nursing Programs. These institutions serve over 100,000
adult learners worldwide and offer more than 90 degree programs in
fields ranging from homeland security, military studies, intelligence,
and criminal justice to technology, business administration, public
health, nursing and liberal arts. For additional information, please
visit http://AmericanPublicEducation.com.
American Public University System is accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission (HLC) and a member of the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org,
312-263-0456). Hondros College is an accredited member of the
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), 750
First Street, NE Suite 980, Washington, DC 20002 (www.acics.org,
202-336-6780). HLC and ACICS are accrediting agencies recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education
Accreditation.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this press release regarding American Public
Education, Inc., or its subsidiaries, that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements based on current expectations, assumptions,
estimates and projections about American Public Education, Inc. and the
industry. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to differ
materially from such statements. Forward-looking statements can be
identified by words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could",
"estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should", "will" and "would".
These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, our
expected leadership transition. Actual results could differ materially
from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a
result of various factors, including the various risks described in the
"Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and other filings with
the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any
forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information
becomes available or other events occur in the future.
Source: American Public Education, Inc.
American Public Education, Inc.
Christopher L. Symanoskie
Vice
President, Investor Relations
703-334-3880