Ashworth College Appoints Rob Klapper as New Chief Executive Officer

NORCROSS, Ga., Dec. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ashworth College, a leading provider of accredited, online educational programs, announced that it has appointed Rob Klapper as its new Chief Executive Officer.  Klapper follows Gary Keisling, who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Company.

An entrepreneurial executive known for growing early stage and Fortune 500 businesses, Klapper brings more than 20 years of leadership, marketing and operations experience to his new role at Ashworth (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/). Most recently, as CEO of insurance.com, he successfully grew the business and led its eventual sale to a larger strategic company.  In his prior role as CEO of One Day University, he grew a business focused on educating and entertaining lifelong learners. Prior to these roles, he spent 14 years at Charles Schwab running several key business units.

As CEO of Ashworth, Klapper's responsibilities extend to all global marketing, sales and operations functions, including multi-channel and digital marketing, product and business development, educational content and admissions/student services for Ashworth as well as its sister schools of James Madison High School, PCDI Canada, the New York Institute of Photography and the Sheffield School of Interior Design.

Jason Rosenberg, Principal of Sterling Partners, commented that "Rob has a proven track record of building and growing businesses and a unique blend of marketing, operations and leadership skills that will greatly benefit Ashworth.  In addition, he shares our passion for building great education companies whose mission is to improve the lives of our students.  We are very excited to have Rob as our CEO as we continue to build Ashworth into the premier online distance education company."

Klapper received his undergraduate degree from Franklin and Marshall College, and MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, and he sits on the board of directors for several companies.

He and his wife are the proud parents of a daughter in her final year of college and a son who is a high school senior. Running, photography, travel and listening to music are some of the activities he enjoys in his spare time.

About Ashworth College

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Ashworth College, a leading online school, has built a tradition of excellence spanning 25 years, offering students worldwide more than 115 online college degrees, online certificate programs and online high school diploma options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. For more information, visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu.

Ashworth is a Sterling Partners portfolio company. Sterling Partners is a leading private equity firm with over 25 years of experience partnering with entrepreneurs to build market-leading businesses. With approximately $5 billion of assets under management, Sterling Partners invests growth capital in industries with positive, long-term trends and provides ongoing support to management through a dedicated team of industry veterans, operators, strategy experts and human capital professionals. Sterling Partners is a leader in education, healthcare and business services and has offices in Chicago, Baltimore, and Miami. For more information, please visit www.sterlingpartners.com.

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SOURCE Ashworth College