Southern Technical Holdings, LLC dba Southern Technical College Acquires Southwest Florida College

ORLANDO, Fla., April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Technical Holdings, LLC, dba Southern Technical College ("Southern Tech"), has completed the acquisition of Southwest Florida College ("SWFC" or the "Company") from Sextant Education Corporation. Southern Tech's acquisition of SWFC is the second follow-on acquisition since an affiliate of The Wicks Group of Companies, L.L.C., a New York-based private equity firm, acquired Southern Tech in October 2012. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

SWFC is an accredited private institution offering career education through bachelor, associate and diploma programs in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte, and online. Established in 1974, the Company's academic program offerings and industry-aligned curricula focus on career training and education within the following industries: Allied Health, Business, Design, Education, Information Technology, Nursing and Legal Studies. The Company currently enrolls approximately 1,200 students.

With more than 30 years of professional experience in growing for-profit, post-secondary institutions, President and CEO, Pedro C. De Guzman, will strategically expand the Southern Tech footprint by unifying SWFC under the Southern Technical College name.

Mr. De Guzman commented, "This acquisition reinforces our commitment to provide quality training and education in Florida, and I am pleased to provide SWFC with a platform for future advancement. This will enable both Southern Tech and SWFC to deliver additional programs and opportunities to students, and resources to community and business partners."

Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP served as legal counsel to Southern Tech on the transaction.

About Southern Technical College (www.southerntech.edu)

Founded in 2000, Southern Technical College is a career education school dedicated to providing students with the best possible career training and education in a student-centered environment. The College was founded to combine traditional and job-practical teaching techniques in the areas of allied health sciences and applied technology. Delivered in a dynamic and professional environment, the curricula are designed to deliver intensive, hands-on training in core technical areas in combination with communication skills, interpersonal skills, and a broad-based general education.
Southern Tech is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education ("CIE") in the state of Florida and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools ("ACICS").

About The Wicks Group of Companies, L.L.C. (www.wicksgroup.com)

The Wicks Group of Companies, L.L.C. is a private equity firm based in New York City that invests in lower-middle-market companies operating in selected segments of the information, education and media industries principally in the United States and Canada. Since its founding in 1989, Wicks has invested over $1 billion of capital in 28 platform companies and approximately 100 add-on acquisitions. The firm has applied a consistent investment strategy since its founding, partnering with high-quality, experienced management teams to build businesses both organically and through acquisitions.

About Southwest Florida College (www.swfc.edu)

Established in 1974, Southwest Florida College is an accredited private institution committed to offering students career-focused programs that are relevant to employers' needs. With campuses in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Port Charlotte, Tampa, and Online, the College prepares students for success in today's most demanding careers. Southwest Florida College offers degree and diploma programs in Allied Health, Business, Design, Education, Information Technology, Legal Studies and Nursing, as well as GED Prep. Program offerings vary by campus; call 877-820-7306 or visit www.swfc.edu for more information.

SOURCE Southern Technical Holdings, LLC