HERNDON, Va., May 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- K12 Inc. (NYSE:LRN), the leader in K-12 curriculum and online
school programs, today announced that its CEO and Founder, Ron
Packard, is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The
Year(R) 2008 Award in the Greater Washington Region. According to
Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who
demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation,
financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and
communities. Packard was selected as a finalist from nearly 100
nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be
announced at a special gala event on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at the
Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner in McLean, VA.
Ron Packard founded K12 Inc. in 1999 with the vision to provide
every child access to an excellent education regardless of their
geographic, financial or demographic circumstances. Since then the
company has grown to become the nation's leader in K-12 curriculum and
online school programs and is widely regarded as the highest quality
provider in the industry.
In 2007, Packard received the Education Industry Association's
James P. Boyle Entrepreneurial Leadership Award for exceptional
leadership and entrepreneurship to improve educational opportunities
for children.
Before starting K12, Packard served as a vice president of
Knowledge Universe and CEO of Knowledge Schools. Previously, he worked
for McKinsey & Company as well as for Goldman Sachs in mergers and
acquisitions. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Mechanical Engineering
with honors from the University of California at Berkeley and an
M.B.A. with honors from the University of Chicago.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program
celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year. The program has expanded to
recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries
throughout the world.
Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award winners
in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst
& Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at
the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 15,
2008. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young
Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of
high-growth, market-leading companies.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The
Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
and SAP America as national sponsors. In Greater Washington sponsors
include HSBC Bank, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Reznick Group,
Lockton Companies and the Washington Business Journal.
About K12 Inc.
K12 Inc., a technology-based education company, is the leading
provider of K-12 curriculum and online education programs. K12
provides its high quality curriculum and academic services for use in
online schools, traditional classrooms, "blended" school programs
(online and classroom instruction), and other education programs.
Over 40,000 students in 17 states are enrolled in online public
schools that use the K12 program. Additionally, K12 Inc. operates the
K12 International Academy, an accredited, diploma-granting online
private school serving full-time and part-time students worldwide. K12
also provides its complete curriculum and individual courses directly
to families, educators and other consumers.
K12's mission is to provide any child the curriculum and tools to
maximize success in life, regardless of geographic, financial, or
demographic circumstances. The K12 program combines a cognitive
research-based curriculum with individualized, one-to-one learning
approaches for students of all abilities in numerous education
settings. More information can be found at www.K12.com
About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most
prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a
difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial
activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of
people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and
achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind,
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are
building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses,
recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs
in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction
and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our
shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a
difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider
communities achieve potential.
For more information, please visit www.ey.com.
(C) 2008 K12 Inc. K12 is a registered trademark, and the K12 logo,
Unleash the xPotential and xPotential are trademarks of K12 Inc. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE: K12 Inc.
K12 Inc.
Jeff Kwitowski
Vice President, Public Relations
703-483-7281
jkwitowski@k12.com