I don't know much about Sylvan but here is a press release from them. They are into technology-based testing in a big way. Just to add some awareness of other players.
I held TASA for a long time but sold a few weeks ago. They are in a market that is receiving more and more attention and funds and I have learned from other experiences that when a market expands, most of the growth goes to the bigger, better established companies. Of course there are exceptions but I don't want to relive past mistakes with this one.
I have also noticed Bob's value estimates have continually decreased as he has got to know the company better, even though the comments are all positive.
The comments on this thread about the Drake acquisition have been positive but there has been selling in this stock for the past month or so and I see that as a yellow (if not red) flag.
I also shared a taxi in NYC this past weekend with a children's books editor from McGraw-Hill. She hadn't heard of TASA but what struck me was the size of some of the players that are generating new materials as the schools switch back to phonics. When I read the press release from Sylvan it made me realize that there are some big, serious competitors, in print, and online.
Good luck to everyong. I'm not knocking TASA, just explaining why one long time holder has bailed out.
Stuart.
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Deb Clifford Joins Sylvan Prometric as VP of Channel Services
Deb Clifford Joins Sylvan Prometric as VP of Channel Services
BALTIMORE (Aug. 5) BUSINESS WIRE -Aug. 5, 1998--Deb Clifford, a well
known Information Technology (IT) training industry executive, has been
named vice president of Channel Services of Sylvan Prometric(tm), the
global leader in delivery of computer-based certification testing for
the IT industry.
Clifford is responsible for creation and implementation of a wide
range of value-added services Sylvan provides to its worldwide network
of more than 2,100 Authorized Prometric Testing Centers(tm) (APTCs) and
Sylvan Technology Centers. (STCs). Clifford's Channel Services unit
works on an on-going basis with managers of centers delivering testing
for IT certification, professional licensure and academic testing.
"Deb Clifford brings leadership and valuable experience to her role
directing and guiding the outstanding work now underway in our Channel
Services organization," said Steve Hoffman, president of Sylvan
Prometric, to whom she reports. "Her time as president of the
Information Technology Training Association (ITTA) and in the IT
training channel will help her spearhead our mission of planing for and
managing current and future requirements for APTCs and STCs. As chief
advocate and liaison for APTCs and STCs worldwide, she will direct our
management support efforts, which offer strategic direction, support,
assistance and training and which helps centers maximize secure test
delivery and deliver superior services to clients and candidates."
Prior to joining Sylvan, Clifford was vice president of Education at
IKON Office Solutions, Inc., a $4 billion independent marketer of
Office Technology solutions in North America and Europe, where she was
responsible for supporting and growing the education business within
the Technology Services unit. Her IT industry experience also includes
being a Certified Novell Instructor and later, vice president of the
HBM Technology Group, where she also managed the growth of education
business.
ITTA president from 1996 until this summer, Clifford remains on its
Board of Directors, where she is a charter member. She is also former
president of the Hartford (Conn.) Area Trainers (HAT). Clifford has
served on Advisory Boards of Microsoft ATEC, Novell Authorized
Education, Lotus Authorized Education, National Education Training
Group (NETG), and Virtual University Enterprises, and been on Sylvan's
Advisory Council since its inception. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania
State University where she earned her degree in Education.
Hoffman said Clifford's responsibilities had been previously managed
by Rick Kempton, who has taken on a new role as executive director of
Global Field Support. He said Kempton "opted to reduce his management
scope and remain in Utah, rather than relocating to corporate
headquarters in Baltimore. This lets Rick spend more time with his
family while continuing to help strengthen Channel Services by
supporting Deb in her new role and directing the efforts of the
worldwide Global Field Support team."
Sylvan Prometric is the technology-based testing division of Sylvan
Learning Systems(R), Inc. (NASDAQ: SLVN), the world's leading provider
of educational services to families, schools and industry. Sylvan
Prometric is the global leader in delivery of technology-based
assessment services for academic admissions and professional
licensure/certification, and in 1997 delivered more than 2.3 million
computer-based tests in 25 languages through its network of nearly
2,000 Authorized Prometric Testing Center and Sylvan Technology Centers
in 105 countries. Sylvan Prometric delivers standardized tests for more
than 150 clients, including virtually all major IT industry
certification programs. IT leaders partnering with Sylvan Prometric for
certification test delivery include Microsoft(R), Novell(R), Compaq(R),
Computer Associates(R), CompTIA(R), Lotus(R), IBM(R), Oracle(R),
Corel(R), Adobe(R), PictureTel(R), Sybase(R), Sun Microsystems(R),
AutoDesk(R) and many others.
Sylvan Learning Systems is a registered trademark and Sylvan Prometric
and Authorized Prometric Testing Centers are trademarks of Sylvan
Learning Systems, Inc., in the U.S. and Canada.
-0- bk/ny*
CONTACT: Press Contacts:
Chuck Wilson
Sylvan Prometric, 410/843-8476
charles.wilson@educate.com
or
The Kaminer Group
David A. Kaminer
914/684-1934
dkaminer@kamgrp.com
KEYWORD: MARYLAND
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EDUCATION COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED
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