Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of post-secondary education services focusing on higher access to higher education, has appointed Douglas C. Abts as the company's senior vice president, strategy and corporate development.
Reporting to chief executive officer, Andrew Clark, Abts will be responsible for coordinating the development of Bridgepoint Education's direction at both the strategic and tactical levels to drive cutting-edge innovation and educational outcomes. He will collaborate with the company's executive and senior management teams, as well as key internal and external personnel to establish strategic direction, recommend strategy changes and manage strategic partnerships.
"I'm thrilled to be joining Andrew Clark and the talented team at Bridgepoint Education," said Abts. "They have created a compelling value proposition for students looking to improve their lives through an affordable, accessible, high quality education; and have also had a significant positive impact on the communities they touch. I plan to bring additional analytical rigor and long-term strategic focus to Bridgepoint's corporate development activities, and work with the team to build on a growing legacy of successful student outcomes."
Before joining Bridgepoint Education, Abts spent seven years at Science Applications International Corporation in San Diego, most recently serving as corporate vice president for mergers and acquisitions. He previously held the positions of vice president for strategic development and business development manager.
Abts also spent six years in the United States Navy, where he served his country as a SEAL Team Operations Officer.
Abts earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Stanford University. He is a San Diego native and lives in Scripps Ranch with his wife and two children.
About Bridgepoint Education
Bridgepoint Education's postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in such disciplines as business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education's regionally accredited academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations at 858.668.2580.