Leeds Equity Partners, LLC, the New York-based private equity fund focused exclusively on investing in the Knowledge Industries, has appointed Stephen Fredette, former Chief Executive Officer of Assessment Technology Institute as an operating partner. In this role, Fredette will provide management and operating expertise to Leeds Equity’s portfolio companies and will help the firm identify and evaluate new investment opportunities in the education and training sectors.
Fredette has over 20 years of experience building, operating and growing education and training companies. Most recently, Fredette served as CEO of Assessment Technology Institute, a private equity owned nursing education company. Under his leadership, ATI experienced significant market share, revenue and EBITDA growth. Prior to ATI, Mr. Fredette held a variety of senior leadership roles at Kaplan, Electronic Systems Associates and LANSystems.
Jeffrey T Leeds, President and Co-Founder, Leeds Equity Partners, says: “We are delighted to have Steve join as a member of the Leeds Equity team. Steve’s extensive operating experience and deep relationships will contribute immensely towards our goal of offering strategic operating assistance to our portfolio companies.”
“Operational enhancement is core to our strategy, and we are very excited to have an outstanding operator like Steve joining our team,” says Robert A Bernstein, Senior Managing Director and Co-Founder, Leeds Equity Partners. “I have no doubt that Leeds Equity and our portfolio companies will significantly benefit from his experience creating long-term, sustainable value and his breadth and depth of knowledge and experience in our target sectors. We look forward to his contributions to the firm.”
“I have had the pleasure of assisting the Leeds Equity team on a number of projects and I am excited to work alongside such a talented group of professionals focused on an industry I am passionate about,” says Fredette. “Leeds Equity’s investment track record is exceptional, and I truly respect the firm’s sole focus on the knowledge industries, and in particular on improving student learning outcomes. I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success as the premier investor in the education sector.”
