Cypress, CA December 04, 2013 – Trident University International (TUI), a leader in online education offering Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees, has announced that Mr. George Harbison has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Harbison has an extensive finance background, including many years of CFO-level experience in the education services sector. Andy Vaughn, President and CEO, states, “Trident is fortunate to have secured the services of such an experienced and well-respected financial executive. I look forward to working with George and the rest of TUI’s team to grow the University by successfully providing academic excellence and compassionate commitment to 8,000 students currently enrolled in one of Trident’s three Ph.D. programs, seven graduate programs, five undergraduate degrees, or 21 certificate programs.”
Most recently, Mr. Harbison served as Chief Financial Officer of I Drive Safely, LLC, a Carlsbad, CA based eLearning company that provides online driver’s education, traffic school, and automobile safety programs nationally.
In 2003, Mr. Harbison entered the education services sector when he was named Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Education Corporation (USEC), a newly formed, private-equity backed company involved in the acquisition and operation of postsecondary schools. From 2003 to 2008, USEC grew from seven to sixteen campuses, with annual revenue growing from $32 million to over $170 million. In September 2008, USEC was sold to Chicago-based DeVry Inc. for $290 million.
In 2010, Mr. Harbison was promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer of DeVry’s Healthcare Group, consisting of USEC (subsequently renamed Carrington Colleges Group, Inc.), Ross University (owner of Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, both located in the Caribbean), Chamberlain School of Nursing, and American University of the Caribbean (located on the island of St. Maarten). DeVry Healthcare Group revenue exceeded $550 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Harbison was CFO of Real Mex Restaurants (owner of the El Torito, Acapulco, and Chevy’s Mexican restaurant brands). He was also CFO of London-based Hilton Group PLC’s U.S. gaming company (Ladbrokes USA). At the time, Ladbrokes USA was the largest operator of pari-mutuel gaming venues in the United States with annual handle in excess of $1 billion.
Mr. Harbison is an honor graduate of Kenyon College, and holds an MBA (with honors) from the University of Michigan.
About Trident University International
Founded in 1998, Trident University International (TUI) is a leading online postsecondary university serving all adult learners. Trident uses traditional case-based learning in a proven online setting to teach critical thinking skills so students earn high-quality baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. TUI offers academic excellence: over 80% of its faculty members have doctoral degrees. TUI offers a real-world, practical curriculum that provides students with the tools to enhance their lives and help further their careers. Please visit www.trident.edu, join our Facebook page or call Trident University International at to learn more about Trident’s wide range of bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. programs.
