Spartan bought by private equity firm
BY Staff Reports
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
1/08/13 at 9:39 AM
A private equity firm has purchased Tulsa aviation training school Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, the companies announced Tuesday morning.
Sterling Partners, based in Chicago, will take ownership of the Tulsa campus and school, which trains students for careers as aviation mechanics, pilots and technicians among other jobs. The equity firm is buying Spartan from majority owners John A. Walker, Blaine Walker and Justin Walker, according to a press release.
Spartan president and CEO Jeremy Gibson will maintain an ownership stake in the business and remain in his post. A team led by Gibson and John Walker bought Spartan from a subsidiary of Thomson Corp. in 2001.
Founded in 1928 by W.G. Skelly, Spartan has had more than 90,000 graduates work in aviation fields across the globe, officials said.
Spartan training facilities include more than 247,000 square feet of classroom, hangar and office space on three campuses at Tulsa International and JonesRiversideAirportat Jenks.
The companies did not disclose the sale price.
Associated Images:
Jeremy Gibson will remain as CEO and president of Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology after the school was purchased by a private equity firm. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World file
|
