September 23, 2020

Gauge Capital Announces Appointment of Bill Hansen and Ron Packard as Education Sector Operating Partners

Southlake, TX – Gauge Capital (“Gauge” or “the Firm”), a leading growth-oriented lower middle market private equity firm, announces the appointment of Bill Hansen and Ron Packard as Operating Partners effective immediately. Mr. Hansen and Mr. Packard will advise on Gauge’s current education portfolio companies, in addition to providing insight on new potential opportunities.

Mr. Hansen is a veteran in the education industry with over 35 years of experience. He currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Strada Education Network, a national social impact organization dedicated to helping all students build more purposeful pathways to and from postsecondary education. Prior to assuming his current role in July 2013, Mr. Hansen worked for 15 years in the public sector and 20 years in the education business and nonprofit sectors. He served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education from 2001-2003, acting as the department’s chief operating officer and managing 5,000 employees and a $100 billion annual budget. Previously at the Education Department, he served as Assistant Secretary for management and budget, Chief Financial Officer, and in other key leadership positions.

Mr. Packard is a veteran in the education industry with over 25 years of experience. He currently serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Pansophic Learning, a global technology-based education company. Prior to Pansophic, Mr. Packard was the Founder and CEO of K12 Inc, a developer of innovative curricula and technology to help students reach full potential. At K12, Mr. Packard oversaw the growth from just an idea to almost one billion dollars in revenue, making it one of the largest education companies in the world. Before K12, Mr. Packard was the Vice President of Knowledge Universe and CEO of Knowledge Schools, one of the nation’s largest early childhood education companies. He was also instrumental in the successful investments in Learn Now, Children’s School USA, Leapfrog, TEC, and Children’s Discovery Center.

“Bill and Ron bring a wealth of knowledge and industry expertise to the Gauge team having held key leadership roles at a few of the top education companies and organizations in the world, both in the private and public sectors” said Tom McKelvey, Managing Partner at Gauge. “We are very excited to have them join the team.”

“It’s an honor to work with Gauge Capital as they are an established leader in the private equity and investment realms. Drew and Tom are dynamic leaders and have made an indelible impact in helping their partners realize their goals. The collective power of the Gauge team and their vision and execution yield great results and foster innovation and impact across the education and workforce management markets.  Through their decades of experience, innovative thinking and financial resources, they have helped their partners navigate and build successful teams and enduring companies,” said Mr. Hansen.

“I have worked closely with Gauge for several years on both portfolio companies and the evaluation of new opportunities. I have been impressed by the team and by their processes. I am excited to continue to work with them as an operating partner,” said Mr. Packard.