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James Haga BIO

James Haga has over 20 years working in the for‐profit, higher education sector.  He has always had a
reputation for effective leadership and high standards that eventually led to Mr. Haga’s selection as CEO
of BrightStar Education early in 2005.  Mr. Haga and BrightStar Education have fought through adversity
since the beginning, when their original acquisition, Institute of Technology, experienced a 20% drop in
sales, an unusually high sales representative turnover rate and a 40% drop in revenue within the first
year of operation.  This nearly crippled the Company from the start, but under Mr. Haga’s steady
leadership, ability to innovate and persistence, Institute of Technology and BrightStar in particular
recovered from these original struggles and began to thrive.  Since that period in 2005, the Company has
and continues to post record profits and growth to this day, outperforming industry standards.

In displaying Mr. Haga’s acumen as an independent thinker, in 2009 the Company assisted the US
Department of Education by taking control of a failed school owned by another school group. In doing
so, BrightStar rescued two dozen teachers who had not been paid for two months by their previous
employer, and provided educational services to 100 students, all of whom would have been displaced
had the college closed.  In the small community of Redding, CA, assuming control of this college was an
extremely risky proposition given the reputation of the failed school, but in recognizing the potential for
growth in the market, and seizing the opportunity instead of fleeing from the challenge, the Redding, CA
Institute of Technology has become one of the Company’s most profitable investments.  This example is
one of many that reflect on Mr. Haga’s ability to see opportunity through risk, persevere through
adversity, and triumph where others have failed and partner with fellow stakeholders within higher
education – in this example, the U.S. Department of Education.

Type of business and current activity

The mission of BrightStar Education Group is to produce employable graduates in their chosen fields of
study by providing them with quality education, expert instruction, consistent communication, support,
and discipline in a professional environment that will help them not only become employable upon
graduation, but instill self‐worth and a need for progressive growth for each choice they make in the
future.

The soon to be Haga‐led BrightStar Education group (Arlington Capital) acquired the Institute of
Technology College in late 2004. At that time the college served 900 students, at four campus locations.
Today, well over 3500 students attend BrightStar schools on six campuses across California and Oregon
as a result of smart metric management, excellent student outcomes and low employee turnover.
During this same period, Company annual revenue and campus‐level EBITDA growth has exceeded the
industry average.

When the economy slowed in California, and record unemployment rates hit many of the cities where
BrightStar campuses operate, the Company doubled the size of the Career Service departments on each
campus – the goal being to increase graduate placements and to assist those placed once, but now
displaced due to the economic downturn.  As a result of a strong customer‐value proposition, today the
Company enjoys record student retention, historically low student loan defaults and record placement

HAGA BIO, PAGE TWO

results. In fact, BrightStar is expected to post a default rate in September 2011 well below if not below
most for‐profit colleges in California.

Innovative approaches and future plans

Since the earliest days, the company has been equally focused on driving top and bottom line results as
well as critical compliance and customer‐success metrics.  Some examples of the Company’s success
include:  an EBITDA increase from a low of $1.7 million in 2005 to $16‐18 (confidential ‐‐ mostly all same
school ‐ organic); a soon to be historic low in student loan defaults relative to the Company’s
performance since 2005, and when compared to peers; a very high level of customer satisfaction (a
recent survey reported independently by students to national accreditors indicated a 97% satisfaction
rate); a relatively low employee turnover rate compared to the industry.

BrightStar’s business model is customer‐driven. The Company has always sought to increase the value
proposition by adding services. Unlike most colleges, residential students have the ability to access their
studies via an internally created online platform designed by the Institute of Technology, called MyIOT.
This platform hosts test exams, lesson plans and more.  Students struggling academically may access
MyIOT 24/7 and practice what they learned in the classroom as well as interact with tutors.

Mr. Haga and the organization itself pride themselves on being highly innovative. Numerous unique
platforms designed to monitor the health of the operation and to increase the value proposition for
customers.  The Company developed sales/revenue forecasting dashboards, marketing dashboards,
financial reporting tools and highly innovative compliance best practices – all of which have
complimented BrightStar’s sustainable growth over the years.

BrightStar plans to continue its growth and expansion, some of the Company’s future plans:  expand its
footprint, with a seventh campus expected to open late 2011 and plans to open one to two schools per
year for the foreseeable future; continue strong growth, with EBITDA (same school organic, limited
greenfield, no acquisition strategy) expected to more than double to $36‐38 million by December 31,
2015; begin to offer 4‐year degree programs; offer programs online beginning 2012; add several new
programs mostly within the medical and allied health career fields where students enjoy a favorable
return on investment.

Company initiative, culture & awards

Mr. Haga has served on numerous Boards including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and was
awarded a Distinguished Board Volunteer award.  In addition, Mr. Haga has generously donated to
several non‐profit organizations including the Epilepsy Foundation and school districts in Nebraska,
Colorado and California.  In 2011, Mr. Haga was the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
semifinalist.  Privately, both Jim & Teri Haga have provided scholarships to a number of students wishing
to pursue a college degree.

HAGA BIO, PAGE THREE

The Company has a very healthy culture.  In 2005, Mr. Haga and Company put into place several
programs to acknowledge the contributions of all employees.  Each month, the company recognizes top
achievement and contributions; annually, the Company celebrates by selecting several dozen employees
for their direct contributions. These programs foster innovation and promote employee satisfaction and
retention.   Furthermore, the Company has tried to not simply serve as a home office and top‐down
management organization, but to instead be seen as a partner with those in the field at each campus. In
the past, Mr. Haga and other senior executives relocated temporarily to a city where a campus operates
and served in various capacities until an open position was filled with a qualified candidate.

Mr. Haga’s final action as CEO for BrightStar was another partnership with the US Department of
Education, assisting ED by taking control of a failed school located in Spokane, Washington. As with the
Redding experience, this campus is expected to deliver a positive contribution to the company in less
than one year.

Mr. Haga’s latest venture is JTNicman (JTN).  JTN is a full‐service c‐level executive search and strategic
growth management consulting firm focused on faith‐based organizations, healthcare and higher
education. We partner with our clients to understand their needs and provide access to top talent and
develop powerful growth strategies. Ten percent (10%) of our earnings are donated to faith‐based
organizations and to innovative thought leaders in the education space.

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Haga Bio 2011

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Haga Bio 2011