NOVI, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Learning Care Group, Inc., the second-largest for-profit early education and child care provider in North America, announced today the promotion of Adam Schober to Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and the appointment of current CFO Douglas R. Baker to the newly created role of Chief Growth Officer (CGO). Both appointments are effective November 1, 2024, and both will report directly to Chief Executive Officer, Mark Bierley.
“Adam’s promotion to CFO represents a natural evolution for our company’s leadership. It’s a testament to the breadth of high-quality talent we have on our internal team, as well as the strength of our management succession process,” said Mark R. Bierley, Chief Executive Officer for Learning Care Group. “LCG’s Board and executive team recognize the vital role Adam has played and will continue to play in our success, and we look forward to the energy, expertise and insights he will bring to his new role. During his tenure with LCG, Adam has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership and has been instrumental in developing a team capable of supporting LCG’s capital allocation priorities and consistent operating performance.”
Bierley continued, “Doug has navigated LCG through a period of significant transition and driven exceptional growth over the last seven years and is well positioned to accelerate LCG’s strategic growth objectives.”
As Chief Financial Officer, Schober will lead all elements of the company’s accounting and finance functions, support operational growth within LCG’s existing schools, further evolve financial processes, and ensure that the company’s capital allocation strategy delivers returns that fuel future investments. Schober has been with LCG for 12 years in roles of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Finance & Treasurer. During his time at LCG, Schober has led a variety of finance capabilities, including financial planning and analysis, strategic planning, operations finance, corporate finance, treasury, and business intelligence. He established the company’s investor relations function, leading efforts to raise capital and secure financing in support of the company’s growth strategy. In addition, he has been responsible for capital allocation, balancing investments in greenfield opportunities, acquisitions, B2B, remodels, and technology across economic cycles. Schober has an MBA in Finance from Oakland University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and French from Michigan State University.
“LCG has a strong financial team in place, and I look forward to the opportunity to lead us into our next phase of growth,” Schober said. “Doug’s mentorship has been tremendously valuable and our partnership will help ensure a seamless transition.”
In the new role of Chief Growth Officer, Doug will focus on opening the doors to new opportunities for expanding LCG’s portfolio and offerings, including new builds, technology integration, and alignment across real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and related processes. Since joining LCG in 2017, Baker has built a finance and accounting organization filled with emerging leaders, professionals, and subject matter experts. He has overseen scalable acquisitions, real estate growth teams, platforms capable of delivering new centers consistently, and a near doubling of revenue and profit while navigating Covid and successfully investing through the pandemic. He has an MBA in Operations Management from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Miami University (Ohio).
“Being part of LCG’s growth story has been extremely rewarding, and I am excited to build on our momentum,” said Baker. “We have excellent opportunities in front of us, and I look forward to further enhancing our position in the industry.”
About Learning Care Group, Inc.
Learning Care Group (LCG) is the second-largest for-profit early education and child care provider in North America. LCG is also a leader in employer-sponsored solutions that meet the needs of organizations and their working families. Headquartered in Novi, Michigan, LCG provides quality care and early learning for children 6 weeks to 12 years through 11 unique brands across 1,150+ schools in 40 states. Supporting families and inspiring children to love learning for more than 50 years, LCG enables child development through a comprehensive, research-based curriculum in a safe, nurturing, fun school environment. LCG is committed to transforming the child care industry, exceeding its partners’ expectations, and enhancing the way children learn and grow every day.