Blackboard Announces Departure of CFO Rick Essex

Blackboard Inc - Washington, D.C.-based educational company trumpeted changeover of role & responsibility of its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Rick Essex wherein company’s Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel Stuart Kupinsky will serve as the CFO in the interim. Rick Essex will be leaving Blackboard on 28th June 2019 and Stuart will be taking over as the interim CFO until a replacement is found. The replacement will be based out of the company’s future headquarters in Reston, Virginia.

Under his new role, Rick will be closely working with Stuart Kupinsky and the finance senior leadership team from his hometown Boston for Providence Equity Partners on their Strategic Growth Fund, ensuring a smooth transition.

Over the past 15 months, Rick has been an invaluable member of the executive team at Blackboard and we greatly appreciate his dedication and contributions to the company

Prior to serving in his CFO roles, Rick worked as a Principal at Providence Equity Partners - majority owner of Blackboard.

"Over the past 15 months, Rick has been an invaluable member of the executive team at Blackboard and we greatly appreciate his dedication and contributions to the company. While I'm sad to see Rick go, I know the move back to Boston and Providence Equity will be a good decision for Rick and his family and we wish him well,’ said Bill Ballhaus, Chairman, CEO and President, Blackboard.

With an unmatched understanding of the world of the learner, the most comprehensive student-success solutions, and the greatest capacity for innovation, Blackboard is education's partner in change.