Franklin, Tenn. – September 18, 2026 -- Summit Professional Education, which has served more than 500,000 healthcare professionals, has appointed Jeff Wahl as Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than 40 years of leadership experience to the education platform's next growth phase.
Wahl brings four decades of operating experience, including two-plus decades in education
Wahl most recently served as CEO of Big Blue Marble Academy (BBMA), an early childhood education provider he joined as Executive Chairman in 2019 before being named CEO in 2020. Under his leadership, BBMA more than quadrupled in size to 93 schools across eight states, educating over 10,000 students and employing more than 2,000 staff.
Prior roles include Executive in Residence at Avathon Capital, Chairman of Glynlyon (parent of Odysseyware and Alpha Omega Publications), and CEO of EdisonLearning. Earlier in his career, Wahl spent 15 years at General Electric in operational and P&L leadership roles, including senior positions at GE Capital.
Appointment reunites Wahl with investment partner Avathon Capital
Avathon Capital, which recruited Wahl to lead BBMA in 2020, is Summit's investment partner. Shoshana Vernick, Managing Partner at Avathon Capital, said the firm has seen firsthand Wahl's ability to build organizations that scale without losing sight of their core mission, adding that Summit has evolved considerably since the firm's initial investment.
Summit operates a portfolio spanning physical therapy, pelvic health, and fitness certification
Summit's brand family includes Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, Kids Bowel & Bladder, PT Final Exam, The Knowledge Tree, and the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT). Kids Bowel & Bladder's pediatric pelvic health curriculum and advanced practitioner certificate program are being integrated into the Herman & Wallace education platform.
Paul Skordilis, Chairman of the Board of Summit Professional Education, said Wahl has a proven ability to build strong teams, scale education businesses, and create value for learners while preserving what makes each brand distinctive.
New CEO to focus on expanding brand reach and learner experience
As CEO, Wahl will focus on strengthening Summit's position as a professional education platform, expanding the reach of its brands, and creating more pathways for professionals from exam preparation through continuing education, specialization, and advanced credentials. Wahl holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Walsh University and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.