A Cincinnati startup that specializes in delivering software solutions through its K-12 education management platform has a new CEO.
Abre, which counts CincyTech among its backers, named Cincinnati native James Stoffer to its top job, replacing founding CEO Damon Ragusa, according to a release. Stoffer most recently led sales, customer experience and business operations for DreamBox Learning, which is headquartered in the Seattle area.
"My goal was to help launch this business, build the initial team and strategy, and ensure it had the capital to grow," Ragusa said in a statement. "The business is moving into another round of significant growth. I made the decision to bring on someone with deep experience in the K-12 software industry who has driven the kind of growth we’re expecting. James fits all of the dimensions I was looking for to take Abre forward from here."
Ragusa is a serial entrepreneur, best known as the founder of analytics firm ThinkVine, which was acquired in 2016 by Ignite Marketing Analytics. He declined to share what his next steps will be.
Launched in 2018, Abre provides an education management platform offering software solutions for managing school, delivering virtual instruction and connecting students with community partners. At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced Abre Hub, its core product, would be free to all school systems moving forward.
"Abre’s product breadth is impressive," Stacey Browning, managing director at CincyTech and an Abre director, said in a statement. "Add to that an unequaled user experience that demonstrates a deep understanding of its K-12 customers, and Abre is an edtech offering well-positioned for disruption and growth."
In a statement, Stoffer praised the company's growth while adding his excitement to contribute to Cincinnati's technology industry.
