Cotulla Education

Cotulla Education

Career-focused vocational education with hands-on training

Overview

Cotulla Education runs a network of career-focused schools and training centers that prepare students for in-demand trades and technical careers. Its brands include the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College, Tidewater Tech, and the American Lineman College, spanning about 20 campus locations in the United States. Courses blend hands-on training with online study, backed by a Career Services team to help with job placement, and tuition and fees generate revenue. The company partners with employers to create employment pathways and maintains digital platforms for student support; its goal is to reduce labor shortages by equipping graduates with market-ready skills and helping them find work in fields like aviation, healthcare, IT, and electrical line-work.

Significant Headcount Growth

About Cotulla Education

Simplify's Rating
Why Cotulla Education is rated
C+
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Industrial & Manufacturing

Aerospace

Education

Healthcare

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Founded

2024

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Aviation.co drew 3,000 qualified waitlist sign-ups within six months, showing demand.
  • Airworthy premiered June 4, 2026, giving AIM national visibility and recruitment reach.
  • Labor shortages in aviation maintenance and lineman work keep enrollment demand structurally high.

What critics are saying

  • Senators Blumenthal and Warren pressed FAA on PE influence in aviation maintenance, June 2026.
  • AIM students still face complaints about missing teachers, billing issues, and turnover.
  • A safety-heavy campus footprint signals persistent security and reputation risk after any incident.

What makes Cotulla Education unique

  • AIM is the first aircraft maintenance trade school featured on The College Tour, June 2026.
  • Cotulla launched Aviation.edu and Aviation.co with Big Human on March 3, 2026.
  • Chief David L. Perry now hardens 21 campuses with enterprise-wide security leadership.

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Benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Parental Leave

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

9%

1 year growth

10%

2 year growth

10%
Yahoo Finance
Jun 1st, 2026
Cotulla Education hires Chief David L. Perry as safety director across 21 US campuses

Cotulla Education has appointed Chief David L. Perry (Ret.) as Director of Safety and Security to oversee physical security programmes across its 21 campuses. The campuses span four workforce education brands: Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Tidewater Tech, Centura College and American Lineman College. Chief Perry brings nearly 30 years of law enforcement and campus public safety experience from senior roles at Florida State University, the University of North Carolina and Clemson University. He contributed to the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing and leads Safer Together, a national law enforcement safety strategy developed with the US Department of Justice. The appointment follows Chief Perry's work as lead consultant on Cotulla Education's campus safety assessment initiative. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Albany State University.

Business Wire
Jun 1st, 2026
Cotulla Education appoints Chief David L. Perry (Ret.) as Director of Safety and Security.

Cotulla Education appoints Chief David L. Perry (Ret.) as Director of Safety and Security. Nationally recognized campus safety expert joins to lead enterprise-wide physical security initiative across 21 campuses VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Cotulla Education today announced the appointment of Chief David L. Perry (Ret.) as Director of Safety and Security. In this newly established role, Chief Perry will lead the company's comprehensive physical security program across all 21 campuses spanning four workforce education brands: Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), Tidewater Tech, Centura College, and American Lineman College. Chief Perry brings nearly 30 years of law enforcement and campus public safety experience to Cotulla Education, having served in senior leadership roles at Florida State University, the University of North Carolina, and Clemson University. He is a contributor to the Final Report of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and currently serves as Program Lead for Safer Together, a national law enforcement safety and wellness strategy developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice and Bureau of Justice Assistance. "Campus safety is foundational to our mission," said Jason Pfaff, CEO of Cotulla Education. "David brings an extraordinary depth of experience, and his national perspective on campus public safety makes him exactly the right person to lead this work. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team." Chief Perry's appointment follows his role as the lead consultant on Cotulla Education's structured safety assessment initiative, which is currently underway across all 21 campuses. His transition from external advisor to internal director reflects the company's commitment to embedding safety expertise at the leadership level. "I am honored to join Cotulla Education at such an important moment," said Chief Perry. "The investment this organization is making in the safety and well-being of its students and staff is genuine, and I look forward to building something lasting." Chief Perry holds a Master of Public Administration from Albany State University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Albany State College. He is certified by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training to provide credit-earning instruction in all 50 states. About Cotulla Education Cotulla Education is a premier network of career-focused institutions dedicated to preparing students for success in skilled trades and technical professions. Through its family of schools - including the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), Centura College, and Tidewater Tech - Cotulla Education delivers hands-on, industry-driven training that meets the growing demand for highly skilled professionals. With campuses across the United States, Cotulla provides students with pathways to rewarding careers in aviation, healthcare, information technology, business, and skilled trades, empowering graduates to fill vital roles in today's workforce.

PR Newswire
Mar 3rd, 2026
Big Human and Cotulla Education launch dual aviation platforms to address workforce shortage

Big Human has partnered with Cotulla Education to launch two digital platforms addressing aviation workforce shortages. Aviation.edu focuses on career discovery and educational support, whilst Aviation.co serves as an industry-wide community platform for mentorship and knowledge-sharing. The initiative responds to projected shortfalls of tens of thousands of aviation maintenance professionals in the US over the next decade, driven by retirements outpacing new training programme entrants. The platforms aim to expand career awareness and provide sustained digital support throughout professionals' careers. Since launching, Aviation.co has generated over 750,000 social views, 20,000 organic impressions and 3,000 qualified waitlist sign-ups within six months. Big Human provided strategy, design, development and growth marketing for the partnership.

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