Ex-President Cwiertnia Rejoins NEC

Just a week after it dismissed chief executive H. David Bright, National Education Corp. announced Wednesday that former president Jerome W. Cwiertnia is returning to his old job and assuming the added position of chief operating officer.

NEC Chairman David C. Jones named Cwiertnia, 48, acting president and chief operating officer and indicated that the appointments will become permanent at the company’s next board meeting.

“I think there is no doubt that the board will ratify his return,” said Richard Blum, a board member. “I am very positive about Jerry’s return to the company.”

National Education in Irvine is the nation’s largest vocational training company.

“I take this as a pleasant surprise,” said Arthur Rade, analyst with the New York brokerage of Merrill Lynch. “Cwiertnia is highly thought of both internally and in the investment community.”

When he resigned last March, Cwiertnia said it was because he wanted a position that would give him more responsibility. Analysts said Wednesday that the real reason was that Cwiertnia and Bright often clashed.

“Their styles perhaps did not mesh as well as would have been desired,” Fred Malek, a board member, said Wednesday. “We think (Cwiertnia) brings a lot of talents to bear to help stabilize the company and to help put it back on the road to growth.”

Following his resignation as president, Cwiertnia continued to serve as a consultant. He earned $685,400 in 1988, according to public records.

National Education is struggling to overcome a series of setbacks including a second quarter loss announced last week totaling $1.5 million. The company had made a $7.6 million in the same period a year earlier. Revenue in the recent quarter was down 8%.

Enrollment in the company’s vocational schools has been flat for most of the year and is requiring more money to be spent on marketing in order to attract students.

National Education’s stock closed Wednesday at $14.88, close to its 52-week low.