Tom Pabin, Class 101 President/Founder
Company History
Class 101
Tom Pabin, president of Class 101, and his expert staff have years of experience working with high-school-age youth. After opening the first office in August 1997 in Lexington, Kentucky, it was soon apparent that the college planning format Mr. Pabin used was successful and could be expanded to other areas.
” I believe our faith and our families come first. We have been given a chance to enhance our lives and others, we should take advantage of that. In that philosophy, Class 101 was started. We are here not only to help families save money, but to help make a difference in a young person’s life. That, my friends, is worth everything to me!” – Tom Pabin
Check out our timeline below for other important milestones we have reached!
Our History
1997
College Finance and Planning is started by Tom Pabin. Its first location is Tom’s one bedroom apartment.
1998
The first office of College Finance and Planning is opened on Regency Road in Lexington, KY
1999
College Finance and Planning expands to a second location in Louisville, KY
2004
College Talk Magazine begins publication. Over 300,000 copies are distributed to high school students.
2006
The 1000th student begins receiving college planning services.
2007
College Finance and Planning becomes Class 101
Class 101 begins offering franchise opportunities
2008
The first franchise location outside of Kentucky opens in Columbus, OH
2012
Class 101 opens a location in Bloomington, IN
2013
Class 101 opens a franchise in Eastern Kentucky
2014
Betsy Filchak, Director of Franchise Relations, joins the Class 101 team
Miami, Florida franchise opens
Franklin, Tennessee franchise opens
2015
Benton/Bryant, Arkansas franchise opens
Louisville, Kentucky franchise opens
The 3000th student is reached through Class 101’s college planning services and test preparation classes
2016
Wilmington, North Carolina franchise opens
Nashville, Tennessee franchise opens
Lafayette, Louisiana franchise opens
Savannah, Georgia franchise opens
Southeastern Pennsylvania franchise opens
Rochester, New York franchise opens
Company-wide Class 101 Seniors collectively received over $33,157,931 in scholarship money. Total to date company-wide is over $136,000,000
Class 101 Corporate Headquarters opens in Lexington, Kentucky
2017
February-West Tennessee franchise opens
April-Irvine, California franchise opens
April-Katy, Texas franchise opens
June-Cleveland, Ohio franchise opens
July-Mesa-Gilbert, Arizona franchise opens
July-Boise/Meridian, Idaho franchise opens
July-Greater Austin, Texas franchise opens
August-Louisville Southeast, Kentucky franchise opens
September-Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania franchise opens
October-Tupelo, Mississippi franchise opens
October-Douglas County, Colorado franchise opens
October-Encinitas, California franchise opens
Class 101 celebrates its 20th anniversary
Bryan Smith, CFO joins the Class 101 team
Class 101 is recognized by Franchise Gator as
-Top 100 Franchise – #60
-Fastest Growing Franchise – #15
-Top Emerging Franchise – #5
2018
February – Norman, Oklahoma franchise opens
March – Sugar Land, TX franchise opens
May – Conejo Valley, California franchise opens
August – Dayton OH South franchise opens
August – Grand Prairie, TX franchise opens
September – Bergen, NJ franchise opens
September – Memphis, TN franchise opens
December – Mobile, AL franchise opens
December – Crestview, FL (Blackwater) franchise opens
2019
January – Southwest Missouri franchise opens
February – Chesapeake Virginia franchise opens
February – Chattanooga Tennessee franchise opens
February – Central Kentucky franchise opens
April – West St. Louis County Missouri franchise opens
April – Monmouth County NJ franchise opens
June – East Hillsborough County FL franchise opens