PRESS RELEASE: Top Driver and All Star Driver Education Combine!
All Star Driver Education Announces Landmark Transaction to Combine With Top Driver
The transaction forms the largest and most comprehensive provider of driver education in the
Midwest
Ann Arbor, MI— October 14, 2021— All Star Driver Education, a leading provider of classroom
and online driver education courses in 8 states, has combined forces with Top Driver, the largest
provider of driver education in Illinois with additional locations in Michigan and Ohio.
All Star Driver Education was acquired in November 2019 by HighGrove Companies. Sean
Roberts, founder, and managing partner from HighGrove shared, “This is a very exciting milestone
in our growth strategy as we have now expanded our footprint into Illinois and strengthened our
leadership position in Michigan and Ohio where Top Driver has highly complementary operations
to All Star. We are thrilled to welcome Paul Zalatoris and the Top Driver team into our
organization and we look forward to the tremendous opportunities we have to accelerate our
growth together.”
“I’m extremely proud of our team at Top Driver and the business we have built” added Paul
Zalatoris, CEO of Top Driver. “Our culture at Top Driver is centered on delivering the highest
quality experience for our customers, and on ensuring the safety of our students. All Star shares
these same principles, and we felt they were an ideal partner for us, not only because of our
cultural alignment but also because of their strong presence in Michigan and Ohio where we
have been focusing our growth plans. We are very excited to join forces with All Star and the
opportunities we have as a combined organization.”
Rick Van Pelt, CEO All Star Driver Education commented, “This transaction brings together two
of the leading brands in our industry and, there is an enormous amount of synergy between our
organizations. As we leverage the resources of both companies, we expect to invest in our
business to deliver an unrivaled customer experience for our classroom and online students, and
clearly establish ourselves as the employer of choice in our industry.”
About All Star and Top Driver
Together, All Star and Top Driver provided behind-the-wheel driver education courses to over
25,000 students in 2020 from over 100 locations in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. In addition to its
presence in these core markets, the companies also provide classroom and online courses to
students in Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Arizona, and Georgia.
To learn more, visit us at:
www.allstardrivereducation.com
www.topdriver.com
Frequently asked questions
When did Top Driver and All Star Driver Education combine?
The combination was announced on October 14, 2021, with Ann Arbor, Michigan as the dateline of the press release. All Star Driver Education, which had been acquired by HighGrove Companies in November 2019, combined with Top Driver to form the largest and most comprehensive provider of driver education in the Midwest. The deal brought Top Driver's Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio operations together with All Star's footprint across eight states.
How big is the combined Top Driver and All Star organization?
In 2020, the two companies together provided behind-the-wheel driver education to more than 25,000 students from over 100 locations across Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. Beyond those three core markets, the combined organization also offers classroom and online courses to students in Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. That scale makes it the largest driver education provider in the Midwest and one of the largest in the country.
Why did Top Driver and All Star combine?
Leadership at both companies pointed to cultural alignment and complementary geography. Top Driver CEO Paul Zalatoris said both companies prioritize a high-quality customer experience and student safety, and that All Star's strong presence in Michigan and Ohio matched where Top Driver had been focusing growth. Sean Roberts of HighGrove said the deal expanded the combined company's footprint into Illinois and strengthened its leadership in Michigan and Ohio. Rick Van Pelt, CEO of All Star, framed it as bringing together two leading brands with significant operational synergy.
In which states does Top Driver operate after the combination?
After combining with All Star Driver Education, the company offers behind-the-wheel driver education in its three core states of Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. Classroom and online driver education courses are also available to students in Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. That gives the combined organization a presence in nine states total, with Illinois remaining the largest market by enrollment and number of locations.
Who leads Top Driver and All Star after the combination?
Paul Zalatoris continues to lead Top Driver and joined the broader organization as part of the deal. Rick Van Pelt was CEO of All Star Driver Education at the time of the announcement. The parent company is HighGrove Companies, with Sean Roberts as founder and managing partner. The press release framed the deal as a collaborative combination rather than a one-sided acquisition, with leadership from both legacy companies continuing to play active roles in the combined operation.
