Carole Valentine Named Executive VP & COO of Urban Trust Bank Education Finance

Robert L. Johnson's, RLJ Companies, LLC ("RLJ"), announced today that it has brought on Carole Valentine, a veteran leader in the student loan business and strategist to be the Chief Operating Officer of Urban Trust Bank Education Finance, LLC.

A veteran of the student loan industry, Valentine previously served as Vice President for Sales in the East Region for Wells Fargo Education Financial Services (formerly Norwest Student Loan Center). She also served with Sallie Mae, the largest student loan company in the U.S. for 14 years in sales management, strategic planning, and private loan product development.

"Carole brings a wealth of experience to the business and through her insight, I am certain that UTB Education Finance will be in the forefront of the student loan industry," said Johnson. "She and UTB Education Finance President Dwight Bush collectively represent an outstanding leadership team for our student loan initiatives. We look forward to providing students with the financial support they need and deserve."

Student loan provider, UTB Education Finance, is owned in partnership with Urban Trust Holdings, Inc and a unit of Goldman Sachs. It's first student loan products are expected in spring of 2007.