A Trusted Advisor for School Owners
Leader in Education, Autism, and Behavioral Health
John M. McLaughlin, Ph.D. has advised hundreds of clients and participated in more than 40 transactions in the autism and special education markets. From 2009 to 2011, he served as Managing Director of Behavioral Innovations, overseeing ten ABA clinics in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
An education entrepreneur throughout his career, John founded a Nashville school at age 24—now in its 48th year—dedicated to providing highly personalized learning experiences. In the mid-1980s, he became an associate professor of educational administration at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, where he researched the role of the private sector in school reform and launched the influential Education Industry Report, tracking private investment in education. In 1997, he left his tenured post to focus full-time on the business of education and behavioral health.
John has partnered with dozens of groups investing in education, special education, and behavioral health clinics using applied behavior analysis. He has also advised numerous operating companies in these fields on growth strategies and exit planning. His board service includes Benton Hall (Nashville), National Heritage Academies (Grand Rapids), Behavioral Innovations (Dallas), and ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, and Education (Nashville). He has also served on the advisory boards of Bright Horizons Family Solutions (Boston), The Catholic Digest (St. Paul), and The Orpheum Theater (Sioux Falls).
His most recent book, How Autism Is Reshaping Special Education: The Unbundling of IDEA (Rowman & Littlefield), received a dozen awards, including Social Impact Book of 2017 from the Human Relations Indie Book Awards. In addition, John has authored numerous articles and opinion pieces and has addressed audiences ranging from the World Bank to the National School Boards Association.
He holds degrees from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, The University of Chicago, and The University of Minnesota.
Partner with McLaughlin Advisors
I’ve been in education for over 50 years—as a leader, a board member, a founder, and a coach. I started McLaughlin Advisors because children benefit from unique owner-operated schools and I want to see such school thrive and see more of them bloom coast to coast. I saw too many school owners trying to figure things out alone.
My approach is simple: I listen, I ask questions, and I help you work through the challenges you’re facing—without judgment and without an agenda. Whether you’re launching a school, navigating the new voucher environment, concerned about the future or needing to retire, or just need someone in your corner, I’m here.