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Two school software companies with decades of loyal customers come together behind a more modern product, more people for every school and simpler payments for families.
Two school software companies with decades of loyal customers come together behind a more modern product, more people for every school and simpler payments for families
FREMONT, Neb., November 2026. Sycamore Leaf Solutions, LLC (“Sycamore”), maker of an all-in-one school management platform for independent K-12 schools, today announced that FastDirect Communications (“FastDirect”) has joined Sycamore, bringing together two companies that have each served schools for more than 25 years. Sycamore also announced that Phillip Weinstein has been named Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Dr. Ryan Lowe, who becomes Chief Payments Officer, a new role leading tuition billing and payments for schools and families.
Glen Ellis founded Sycamore in 2001 in Fremont, Nebraska. Randy Hilleren founded FastDirect in 1998 in St. Louis, where it built its reputation serving preschools and faith-based K-8 schools. Hilleren, alongside his whole team, including his two daughters, has joined Sycamore to continue providing great service to independent schools. Together, the companies are putting new investment behind three priorities: a more modern product, more people behind every school and a simpler experience for families.
“Twenty-seven years ago, I started Sycamore Leaf with nothing but an idea and a belief that schools deserved software built by people who understood how they work. I’m proud of what we built, but I’m proudest of the relationships behind it: the schools that trusted the employees who earned that trust every day and us. Choosing the right next leader mattered deeply to me, and in Phillip Weinstein, I found a partner who shares our values and has the resources and vision to grow the company while taking great care of our customers. To our team and our customers, thank you. This next chapter is in excellent hands.”
Glen Ellis, Founder, Sycamore Leaf Solutions
“Schools don’t need more software. They need software that gives them back time to focus on what matters most, which is teaching students. Sycamore and FastDirect were both built on that idea, and both have schools that have stayed with them for decades because of it. Glen Ellis and Randy Hilleren each spent years building something schools rely on. Our job is to be good stewards of that work and give it the resources to serve more schools well.”
Phillip Weinstein, CEO, Sycamore Leaf Solutions
Together, Sycamore and FastDirect serve hundreds of independent schools across the United States and in over 40 countries.
“Our schools chose FastDirect because they could pick up the phone and reach someone who knew them. That doesn’t change. What changes is that our schools now have a bigger team and a stronger product behind them.”
Randy Hilleren, Founder, FastDirect
Sycamore will speed up investment in platform modernization, integrations, reporting, security and automation of routine office work, so administrators spend less time on manual steps.
Sycamore will expand its onboarding, implementation, training and support teams, and keep building Sycamore Academy, its training hub for customers.
With Dr. Lowe leading payments, Sycamore will keep cutting the steps it takes families to enroll, pay tuition and stay in touch with their school.
Sycamore’s product, engineering and support staff bring decades of experience working with independent schools. The company plans selective hiring in engineering and customer success.
Sycamore Leaf Solutions, LLC makes an all-in-one school management platform for independent schools from preschool through grade 12. The platform covers student information, admissions and enrollment, attendance, grading, family communication, tuition billing and payments, daycare, cafeteria, health records and mobile family access, with training through Sycamore Academy. Founded in 2001, Sycamore serves hundreds of schools across the United States and in over 40 countries, including the schools of FastDirect Communications. Learn more at sycamoreleaf.com.
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Phillip Weinstein · phillip@sycamoreleaf.com
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