Brian Bedford, Ed.D is a Sacramento native, Dr. Bedford is a seasoned leader in both business and education. He spent 13 years in the private sector working at Apple and Intel in various leadership positions before serving as a Business Law professor at Sacramento City College in the Los Rios Community College District. He subsequently served as the Dean of Business at Cosumnes River College and the Dean of the Elk Grove Center. Later, Dr. Bedford was the CEO of Align Capital Region, a regional not for-profit supporting business and education, before accepting an Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives role at California State University, Sacramento. Dr. Bedford holds a BA, MBA, JD, and an EdD. He is an American Leadership Forum (ALF) Fellow, Class XXI, Mountain View Chapter.

Burton R. Loehr, J.D. graduated from King Hall School of Law at the University of California, Davis where he served as a staff writer on the UC Davis Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif. He later earned a M.A. in Communication Studies with an emphasis 38 on communication issues in the legal profession from California State University, Sacramento. He worked with the Public Defender’s Office of Sacramento County where he supervised felony trials, major crimes, and the research and training section. He was an active member of the California Public Defender’s Association throughout his career. He taught Real Property at Lincoln Law School for 20 years, retiring in 2011.

Jeff Perry, CLU, ChFC, is the president of Perry Financial Network and a 1984 graduate of California State University, Chico with a B.S. Degree in Agribusiness and a minor in Finance. He obtained the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation in 1992 and the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) Designation in 1994. He began his career in the insurance industry in 1986 as a career agent with Sun Life of Canada. Mr. Perry earned life membership status in the Million Dollar Roundtable in his early years as a personal producer. Since that time he has devoted his career to helping brokers develop their business as well as designing and closing cases in the advanced market.

Erica Rau is a marketing and brand executive with over 25 years of experience helping organizations build meaningful connections with their audiences. As head of marketing for the Sacramento Kings, she led branding and creative initiatives that shaped the team’s identity and in-arena brand experiences at Golden 1 Center, including retail environments, merchandise design, and uniform development. During her tenure with the Kings, Erica led the team’s full identity rebrand in 2016, launching a new logo system, uniforms, and brand positioning that was met with 39 overwhelming local and national praise. As part of this effort, she also created and developed the “Sacramento Proud” campaign—a defining rallying cry for the region. She oversaw the branding of Golden 1 Center, including its art installations, premium spaces, and food and beverage brands and experiences. In addition, she led the branding and design efforts for The Sawyer Hotel and DOCO, helping shape both into cultural landmarks that define Sacramento’s modern entertainment district.

Now, as Principal and Partner at Rau Moak Partners, Erica collaborates with major local brands such as Golden 1 Credit Union and Sutter Health to drive brand strategy, employee engagement, and creative innovation. She helps organizations develop impactful brand narratives, execute compelling campaigns, and create meaningful connections with their audiences. Her expertise spans brand development, consumer insights, creative strategy, and complex project management, making her a trusted leader in shaping the future of businesses across sports, entertainment, healthcare, and financial services.

Andrew J. Smolich, Esq. founded Lincoln Law School in 1969. Having graduated from an evening law school himself while working full time and supporting a family, Mr. Smolich knew first-hand the benefits of such a program. He entered private practice in 1964 and remains a practicing attorney at Smolich & Smolich law firm. The law firm specializes in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security Disability. He has represented multiple labor organizations and their members, including railroad ship crafts and construction industry unions, regarding contracts, work injuries, and labor disputes. Mr. Smolich remains committed to the goal he set over 50 years ago – to provide a quality legal education at an affordable cost.

James M. Smolich, Esq. received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He entered private practice in 1985, with a focus on representing individuals in personal injury, social security disability, and workers’ compensation matters. He is a member of Consumer Attorneys of California and the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association. Mr. Smolich is a former adjunct professor and currently the Chief Executive Officer at Lincoln Law School of Sacramento.