Cosumnes River College’s Brian Bedford to lead Metro Chamber’s education affiliate during transition
Brian Bedford, the business dean at Cosumnes River College, has been named the new interim CEO of NextEd, the workforce development and education affiliate of the Sacramento Metro Chamber.
Bedford, a Sacramento native whose resume includes eight years at Intel Corp., an MBA, a law degree and stints as a pro football player in the National and Canadian football leagues, will take a leave from Cosumnes River College to serve as NextEd’s interim CEO for the next six months.
Stella Premo, current interim CEO, will return to her previous role as executive director and director of educational programs. She will manage several programs requiring immediate attention and implementation, including critical career pathway grants associated with the Sacramento regional CAP and CRANE initiatives. Under Premo’s direction, NextEd is coordinating a number of programs taking place this fall, including Career GPS and Convergence, designed to better prepare students for academic and career success in the next economy.
“NextEd is proud of our track record as the premier organization focused on advancing enhanced career readiness for the Capital Region,” said Naaz Alikhan, NextEd board chair and president of Williams+Paddon Architects and Planners. “But all successful organizations take time to evaluate where they are today to best position them for tomorrow. Under Brian’s leadership, the NextEd Board will be able to take the time to strategically plan for how the organization moves forward.”
Bedford’s experience uniquely positions him as a program manager and demonstrated leader with business acumen. He currently serves as Cosumnes River College’s dean of Business and Family Science and previously was a tenured professor of business at Sacramento City College. Both colleges are part of the Los Rios Community College District. Before entering academia, Bedford worked for 17 years in a variety of roles at Intel Corp., Apple and John Hancock Financial Services. Bedford, who attended the University of California, Berkeley, on a football scholarship, also played three seasons as a wide receiver in the NFL and CFL.
“We’ve been incredibly impressed with Brian’s polished leadership and program management skills at the Los Rios Colleges, and I’m confident that many others throughout the Sacramento Region will feel the same after meeting and working with him,” said Brian King, chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District and a member of the NextEd board’s executive committee. “He is a true innovator and will be a strong addition to NextEd in the weeks and months ahead.”
“I’m excited to join and add value to the NextEd team,” said Bedford. “NextEd’s efforts to prepare students for success in the next economy is critical to building the future workforce for the capital region.”
“On behalf of the Metro Chamber Board of Directors, we are thrilled to bring Brian on board and think he is the right individual to step in and help chart NextEd’s path forward,” said Peter Tateishi, President and CEO of Metro Chamber. “NextEd’s focus on economic development via positioning tomorrow’s workforce for success, aligns with the Metro Chamber’s mission and we are committed to continuously supporting the organization during this time.”
SACRAMENTO METRO CHAMBER
Founded in 1895, the Sacramento Metro Chamber is the largest, oldest and most prominent voice of business in Northern California. The Metro Chamber represents nearly 1,700 of the premier businesses and business organizations employing 130,000 workers in the six-county Sacramento region. For 120 years, the Metro Chamber has served as the region’s leading proponent of regional cooperation and is a primary advocate on issues affecting business, job growth, business prosperity and the quality of life. With more than 100 free networking events a year, the Metro Chamber offers the best venues for making new business connections.
NEXTED
NextEd – Education for the next economy is the education workforce affiliate of the Sacramento Metro Chamber and the premier education-employer intermediary serving the six-county region. Through established partnerships with over 30 K-12 school districts, over 10 post-secondary institutions and the business community at large, NextEd strategically aligns the region’s educational assets to meet workforce needs and advance economic objectives. NextEd currently serves over 11,000 high school students enrolled in pathway programs in over 21 school districts throughout the Capital Region. Pathway programs are career-focused course sequences offering classroom curriculum to students with real world application. Capital Region industry leaders are encouraged to engage with NextEd to inspire education and ensure students have the knowledge, skills and experience that will give our region’s students a competitive advantage in the future workforce.
LOS RIOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
The Los Rios Community College District is one of the nation’s most respected learning institutions and the second-largest community college district in California, serving the greater Sacramento region. Los Rios includes: American River, Cosumnes River, Folsom Lake and Sacramento City colleges; six major education and outreach centers; and specialized workforce and economic development programs, for regional businesses, governments and organizations. The Los Rios Colleges offer AA/AS degrees, certificates and transfer-education opportunities in more than 70 career fields. The District’s 2,400 square-mile service area includes all of Sacramento County, most of El Dorado County and parts of Yolo, Placer and Solano counties. About 77,000 students are enrolled in the four Los Rios colleges.
COSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE
Since 1970, Cosumnes River College has provided outstanding academic and vocational training to the region. CRC’s main campus is located in south Sacramento County, with a new college outreach center in Elk Grove. The college enrolls a diverse community of 15,000 students and offers multicultural activities throughout the academic year. CRC is committed to fostering a learning community that celebrates diversity, nurtures personal growth and inspires academic and economic leadership.
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CONTACT:
Colleen Spitz, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Sacramento Metro Chamber
916.552.6800
cspitz@metrochamber.org