Duane Morris provides a broad range of education legal services in the areas of accreditation advices and advocacy, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, student relations, student litigation, regulatory investigations, personnel matters, litigation and insurance, finance, deferred giving, estates and taxation, constitutional law, real estate, construction and environmental law and intellectual property.

Our Student Information System (SIS) stands apart as an innovative solution built on a cloud-native platform, enabling us to harness the power of cutting-edge technology. By embracing a true Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, we provide a seamless experience for educational institutions worldwide. Our SIS is designed to support multi-entity organizations effortlessly, with the unique ability to adapt to multiple languages and currencies.

With our cloud-native architecture, forward-thinking approach, and student-centric design, we aim to revolutionize the way educational institutions manage their operations and enhance student experiences. Join us in embracing the future of education with our transformative Student First SIS solution.

For nearly 50 years, TFC Tuition has provided tuition-financing alternatives. Our programs enable schools to increase cash flow and enrollments while eliminating the difficult tasks of tuition collection, servicing and reporting. NO CREDIT CHECKS, NO ORIGINATION FEES & NO START-UP FEES. TFC Tuition provides all the materials necessary to implement our tuition financing programs at no cost to the school. Our mission is to provide long-term quality service to our clients. The government required TILA disclosures are available on our website for no additional cost to our client schools.

American Career College is committed to providing you a quality education and helping you prepare for success. American Career College was founded more than 35 years ago and has prepared thousands of talented men and women for personally rewarding careers in health care.

West Coast University has been educating and preparing students for professional careers for over 100 years. Today, WCU is committed to a unique student-centric approach to advanced healthcare education—combining critical thinking with hands-on experience to put our students “ahead of the curve.”

Across our seven modern facilities in Southern California, Texas, and Florida, we offer focused undergraduate degree programs in nursing and dental hygiene, as well as master’s and doctorate programs in nursing.

LeadSquared is a comprehensive student lifecycle CRM that streamlines the recruitment, application, enrollment, and completion process through innovative technology and personalized support. Our trusted community of over 2,000 customers includes colleges, universities, and other educational institutions of all sizes. We strive to remove barriers to education and create a frictionless journey from recruitment to alumni and beyond.

Portico is a student-centric technology platform built for career education institutions, providing powerful tools for managing the entire student lifecycle. From admissions and financial aid to student engagement and workforce readiness, Portico empowers schools to deliver personalized experiences that drive better outcomes. With an integrated suite of CRM, SIS, student success, and financial aid solutions, Portico simplifies operations, reduces administrative burdens, and enables institutions to focus on what matters most: helping students succeed from enrollment to employment (from here to career).

For 25 years, Educational Advisors has been dedicated to supporting the higher education community with their accreditation, state authorization, and compliance activities. We're thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our clients and community!

EA's team of professional consultants specializes in state authorization and accreditation solutions tailored to meet your school's specific needs. We prioritize your success by offering a range of services, from assessment and evaluation to hands-on, task-level support. Whether you are pursuing first-time accreditation, state authorization, or addressing ongoing compliance requirements, EA provides the essential knowledge and resources necessary for your success. With 25 years of industry partnerships, we are well-versed in best practices and look forward to guiding and supporting your school's strategy, development, and compliance efforts.

Specializing in providing services to private postsecondary schools, van Rijn & Associates is a full-service Certified Public Accounting firm committed to serving clients with personalized attention. The firm supports both for-profit and not-for-profit institutions and is intimately involved in all phases of services to career schools with a solid reputation for being responsive and attentive to clients’ needs in a timely manner.

Almich & Associates is a Certified Public Accounting and Business Consulting firm headquartered in Lake Forest, California. The firm was formed in 1992 and consists of a group of professionals who are focused on the specific needs of organizations involved in the postsecondary education industry – both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Gurnick Academy is dedicated to supporting our students’ academic and professional success. We provide a comprehensive and holistic education, focusing on real-world skills and theoretical concepts. We are proud to offer individualized support to help students reach their goals. Our curriculum is comprehensive and multifaceted. It emphasizes core fundamentals while delving into more advanced topics to ensure our graduates leave with the technical know-how they need for their chosen profession.

Stanbridge University is an award-winning institution that offers undergraduate and graduate training in Nursing and Allied Health. Campuses in Orange County, Los Angeles, and Riverside, California offer innovative technology and hands-on learning opportunities. Accredited by Investors in People and Great Place to Work, Stanbridge is a community of problem-solvers and humanitarians, passionate about affecting change on a local and global scale. The result is a powerful culture of innovative thought, leadership, and deep human empathy.

Legacy Education is California-based with 3 schools on 5 campuses with a primary focus on nursing and allied health programs with a secondary emphasis on veterinary and business.

Every day our students are changing their lives by choosing a career path that is motivating, interesting and focused on helping others. They are on their Path to Purpose.

An industry-leading education compliance firm specializing in solution-oriented consulting. In a complex regulatory environment, the struggle to comply with state, federal, local and accreditation requirements can be overwhelming. Our approach emphasizes proactive compliance which includes identifying problem areas, mitigating risk and charting a way forward for your institution.

Marsha Fuerst founded North-West College (NWC) in 1966. Mrs. Fuerst’s family has been involved in the allied health field since the early 1950s. Today, North-West College continues to be led by Mrs. Fuerst’s son, Mitchell Fuerst. The Fuersts’ passion for career education and their desire to provide high quality, relevant training remains one of the guiding principles of the College.

In 2010, College leadership formed Success Education Colleges (SEC) to serve as the parent organization for the Colleges’ four brands: North-West College, Glendale Career College, Nevada Career Institute, and Marsha Fuerst School of Nursing. SEC’s campus in West Covina, California, functions as the Campus Support Center for its system of twelve postsecondary campuses.

NCCT, National Center for Competency Testing, is a certifying agency that works in partnership with quality academic programs. NCCT offers certifications in Medical Assisting, Medical Office Assisting, Phlebotomy Tech, Medical Insurance & Coding, ECG Tech., Surgical Tech, and Patient Care Tech. These certifications provide credentials and help in job placement for your students. They also meet varying state requirements for certification. NCCT certifications provide accountability and credibility for your programs while helping to ensure your students a more professional stature in the work community.

Job Machine is an AI-powered job placement platform built for career schools and workforce organizations. We automate the entire employment process for graduates and job seekers—creating optimized resumes, submitting high-quality job applications, scheduling interviews, and tracking employment outcomes. With Job Machine, schools and workforce providers can dramatically scale placement results without adding staff. Our software manages hundreds or thousands of candidates at once, while still providing personalized outcomes at scale. By streamlining job placement and automating reporting, we help institutions meet accreditation requirements, strengthen employer relationships, and ensure their graduates secure meaningful employment faster.

Elsevier Education empowers higher learning institutions and educators with exceptional content, learning technology, and assessment tools that help transform today’s students into tomorrow’s healthcare professionals.

Robert Johnson has been the Executive Director of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS) since 1997. Robert’s responsibilities include working closely with his Board of Directors and membership in representing the Association and the Private Postsecondary Education Sector to Policy Makers and the Public. He has worked with Governors, State and Local Legislators, Boards, Commissions, as well as State regulatory bodies such as the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) on matters relating to the Private Postsecondary Education Sector. He administers the Independent Coalition of Educators Political Action Committee (ICEPAC) and the CAPPS 501(c)3 Foundation. Robert is responsible for implementing sector capacity building programs, and spends much of his time advising member schools on business, regulatory, accrediting, and legal matters that may affect their institutional readiness. Before assuming his position as Executive Director of CAPPS, Robert managed public sector economic development and job training programs in California, including extensive work on Military Base closures. He also worked with Federal and State officials in crafting National Job Training Legislation. Robert has been an active member of the California State Bar Association since 1980.

Beylor Meza has been involved in campus operations since 2003. He has held positions in our industry in many capacities including Tutor, Instructor, Program Director, Director of Education, Executive Director, and Campus President. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Success Education Colleges where he helps support the daily operations of their seven campuses in California and Nevada.

Matt Back has worked in California politics for nearly 20 years, with experience both in and out of State Government. In this time, he gained extensive knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process, while developing strong contacts throughout state government. This experience, coupled with a strong reputation and work ethic, has helped the firm achieve success for its clients in California’s complex legislative and regulatory arena.

Keynote Speaker Scott Bloom is a corporate entertainer, comedian, and author renowned for blending laugh-out-loud humor with powerful business insights. For over two decades, he has been the go-to choice for organizations seeking high-impact presentations that do more than entertain as they create meaningful change.

Scott is known for transforming standard corporate keynotes into dynamic, interactive experiences that inspire authentic connection, boost collaboration, and energize teams. Drawing on his background in comedy, television, and psychology, he disarms audiences with laughter while delivering actionable strategies for building trust, improving communication, and fostering stronger professional relationships.

Edward M. Cramp represents institutions of higher education around the United States in accreditation, regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters. He also serves as the managing partner of the firm’s San Diego office. Mr. Cramp is active in the private postsecondary education community. He regularly speaks at conferences and events throughout the country on a variety of issues. Mr. Cramp served as a judge advocate in the United States Navy, where he was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his time in the naval service, he defended numerous matters before courts-martial and administrative boards. He also represented the interests of the United States in claims brought against and on behalf of the Navy. Mr. Cramp is a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and LGBTQ rights. He serves on the steering committee of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion program. He regularly represents members of the LGBTQ community in civil rights matters on a pro bono basis and is active in the local LGBTQ community. Mr. Cramp is admitted to practice in California and Illinois. He is a graduate, with honors, of the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law and a graduate of the University of California, Riverside.

Res Helfer is the Executive Director of ACCET and brings nearly 30 years of experience in accredited education and accreditation. His ACCET journey began as a student at an ACCET-accredited institution and has included roles as an instructor, school owner, Commissioner, Commission Chair, and ACCET staff member, providing him with a unique perspective on the accreditation process from virtually every angle.

A passionate advocate for quality education and continuous improvement, Res particularly enjoys visiting ACCET-accredited institutions, learning about their successes and challenges, and building strong partnerships that support student achievement. He is also leading efforts to modernize the accreditation process through technology, innovation, and digital transformation, helping ACCET improve efficiency while maintaining its commitment to educational excellence.

Widely respected throughout the ACCET community, Res is known for his practical approach, deep knowledge of ACCET standards, and commitment to advancing educational quality, student outcomes, and institutional excellence through collaboration, innovation, and strong partnerships.

Jessica S. High is a special counsel in the Trial Practice Group. She counsels private sector colleges and universities in their many specialized relationships, including matters of state and federal regulation, accreditation compliance and advocacy, and student and employee disputes and concerns. Ms. High brings an owner's perspective to the specialized work of counseling our education clients. Her family owns and operates a group of accredited private allied health colleges. Ms. High was a Campus Director and founder of their branch campus location. She spent over ten years in total employed by private sector colleges in their financial aid, admissions, accounting, student services, and human resources departments. Ms. High is a 2012 graduate of Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Timothy Lee has been in higher education for over 20 years with the majority of his experience working in the area of admissions. Prior to entering higher education, he taught special education and coached baseball. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from California State University San Bernardino and a Master of Business Administration from the University of LaVerne.

Ayad Mathews is an Associate Attorney in the Trial Practice Group at Duane Morris. He is part of the Firm’s Commercial Litigation and Trade Secrets and Noncompete Divisions. He has represented organizations operating in various industries, including higher education, finance, and technology. His practice focuses on regulatory challenges and a host of commercial laws, including trade secrets misappropriation, unfair competition, consumer protection, and fiduciary obligations. Ayad’s approach is straightforward and practical: he helps clients cut through legal complexity and focus on smart, strategic decisions. He graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine School of Law, where he received awards for outstanding academic performance in courses such as Federal Courts, Property, and Patent Law.

Dr. Leah Matthews began serving as the DEAC Executive Director on April 1, 2013. Dr. Matthews comes to DEAC from her previous position as Vice President for Recognition Services at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the national coordinating organization for higher education accrediting organizations. Prior to working with CHEA, Dr. Matthews served nearly 12 years on the staff of the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges. Dr. Matthews frequently speaks on the topic of accreditation and distance education. She served as a non-federal negotiator for the U.S. Department of Education's 2014 Rulemaking Sessions on multiple areas that included distance education state authorization. Dr. Matthews is currently serving an At-Large Member of the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) and served for six years from 2015-2021 as a board member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

Valerie is an experienced senior executive, consultant and board member, with more than 20 years of combined for-profit and traditional education experience. Over her career, Valerie has worked with multifaceted higher education institutions including Perdoceo (formerly known Career Education Corporation), American Career College, West Coast University, EduK, American Education Opportunities and Lake Forest College. Valerie has extensive compliance, risk management, regulatory affairs/operations, healthcare education (with primary emphasis on nursing), Title IX, and government relations experience as well as a fundamental understanding of how schools operate, enabling her to provide institutions with solution-oriented, practical recommendations on all matters relating to post-secondary education.

Yosef (Joseph) Mendelsohn is an accomplished speaker and educator in computer science and the AI-related fields of machine learning and predictive analytics. He has taught complex technical subjects over a period of nearly 20 years encompassing a wide range of fields including Machine Learning, Java, C++, Statistics, and others. Yosef has received numerous awards and accolades for his ability to explain complex topics in a clear and engaging manner. In the first year for which he was nominated, Yosef was awarded DePaul University's annual "Excellence in Teaching" award. He holds a Master’s degree in the Artificial Intelligence areas of Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning, which has led to consulting work in medical analytics, machine learning and AI. Yosef has consulted for various companies and startup organizations and has collaborated with major academic institutions including Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and DePaul University. Yosef holds an M.D. from Northwestern University Medical School. He also has a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance from DePaul University.

Peter Mikhail was born and raised in the industry. He is a second-generation school operator following his father, Mike Mikhail. He is a graduate of San Jose State University, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Following the passing of their father in 2010, Peter and his sister, assumed the operation of Mikhail Education Corporation.

Having spent all of his professional career devoted to higher education policy oversight and implementation, Tom Netting has an extensive knowledge of the laws and regulations governing all aspects of higher education. His considerable background and experience have afforded him the opportunity to view the development and implementation of federal higher education and workforce development policy in their entirety – including issues related to higher education and workforce development, health care, veteran affairs policies and the procurement of federal appropriations.

Dr. Kirk A. Nooks assumed the role of President and CEO of the Council on Occupational in May 2023, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to this esteemed position. He is entrusted with the overall leadership of the accreditation agency consisting of over 500 member institutions in over 40 states.

Dr. Mac Powell serves as President of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), a federally recognized institutional accreditor overseeing 138 institutions and over 3 million students in California, New York, Arizona, and the Pacific. He was the youngest college president in the United States at the time of his first installation and served as president of three universities, including John F. Kennedy University, where he led the institution’s successful efforts to become a service-learning institution and a federally recognized and funded Hispanic Serving Institution. Dr. Powell has contributed to the strategic direction of higher education through his service as Chair of the American Council of Education’s Commission on Educational Attainment and Innovation, as a Commissioner on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Commission, as a graduate of the WASC Assessment Leadership Academy, and as Chair of the Council of Applied Master’s Programs in Psychology. He currently serves as Vice Chair of The Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC) and on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Committee on Recognition. His most recent scholarship focuses on the value of higher education and the role of accreditation in promoting institutional transformation to serve all students. Dr. Powell holds bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and sociology, a master’s degree in sociology, and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Missouri, as well as an MBA from National University and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University.

Roger previously served nearly 14 years as general counsel and chief compliance officer for a multi-state system of colleges. He was also in private practice at Dow Lohnes in Washington specializing in higher education matters.

Roger worked at a nationally recognized accrediting agency for more than 13 years, eight of which he served as the associate executive director and associate executive director/in-house counsel. He is well-known across the country as a presenter on developments related to higher education accreditation, federal regulations, data privacy and numerous other legal issues.

Keith Zakarin exclusively represents private postsecondary schools and colleges. His representation of these schools nationwide includes such diverse areas of law as student and employee litigation, regulatory and administrative counseling and litigation, mergers and acquisitions, accreditation counseling and advocacy, employment counseling and risk management. Mr. Zakarin also owned and operated an accredited private college for thirteen years.

Bill Brown officially started working in his parents’ appliance store at the age of 13. Bill ran service calls, delivered and installed the equipment they sold, and also worked the sales floor. When the family relocated to California he worked for a vocational school his father, Don, ran in exchange for attending school learning refrigeration and air conditioning. Bill has served on the board of directors of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools and on several Program Advisory Committees for other schools.

Scott Casanover oversees the global legal and government affairs functions for West Coast University and American Career College. In this capacity he provides advanced litigation strategy, regulatory interpretation and guidance, and key corporate legal support to the schools he serves. Prior to joining WCU and ACC, Casanover was the General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer for Vatterott College in St. Louis, Missouri. He also served as General Counsel for MAC Meetings and Events, and as Litigation Counsel for the May Department Stores Companies. In addition to these positions, Casanover was an attorney in the St. Louis office of Husch Blackwell. He has nearly 20 years of professional legal experience in the areas of litigation, transactions, intellectual property, corporate governance and regulation, policy and compliance.

With more than 20 years of experience in the education sector, Mitch currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Campus Operations at Carrington College. For the past 18 years, he has been a dedicated leader within the organization, overseeing campus leadership, student services, and operational strategy to ensure an exceptional student experience.

Throughout his career, Mitch has successfully led and developed high-performing teams, driven operational excellence, and enhanced student engagement, retention, and outcomes. His leadership has contributed to expanding programs, strengthening employer partnerships, optimizing campus operations, and aligning strategic initiatives with institutional growth.

His core competencies include organizational leadership, staff development, enrollment management, student engagement, and financial oversight. Mitch is proud to be part of Carrington College’s mission to transform lives and communities through learning.

Mitch holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and a BA in Political Science from Cal Poly Pomona. Passionate about student success, he is committed to providing quality education and support services that empower students to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Steve is a member of Gombos Leyton PC where he works in the Higher Education and Immigration groups. Since 2005, Steve has advised career colleges and institutions of higher education on a wide array of compliance issues involving federal student aid, accreditation, state authorization, and consumer protection matters. Steve has represented clients in administrative matters before the Department of Education’s Office of Hearings and Appeals and Office of Civil Rights, as well as before national and regional accrediting commissions, state authorizing agencies, and professional licensing boards. He works closely with clients to develop and implement internal policies and procedures to improve compliance with applicable laws and defends them from enforcement actions.

Susan Ciardullo serves as Executive Director of the Arizona Private School Association, representing Arizona’s private postsecondary education sector. She brings extensive experience in higher education, workforce development, community engagement, and public policy, along with nearly two decades of leadership service with APSA prior to becoming Executive Director. Susan has served on several education and workforce boards and commissions, including the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Marquette University.

Chris has over 30 years of experience providing legal, financial, and management services to business owners and career school operators. In addition to being a licensed attorney, Chris is also a certified public accountant (inactive status). Chris provides legal counsel to both buyers and sellers in transactions involving the change in ownership of regulated institutions of higher education. He represents schools in dispute resolution with the U.S. Department of Education and accrediting agencies and provides ongoing legal counsel and guidance to schools navigating the regulatory and compliance challenges of owning and operating institutions of higher education.

Charles Elliott graduated from LaSalle University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and with a major concentration of study in Accounting. He administered the Workmen’s Compensation program for the City of Philadelphia, was a revenue examiner in the Department of Revenue, and an economic crime investigation specialist in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office.

Charles investigated economic crime including employee theft, financial fraud, worker’s compensation fraud and municipal corruption. He has provided expert testimony in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, and the Commonwealth of PA Court of Common Pleas, criminal and civil divisions.

Charles has written articles that have been published in the White Paper and the Pennsylvania CPA Journal. He presents continuing education programs to CPAs, attorneys, and other professionals, including CPAs from Mongolia, in the areas of fraud, forensic accounting, and litigation services on behalf of the PICPA and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.

Charles is a member of the AICPA, PICPA and ACFE. He is a member of the PICPA Committee on Forensic and Litigation Services and is the chairman of that committee. He was a member of the PICPA Journal Editorial Board. Chairman of the PICPA Greater Philadelphia Chapter Committee on Cooperation with the Bar and Other Professionals and served on the PICPA Philadelphia Chapter Executive Committee. He was a member of the PICPA Scholarship Trust. He was a member of the LaSalle University Advisory Committee on Fraud and Forensic Accounting and a guest lecturer in the Masters Program in Fraud and Forensic Accounting.

Charles has appeared on national television on two occasions as a result of a successful investigation of internet adoption fraud, as well as a spokesman for the PICPA in a matter related to consumer complaints involving a national tax preparation company. He has participated in successful prosecutions of municipal employees, recipients of public funds, officers of charitable organizations and other individuals who violated their fiduciary responsibilities. He has conducted criminal and civil investigations involving employee theft, bankruptcy fraud, shareholder fraud, as well as regulatory violations of post-secondary educational institutions. He has also investigated money laundering, Patriot Act violations and assisted in Federal False Claims Act litigation.

Chief of Staff & Senior Vice President. Joe Fisher joined Student First with more than 25 years of experience in higher education—over 20 of which have been focused exclusively on student information systems. As an implementation consultant, project manager, and sales executive, Joe has helped clients find solutions to the complex business challenges facing higher education. At Student First, Joe brings his collaborative approach and problem-solving skills to help institutions of all sizes fulfill their mission through modern technology.

Steve’s practice focuses on strategic planning. He has over 28 years of litigation experience, including trying 75 cases in federal and state courts and arguing appeals in six federal circuit courts and the Supreme Court of Virginia. As Gombos Leyton’s senior litigation partner, Steve litigates cases in a wide‑range of areas, with a particular focus on the False Claims Act and white-collar defense, higher education law, and government contracts. Steve also has extensive experience conducting investigations involving allegations of civil fraud, white-collar crimes, and regulatory violations, and assisting clients in responding to civil investigative demands and government subpoenas. In addition to those areas, Steve has represented business clients in actions alleging business torts, intellectual property, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate governance, and data breach matters.

Michael Hallinan is Vice President of Security and Emergency Management at West Coast University, bringing more than 34 years of experience in public safety, law enforcement, and higher education security. His career includes leadership roles with The Claremont Colleges, UC Irvine Police Department, and the City of Irvine Police Department, along with service with the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and POST Command College.

Ron brings 38 years of experience in a broad range of commercial and general litigation matters in various industries regionally and across the country. He has a national practice representing institutions of higher learning in litigation, regulatory matters and business transactions, including program reviews, administrative proceedings, student claims, state and federal court litigation, changes of ownership, and accrediting and state licensing agency disputes. He is a past member of the Federal Affairs Committee of the Association of Private Sector Career Colleges & Universities (APSCU) and a past member and past chair of the Litigation Committee of CCA, APSCU’s predecessor. Ron served a two-year clerkship with the late United States District Judge Russell G. Clark before entering private practice. He has served as lead counsel and successfully prosecuted and defended substantial claims in commercial, banking, antitrust, environmental, employment, insurance and higher education litigation matters, including complex commercial cases.

As Director of Career Services and Talent Acquisition, Dave partners with healthcare employers throughout California matching our graduates and hiring passionate and talented instructors to teach at our 6 campuses in California. Working within a growing and tightening employment healthcare market, it excites me to share 20 + years of results-focused staffing, recruiting, educational & career services experiences with Gurnick Graduates and employer partners.

Kevin J. LaMountain, M.Ed., serves as Executive Director of the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. He brings extensive experience in higher education administration, institutional operations, and regulatory oversight, having held senior leadership roles across multiple postsecondary education organizations. In his current role, he leads Arizona’s oversight of private postsecondary institutions, with a focus on institutional compliance, student protection, state authorization, and regulatory policy.

Timothy Lee has been in higher education for over 20 years with the majority of his experience working in the area of admissions. Prior to entering higher education, he taught special education and coached baseball. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from California State University San Bernardino and a Master of Business Administration from the University of LaVerne.

Lynelle Lynch is the Owner and CEO of Bellus Academy, a beauty and wellness academy based in the San Diego region. She took over as President and Owner in August 2005 and has led initiatives aimed at elevating beauty and wellness education through advanced training, career development, and strong industry partnerships.

Lynelle is the founder of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, a nonprofit focused on empowering the next generation of beauty professionals with a mission to make beauty and wellness a first-choice profession. The foundation has raised more than $9 million to support students entering the field.

Valerie is an experienced senior executive, consultant and board member, with more than 20 years of combined for-profit and traditional education experience. Over her career, Valerie has worked with multifaceted higher education institutions including Perdoceo (formerly known Career Education Corporation), American Career College, West Coast University, EduK, American Education Opportunities and Lake Forest College. Valerie has extensive compliance, risk management, regulatory affairs/operations, healthcare education (with primary emphasis on nursing), Title IX, and government relations experience as well as a fundamental understanding of how schools operate, enabling her to provide institutions with solution-oriented, practical recommendations on all matters relating to post-secondary education.

Sally has worked in a variety of marketing roles for National Career Education, Corinthian Colleges - the Titan Schools Division (WyoTech) and CDI Colleges in Canada, Gryphon Colleges, and began her own marketing firm 360 Degree Strategic Marketing in 2006. Upon the passing of her beloved father, Mike Mikhail in July 2010, Sally joined her brother, Peter in returning to the family school, operating Advanced Training Institute, in Las Vegas. In 2012, Mikhail Education went on to reacquire the Institute For Business & Technology schools, sold by their father in 2004. Sally truly has a passion for career education and served as President of the California Association for Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS) in 2023.

David has substantial experience defending clients in federal and state-court litigation, administrative proceedings, arbitrations, and appellate matters. Joining the Firm in 2016, David’s practice focuses on general business and employment litigation, higher education, and government contracts matters, as well as cases involving the False Claims Act. David also focuses on brewery and distillery law practice. As part of Gombos Leyton’s appellate practice team, David has helped author several briefs in the Federal Circuit Courts. Prior to joining Gombos Leyton, David represented numerous insurance companies in a wide range of matters, with a particular focus on appellate practice. David has successfully handled over a dozen cases before the Court of Appeals of Virginia, including drafting motions and briefs and performing oral arguments.

Lisa is a veteran marketing and admissions expert. She joined Gragg Advertising in 2005 and currently oversees the Business Development Department and assists with the Client Service Department. Lisa is a trusted, strategic partner for clients across the country in building an effective media mix that focuses on start goals and conversion rates. Formerly an Admissions Director and Recruiter for nationally accredited schools; Lisa brings a wealth of career college expertise to the agency through hosting Gragg’s monthly educational webinars that help train hundreds of career school personnel. She has presented at several state and national conferences including CECU, CSPEN, ACCET, ABHES, CAPPS, MACCS and many more.

As Chief Business Officer, Micaela brings a background in higher education, coaching, and career development to the organization. Micaela has observed the Department of Education’s shift toward the gainful employment of our graduates. As a result, what excites her the most about her role, is sharing Career TEAM’s 20 years of Workforce Development experience with partner institutions and, ultimately, with graduates. Prior to Career TEAM, she served as National Director of Sales for McGraw Hill Education. Micaela completed the Accomplishment Coaching leadership and coaches training program in 2013 and she is also a certified trainer in the Aha! Process, Bridges Out Of Poverty program. A Cum Laude graduate from San Diego State University with a BA in International Business; Micaela gets to enjoy beautiful views from her home in Denver, CO. Favorite Core Value: #7 – We ZAG!

Phillip Quintana serves as General Counsel for Unitek Learning, where he oversees all legal and compliance functions across the organization’s family of institutions. In this capacity, he leads initiatives to mitigate institutional risk, ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, and promote a culture of integrity and accountability across all Unitek campuses and programs.

Before joining Unitek, Phillip served as Assistant General Counsel at West Coast University from 2019 to 2022, providing comprehensive legal guidance on institutional, academic, and business matters. Earlier, he spent over a decade with Apollo Education Group as Senior Corporate Counsel and Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs. There, he managed multi-state regulatory authorizations for campuses and programs, served as the primary legal contact for 13 states, and contributed to the drafting of statutory revisions impacting proprietary education in Alabama, Colorado, and Utah.

Phillip holds a Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Outside of his legal career, he enjoys pickup basketball, skiing, and watching college sports.

LeeAnn Rohmann has served as Founder, Chief Executive Officer since July 2010 and Chairman of the board of directors since October 2009. She is a past President of the California Association of Private Post Secondary Schools (CAPPS) and has been a member since 2010. Additionally, she is a member of the Federal Legislative Committee for the Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) and has been a member since 2014.

Sally is one of the country’s leading authorities on Federal financial aid administration with more than 45 years of “in the trenches” experience. As a respected industry leader, she is frequently called upon to speak at school, accrediting, regional and state conferences. Sally brings real life experiences, observations and illustrations to her audience adding a touch of humor to regulatory compliance. Her style makes the sometime complex topics easy to understand and audiences always come away with practical knowledge that they can apply to their everyday situations.

Danaelle Saucedo is a Career Services Manager at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, where she supports students and graduates in career development, employer engagement, and workforce preparation. She works closely with healthcare employers to create meaningful connections, strengthen career opportunities, and help students successfully transition from education into the workforce.

Jacob works in the Firm’s litigation practice, representing clients in high-stakes litigation. He primarily defends companies facing massive potential liability under the False Claims Act. Since joining Gombos Leyton, Jacob has had a significant role litigating FCA cases in federal courts nationwide and provided strategic advice to clients throughout the litigation process. In addition to his significant experience defending clients facing FCA liability, Jacob represents clients in a broad range of civil litigation, including administrative law, employment law, higher-education law, and commercial disputes.

Dr. Janelle R. Sokolowich is Chief Academic Officer at Success Education Colleges and a nationally recognized leader in health education innovation. With over a decade in higher education leadership, she has directed academic operations for 40,000+ students across institutions like Western Governors University and Chamberlain University. Her expertise spans nursing education, faculty development, and technology-enhanced learning. Dr. Sokolowich’s research explores multilingual learner support and hybrid learning environments, informing inclusive pedagogy and digital faculty engagement. A published scholar, she champions equity, competency-based education, and transformative academic design.

As a nursing education specialist at Elsevier, Dee provides faculty with invaluable guidance on implementing active teaching strategies and effectively utilizing digital resources. Drawing from a diverse nursing background that includes family practice, women’s health, and pediatrics, Dee brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Dee's teaching experience spans various educational environments, encompassing lab, clinical, simulation, and didactic instruction at all educational levels, whether in-person or online. She advocates for the integration of clinical practices into the classroom to enhance students' critical thinking and clinical judgment abilities. Furthermore, Dee's extensive knowledge in curriculum design, program evaluation, and accreditation processes enhances her capacity to assist faculty in delivering top-tier nursing education.

Jack Woll is the managing partner of Almich & Associates. Jack began his career with Arthur Andersen in 1982, where he was involved in auditing clients in a variety of industries. Since joining Almich & Associates in 1995, Jack has been involved in over 1,500 engagements with postsecondary educational institutions. Jack has significant expertise in educational institutions’ financial statement and compliance audits, non-profit educational institutions’ audits as required under the Single Audit Act, and numerous regulatory compliance matters.

Keith Zakarin exclusively represents private postsecondary schools and colleges. His representation of these schools nationwide includes such diverse areas of law as student and employee litigation, regulatory and administrative counseling and litigation, mergers and acquisitions, accreditation counseling and advocacy, employment counseling and risk management. Mr. Zakarin also owned and operated an accredited private college for thirteen years.