Chris Bentley

About Chris Bentley

Highlights: Life-long Eco-Warrior and Eco-preneur. Driven by insatiable curiosity. Started or jump-started 13 companies/organizations to date. Passionate Mentor of our future leaders at the University of Colorado and elsewhere.Past: Grew up on the banks of the Mississippi. My father owned a 100-person commercial architecture firm that was designing LEED style buildings decades before that certification. I was always eco-learning on his job sites. YMCA camp counselor during teenage years, hitchhiked to almost every state, earned an MBA at night while selling businesses during the day, then traveled around the World non-stop for two years with my girlfriend focusing on emerging nations. During this life-defining experience, wrote \'The GlobeJotter\' detailing our adventures, the cultures, customs, religions; eco-destruction that was well underway across our planet.deforestation, open sewer trenches running right into the bathing and drinking water source. Ugh!Upon returning, moved to Colorado. I was drawn to Aspen for its concentration on environmental thought leadership, throwing myself into the emerging eco-movement. Founded Bentley Marketing Plus to strategically advise companies. Co-founded my 1st (of 3) pet products companies (Aspen Pet Products) which became the largest pet supply company in the US. Thus, cultivating my passion for entrepreneurship and enviro-stewardship, leading me to envision the Pet Sustainability Coalition.Present: My life during the 2020’s focuses on volunteering for projects that reverse the Climate Catastrophe, such as: Guiding PSC, Mentoring CU MBA & MENV students along with women-led start-ups focused on eco-endeavors, Spike Center for Sustainability Education, expanding Mentorship availability campus-wide.Expertise: I don’t consider myself an expert on anything. But I have lots of experience in business planning, the pet industry, CPG, adventure travel, connecting the dots, renewable energy, sustainability, circularity and regenerative principles. I attended COP21 in Paris and COP26 in Glasgow.Specialties: Identifying challenges, offering creative solutions, and implementing significant changes. SWOT analysis. Master networker and connector to develop synergistic relationships. For decades my colleagues have called me the \"Make It Happen\" guy.Hobbies: Exploring, adult education, adventure travel, breaking horses, black-diamond snowboarding, canoeing, sailing, scuba diving, watching rodeos and rugby.Motto: “Be sure everyone you meet, feels a little better for having met you!”

Experience

1. Visionary, Co-founder, Board Member for Life, and Chairman of the Board Emeritus

   Pet Sustainability Coalition

   Dec 2011 — Present · Boulder, CO, US

   With a desire to leave a lasting eco-legacy in an industry that I have decades of experience in, I had the Vision, then Co-Founded and Chaired a now flourishing nonprofit organization that provides web-based tools, resources, education, and events to improve the environmental performance, social impact, and profitability of the pet products industry.Started by recruiting a world-class Executive Director, then made her my Co-Founder. Built a highly-engaged, industry-leading Board of Directors to consistently improve the organization to meet performance metrics and exceed goals.Developed C-Suite outreach strategy to encourage executive leaders within all segments of the pet industry to engage their business in sustainability action.2023 was the official 10th Anniversary of the Pet Sustainability Coalition. With this major milestone, I am focusing on more IMPACT by helping take our organization from 200+ members on 5 continents to 500. From 11 staff to 25. From 100% membership revenue-driven to additional revenue from donors, sponsors, and grants. To help lead this long-term effort, I have bequeathed 10% of my estate to the Pet Sustainability Coalition. I always have been, and always will be, a volunteer in our organization focused on \"greening up\" companies in the pet industry.See the links below to view my podcast interview with Jane Miller,\"Choosing Hope: Resilience & Leadership,\" and my 10th Anniversary of PSC \"Keep on the Sunny Side\" presentation.

Education

• Green Mountain College Vermont

  Executive MBA Sustainable Business Leadership Program, Sustainability and Environmental Studies

• HeatSpring

  Professional Continuing Education, Solar Design & Installation

  2016

• Pepperdine University

  MBA, Business

  1980 — 1981

• Michigan State University - Eli Broad College of Business

  BA, Business

  1974 — 1979

• University of Denver

  LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Associate Certified

  2010 — 2010

Skills

• Strategic Planning
• Corporate Development
• Start-Ups
• Consumer Products
• Market Research
• Strategic Partnerships
• Product Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Social Media
• Customer Service
• Product Management
• Forecasting
• E-Commerce
• Market Planning
• Business Planning
• Cleantech
• Sustainability
• Leadership
• Competitive Analysis
• Direct Sales
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Sales Presentations
• Product Development
• Integrated Marketing
• Strategy
• Public Relations
• Brand Development
• Executive Management
• Social Networking
• Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Budgets