Karl Gentles

About Karl Gentles

Karl Gentles drives business growth and advances corporate reputations and market positions through proactive public relations strategies. His executive leadership delivers results in strategic communications, public affairs and government relations.Karl serves as a partner at The Gentles Agency. The firm helps business understand the impacts of geopolitical issues on corporate strategy and operations. The firm specialities include strategic communications, government relations, public affairs, corporate social responsibility, event production, media and political strategy. In 2020, Gentles ran for US Congress to represent the Sixth Congressional District of Arizona. He is a frequent guest on public affairs and news show providing analysis and commentary on national policy, politics & social issues.Prior to forming The Gentles Agency, he served in executive leadership positions at USAA, Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), Bank One, and began his career as a staff assistant for U.S. Senator John McCain.In addition to his agency and corporate work, Gentles served as executive director of Back to School Clothing Drive, a nonprofit that helps break down barriers to early childhood school success.Gentles is a 2011 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Fellow. He has completed executive certificate courses in Nonprofit Management from the Georgetown University Center for Nonprofit and Civic Leadership; and a certificate in social entrepreneurship from the INSEAD School of Business in Fountainbleau, France. He is accredited in public relations (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America.A proud two-time Sun Devil, Gentles earned his master’s of business administration and bachelor’s of science in organizational communication from Arizona State University.

Experience

1. Partner, Client Strategy

   The Gentles Agency

   Jan 2007 — Present

   The Gentles Agency specializes in strategic communications, government relations, event production, and public relations. We drive success thru insightful, creative, strategic communications counsel, and building mutually beneficial relationships with your corporate, government, community, and consumer audiences. We create the strategy, build the brand and message, and communicate with the right audiences, at the right time, through the right channels.

Education

• Georgetown University

  Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

• INSEAD

  Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship

• Arizona State University

  B.S., Organizational Communication

  1984 — 1987

• W. P. Carey School of Business – Arizona State University

  Masters of Business Administration

  1995 — 1997