Kenton Epard
Contents
Intro
Kenton's career began in Silicon Valley, where he worked for Texas Instruments in the semiconductor industry during the internet boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s. This dynamic exposure provided him with extensive experience working with fast-paced, technology-oriented companies in various sales and product management roles.
In the mid-2000s, Kenton relocated to Colorado and joined Level 3 Communications. There, he played a crucial role in rolling out product development, resource management, product valuation, and other processes across the entire development workforce.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Kenton embarked on his first entrepreneurial endeavor in 2007 when he co-founded Airstream Energy (ASE) with Cameron Epard. ASE developed early-stage wind farm projects, eventually selling its projects to entities such as Acciona Group, NextEra, Juwi Power, Invenergy, Infinity Power, Engie, and Terra-Gen Power/ArcLight Capital. ASE's development projects have resulted in nearly 1,000MW of operating wind generation capacity, leading to a highly successful exit for Airstream's investors.
Community Involvement
Kenton strongly believes in investing in one's community through philanthropy, service, or volunteerism, considering it incumbent upon all individuals to "give back" or "pay it forward."
Religious Organization Experience
Kenton served a six-year term on the vestry (church board) of Christ Episcopal Church and the International School of Denver. These tenures involved significant organizational challenges, including executive leadership transitions, new executive search processes, and executive onboarding initiatives, in which Kenton played a material advisory role.
At Christ Episcopal Church, Kenton acted on the Search Committee to select and hire a new rector and contributed to the church's strategic visioning process. Once the new rector was installed, he was part of a three-person Executive team charged with executing a turnaround to ensure the church's long-term stability, regularly advising the new rector on organizational priorities, focus areas, personnel changes, and budgetary matters.
School Board Experience
Kenton's eight-year board service at the International School of Denver was broad, deep, challenging, and rewarding. He wore multiple hats, including Vice President of the Board, member of two Head of School Search Committees, and Chair of the Building Committee. As Vice President, he led the purchase of an adjacent office building, regularly advised the Head of the School, was the Board representative for a Board/Leadership audit, and was a key participant in creating the school's strategic plan. As Chair of the Building Committee, he led the creation of the Campus Master Plan and the school's new $20M middle school building.
Non-Profit Company Experience
As an active angel investor, Kenton has invested in over twelve startup companies and served on four boards. He has advised and consulted with startup CEOs on rapid growth, employee role alignment, capital raises, productivity strategies, customer acquisition strategies, pitch decks, down-rounds, corporate distress situations, corporate work-outs, wind-downs, restructurings, loss of key personnel, and multi-party investment rounds.
In 2021, Kenton started a cryptocurrency mining company, which remains operational as market conditions allow.
Kenton also owns private rental properties in Denver and is versed in managing real estate assets and lease contracts.
Family Business Experience
Growing up on a western Kansas Century family farm, Kenton has personal experience and a deep understanding of the unique dynamics of family-owned businesses, which combine business, familial, and personal dynamics.
Education
- Wharton School of Business // MBA
- Kansas State University // Bachelor's of Science in Electrical Engineering (Cum Laude)
