<p>Chris has been involved in the Horticulture, Lawn & Garden, and Consumer Products industries for over 30 years. As the former leader of a multi-generational family-held company, he closely defined business ownership succession, gaining deep insight into the legal, financial, strategic, and emotional challenges of multiple family stakeholders. Since then, he has helped many owners transition from their businesses via family succession, internal transfer, ESOP, or a third-party sale.</p><p>Chris is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), Certified Value Builder Advisor™ (CVBA), Accredited Value Guide™, and a Professional ExitMap® Advisor (PEMA). The CEPA® credential is the most widely endorsed exit planning designation in the world. Chris is a member of AmericanHort, FNGLA, and the NHPA. In addition, he has authored many articles on succession and exit planning in industry publications. He has been a speaker and seminar host multiple times at Cultivate, Farwest, TPIE, Garden Center Conference & Expo, GROW Executive Summit, and regional association events. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University and an MBA from Saint Louis University.</p>