Founder Bio Details
About Kenton Epard
Kenton started his career in Silicon Valley, working for Texas Instruments, in semiconductors during the internet boom of the late 1990's/early 2000's. This dynamic and broad exposure gave him extensive experience in working with fast-paced technology-oriented companies in a variety of sales and product management roles.
In the mid 2000's, Kenton moved to Colorado and began work at Level 3 Communications. In this role, he was instrumental in rolling out product development, resource management, product valuation, and other processes across the entire development workforce.
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. ASE sold it's project to entities such as Acciona Group, NextEra, Juwi Power, Invenergy, Infinity Power, Engie, and Terra-Gen Power/ArcLight Capital. ASE's development projects have converted into nearly 1,000MW of operating wind generation capacity, which has resulted in a highly successful exit for Airstream's investors.
For Profit Company Experience
Kenton is a big believer in investing in one's community. Be it through philanthropy, service, or volunteerism, giving it back, paying it forward - whatever label fits - is incumbent upon all of us.
Religious Organization Experience
Kenton served six years on his local church board (vestry) and the International School of Denver. Both tenures involved significant organizational challenges, including planned or sudden executive leadership departures, new executive search processes, and executive onboarding initiatives. Kenton played a material role in advising or making recommendations for these challenges.
In addition to vestry service at Christ Episcopal Church, he 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 one of a three-person Executive team who were charged with executing a turn-around of the church to ensure long-term stability. He regularly advised the new rector on organization 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 the hats of 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
Private Equity 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. This company remains operational as market conditions allow.
Kenton also owns private rental properties in Denver and is versed in lease contracts and in managing real estate assets.
Family Business Experience
Growing up on a western Kansas Century family farm, Kenton has personal experience and a deep understanding of the dynamics of family-owned businesses, which are unique in that they combine business, familial, and personal dynamics.
Education
2004 - 2006
Wharton School of Business
Obtained a Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
1990 - 1994
Kansas State University
Obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Electrical Engineerig (Cum Laude)