Chris has been part of the lawn & garden and horticulture industry for more than 30 years. As the former leader of a multi-generational family-held company, he closely defined the business ownership succession, gaining deep insight into the legal, financial, strategic and emotional challenges of multiple family stakeholders. Chris is a CEPA® (Certified Exit Planning Advisor), a Certified Value Builder™, and an approved ExitMap® Plan Advisor. The CEPA® credential is the world's most widely endorsed exit planning designation. He has helped many horticultural business owners prepare and plan for their eventual transition via internal succession or external third-party sale. Chris is a member of AmericanHort and the NHPA. In addition, he has authored many articles on industry succession and exit planning, culminating in conducting the first-ever State of Succession & Exit Planning in the Horticultural Industry Survey. He has been a speaker and seminar host multiple times at industry events, including Cultivate, TPIE, and regional nursery association conferences.