Next Step Advisors

David C. Bentall, founder of Next Step Advisors Inc., is a graduate of UBC's Commerce Faculty and Harvard's Business School. For twenty years, Mr. Bentall worked in his family's real estate and construction businesses. During his years as President and CEO of Dominion Construction, the business doubled in size to just under $300 million in sales.

Mr. Bentall also played a leading role in several landmark projects across Canada, including the widely acclaimed G.M. Place in Vancouver and the TD Centre Office Complex in downtown Winnipeg. Subsequently, David was a key player in the successful Vancouver Whistler 201O Olympic bid.

The same creative energy and focused determination that marked his career in business is now available to individuals and families to help them identify and resolve their issues. Mr. Bentall is a gifted moderator and a trained facilitator. He is also an experienced executive/life coach and an outstanding speaker.

Contact Info:
David Bentall's Office
604.317.2624
Toll Free: 1.866.594.4012
2610 50th Avenue West
Vancouver, BC V6P1B7
bentall@nxtstp.net

Next Step Advisors can help you with:

Separating business and family issues
Negotiating working relationships between family members
Facilitating strategic retreats
Moderating family council meetings
Assembling an initial board of directors (to include outside directors)
Keynote speaking engagements
Executive coaching
Mentoring of younger executives
Strategic planning
Team-building workshops
Leadership training
Life-coaching

Education:

University of British Columbia - B. Comm. 1979
Harvard Business School - OPM Graduate 1995
Moderator Training - Young Presidents' Organization 1998
Facilitators Training - Business Families Foundation 1999
Family Firm Institute / Essentials course 2002
CAFE / Leading Family Councils 2002
Coaches Training Institute / Co-active Coaching 2003
Certified Professional Co-active Coach (ICF) 2006
Certificate in Family Business Advising (Family Firm Institute) 2006

Board Memberships - Past & Present

Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific (Vancouver Island)
Hope International (a third world relief and development organization)
B.C. Business Council (Vice Chair)
Saint George's School (Chairman)
Arrow Leadership (an international leadership training group)
Young Life of Canada
Langham Trust (a developing world scholarship fund)

Mr. Bentall has lived and worked in Calgary, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. These varied experiences give him a breadth of perspective with which to approach almost any issue.

Passion/Athleticism:

Mr. Bentall played on championship rugby teams both with Magee High School and The University of British Columbia. David is also a competitive water skier. The energy and enthusiasm which has resulted in athletic achievement adds vigor to his personal style when working with families. His waterski achievements to date include:

Gold Medal – Western Canadian Waterski Championships, 2001
Silver Medal, National Waterski Championships, 2001 and 2002
New B.C. Record, Men’s IV Slalom, 2004, 2005, and 2007
8th place finalist, Senior World Waterski Championships, South Africa, 2006

In 2009, in men's 5 slalom, I was fortunate enough to....

1) Win a gold medal at Provincials
2) Win a gold medal at Westerns
3) Win a gold medal at Nationals
4) Set a new Men's 5 National Record.

Family:

David and his wife Alison have been married for over 25 years. They have four wonderful children: Christy, Jonathan, Jennifer, and Stephanie.

Writings/Published Works/Professorships:

David recently released his first book, The Company You Keep: The Transforming Power of Male Friendship. This accomplishment has earned him two awards from the The Word Guild 2005 Canadian Christian Writing Awards.
David's Book can be purchased on the website by clicking on the First Book Link. The Awards can be viewed at the The Word Guild Website.

David has published a magazine article entitled Business, Balance and Learning to Live. Click title to view.

David has been appointed an adjunct professorship to the University of British Columbia.

Upcoming Courses at Sauder School of Business:

Business Undergrad Course- “Managing the Family Business” Spring 2008

MBA Program - "Managing the Family Business" Fall 2008