While at Kwal, Kent implemented a direct sales strategy that increased revenues from $20MM to $50MM in five years. Confident that this strategy could be successfully implemented in other regional companies, he partnered with a private equity company, The Jordan Company, to form a new “holding” company, ProPaint, Inc. (PPI). Their first acquisition was the U.S. paint division of Williams PLC, which included four regional paint companies: three in the western U.S. and one in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. In seven years, revenues for ProPaint grew from $179MM to $550MM. ProPaint was sold in 2008 and Kent retired from the coatings industry but continue to work as an “industry expert” with the private equity firm. At the Jordan Company, Kent's focus continues to be acquisitions in the chemicals industry and light manufacturing. Kent can be reached via email at kchild@vrmilehigh.com.