Karl Gentles

Karl E. Gentles, APR

Karl E. Gentles |APR, MBA | President/CEO

Karl Gentles is the president and CEO of KGPR, LLC, a Phoenix-based public relations company. With more than 20 years of public relations experience, Gentles has helped shape the political, corporate affairs and reputation strategies for several of Arizona’s most recognized organizations including USAA, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Bank One and others. Forming KGPR in 2007, the company’s practice areas include corporate public relations, government relations & public affairs ,strategic communications, and charitable and nonprofit consulting.

Current and previous clients include Back to School Clothing Drive, Fisher Sand and Gravel, Bank of the West, Essex Credit, Midwestern University, NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care, Arizona School Choice Trust, NFL Experience, Judge Cody Williams, Arizona School Tuition Organizations Association, Michael Brad Bayless and Associates, and others. Under Gentles’ leadership the Back to School Clothing Drive developed a social enterprise creating an online retail store serving the school uniform needs of more than 175 Title 1 public elementary schools.

Prior to forming his company, Gentles served as Director of Corporate Communications for USAA, a diversified financial services firm serving members of the military and their families. At USAA he directed all employee and public communications for the Phoenix campus and led a successful effort to win the 2003 Best Place to Work award from The Business Journal of Phoenix and the Great Place to Work Institute. At Bank One Gentles served as a regional marketing manager directing specialty marketing and community development initiatives for the Bank’s Western Region. He also served as corporate relations manager responsible for various public affairs issues including the Bank’s Political Action Committee. Gentles began his career as a staff assistant to U.S. Senator John McCain.

A two-time graduate of The Arizona State University (go Devils), Gentles earned his undergraduate degree in Organizational Communication, and a Masters of Business Administration from the W.P. Carey School of Business. He holds an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America and is a past president of the organization’s Phoenix Chapter. Gentles is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, a director and board secretary of the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority, and a director of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce where he heads the public policy committee.

Gentles is a 25-year resident of Phoenix, a news and political junkie, obsessed with trains, life-long Michael Jackson fan, and a son attending college in Arizona.

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  December 2011 - Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has named its 11th class of five Piper Fellows, including KGPR President & Back to School Clothing Drive Executive Director Karl Gentles, a leader that work daily on the frontlines to improve quality of life for people in Maricopa County’s diverse communities. Through the Piper Fellowship, these dedicated nonprofit leaders will participate in self-designed professional development sabbaticals to further strengthen their skills and bring new knowledge back to the organizations they lead and serve.

  November 2011 --- February 12, 2012, marks a major milestone for KGPR as the agency celebrates five (5) years of delivering successful public relations counsel to a variety of clients in Phoenix, San Francisco, Houston and elsewhere.

  October 2011 -- KGPR Client Mayo Clinic and the Coalition of Blacks Against Breast cancer won top honors at the 2011 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure taking home the award for organization with the most cancer survivors and largest nonprofit/community group team!

  July 2011 - KGPR Client Back to School Clothing Drive topped 10,000 kids served and over $1.8 million dollars of new school uniforms, outfits, and school supplies distributed during the annual New Clothes New Beginnings Distribution event in Phoenix.

  June 28, 2011 -- As the city of Phoenix prepares to host the 82nd MLB Midsummer Classic, Bank of America, the Official Bank of Major League Baseball®, is celebrating with the spirit of giving back and teamwork by inviting the community to “Give like an All-Star” and join the bank in its support for local schoolchildren in need. Donate school supplies at one of 120 Valley banking centers.

  June 2011 -- KGPR has added Kahala to its growing client list. One of the fastest growing franchising companies in North America, Kahala Corp is a privately held corporation dedicated to the franchising, development, and marketing of quick-service restaurants. Kahala brands include Cold Stone Creamery, Samurai Sam, and Blimpie among their franchises. KGPR will provide public relations services to help grow their brand in identified markets.