# Kevin Gentry

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{{Infobox person
| name               = Kevin Gentry
| honorific_prefix   = 
| honorific_suffix   = 
| image              = Kevingentry2025.png
| image_size         = 
| caption            = Gentry in 2025
| birth_name         = 
| citizenship        = United States
| alma_mater         = [College of William & Mary](/source/College_of_William_%26_Mary)
| employer           = [Koch Industries](/source/Koch_Industries) <br> [Stand Together](/source/Stand_Together) <br> TenX Strategies
| organization       = 
| notable_works      = 
| boards             = 
| website            = {{URL|tenxstrategies.com}}
}}

'''Kevin Gentry''' is a conservative political [activist](/source/activist), [fundraiser](/source/fundraiser), and [podcast](/source/podcast)er who served as vice president of [Stand Together](/source/Koch_family_foundations).<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauriebennett/2012/03/02/who-knew-that-cato-had-shareholders/3/ | author=Bennett, Laurie| title = Who Knew That Cato Had Shareholders? |work=[Forbes](/source/Forbes)|date=March 2, 2012|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref><ref name=koch>{{cite web | url = https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/09/exclusive-audio-koch-brothers-seminar-tapes| author=Friedman, Brad| title = Exclusive Audio: Inside the Koch Brothers' Secret Seminar|publisher=[Mother Jones](/source/Mother_Jones_(magazine))|date=September 6, 2011|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-frumming-of-cato/| author=Bloom, Jordan|title = The Frumming of Cato|publisher=[The American Conservative](/source/The_American_Conservative)|date=April 30, 2012|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref> A top aide to [Charles Koch](/source/Charles_Koch) and [David H. Koch](/source/David_H._Koch),<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.politico.com/story/2012/07/romney-gop-high-rollers-to-meet-079228| author=Vogel, Kenneth|title = Romney, GOP high-rollers to meet in Aspen|publisher=[Politico](/source/Politico)|date=August 1, 2012|access-date=October 4, 2012}}</ref> Gentry served as vice president of special projects at [Koch, Inc.](/source/Koch%2C_Inc.)<ref name=LI/> before retiring to launch TenX Strategies.

==Education and personal life==
Gentry received a BA in economics<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUmGAfg-UVw |title=The journey to fundraising $3 billion and more with Kevin Gentry |date=2025-05-19 |last=RKD Group |access-date=2025-08-19 |via=YouTube}}</ref> from the [College of William & Mary](/source/College_of_William_%26_Mary), where he served as chairman of the school's branch of the [College Republicans](/source/College_Republicans). He is married to Anne Gentry, an attorney, who obtained a JD from the [George Mason University School of Law](/source/George_Mason_University_School_of_Law), where she was the president of the school's branch of the [Federalist Society](/source/Federalist_Society).<ref name=CNP/>

==Career==
From 1991 to 1997, Gentry served as executive vice president of the [Leadership Institute](/source/Leadership_Institute), a nonprofit organization based in [Arlington, Virginia](/source/Arlington%2C_Virginia).<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUmGAfg-UVw |title=The journey to fundraising $3 billion and more with Kevin Gentry |date=2025-05-19 |last=RKD Group |access-date=2025-08-19 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Gentry later served as the vice president of the [Mercatus Center](/source/Mercatus_Center) and the [Institute for Humane Studies](/source/Institute_for_Humane_Studies) during which time the two organizations' combined annual revenue increased threefold, according to ''Philanthropy Magazine''.<ref name=LI>{{cite web | url = http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/Training/Bio.cfm?SchoolID=14489&FacultyID=27342 | title = Faculty Bio: Kevin Gentry|publisher=[Leadership Institute](/source/Leadership_Institute)|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref><ref name=fundraising>{{cite web|url=http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/site/print/staffing_up34|title=Staffing Up: Koch Foundation|publisher=[Philanthropy Roundtable](/source/Philanthropy_Roundtable)|date=November–December 2003|accessdate=October 3, 2012|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924072635/http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/site/print/staffing_up34|url-status=dead}}</ref> He served as a fundraising consultant for Virginia Governor [Jim Gilmore](/source/Jim_Gilmore) and U.S. Senator [George Allen](/source/George_Allen_(U.S._politician)) during their tenure in those offices. Gentry was the campaign manager for [Morton Blackwell](/source/Morton_Blackwell) when Blackwell ran as the Republican National Committeeman of Virginia in 1988, 1992, and 1996.<ref name=CNP/>

===Fundraising===
In 2003, Gentry was hired at the [Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation](/source/Koch_Family_Foundations) to improve the capacity of the foundation's grantees by mentoring them in fundraising best practices.<ref name=fundraising/> He also served as vice president of special projects for [Koch, Inc.](/source/Koch%2C_Inc.)<ref name=roe>{{cite web|url=http://www.spn.org/publications/gentry-receives-2007-roe-award |title=Gentry Receives 2007 Roe Award |publisher=[State Policy Network](/source/State_Policy_Network) |accessdate=October 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231224448/http://www.spn.org/publications/gentry-receives-2007-roe-award |archivedate=December 31, 2013 }}</ref> According to ''[Politico](/source/Politico)'', Gentry is the primary fundraiser for the [Koch family's political activities](/source/Political_activities_of_the_Koch_brothers).<ref name=politico>{{cite web | url = https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77453_Page2.html|author1=Vogel, Kenneth  |author2=Parti, Tarini|title = Inside Koch world|publisher=[Politico](/source/Politico)|date=June 15, 2012|access-date=October 3, 2012}}</ref> Gentry's responsibilities include leading fundraising efforts at the Koch's [donor seminars](/source/Political_activities_of_the_Koch_brothers).<ref name=koch/> The Koch fundraising summits, emceed by Gentry, were expected to spend $400 million on conservative causes heading into the 2012 election.<ref name=settlement/> According to ''[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)'', Gentry "raises money for the network of Koch-backed organizations, some of which are prominent conservative think tanks".<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/think-tanked/post/is-heritage-raising-millions-for-access-to-clarence-thomas/2012/06/15/gJQAHdBMfV_blog.html| author=McDuffee, Allen|title = Is Heritage raising millions for access to Clarence Thomas?|newspaper=[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)|date=June 15, 2012|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref> Gentry led an informal network of fundraisers for think tanks and advocacy groups such as [Americans for Prosperity](/source/Americans_for_Prosperity).<ref name=politico/> 

In December 2010, Gentry joined the board of the [Cato Institute](/source/Cato_Institute).<ref name=wash>{{cite web | url = http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/print/2012/05/30/the-battle-for-cato.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120607082647/http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/print/2012/05/30/the-battle-for-cato.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 7, 2012 | author=Mullins, Luke|title = The Battle for the Cato Institute|publisher=[The Washingtonian](/source/The_Washingtonian_(magazine))|date=June 2012|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/03/the_kochs_brothers_are_trying_to_seize_control_of_the_libertarian_think_tank_cato_.single.html| author=Weigel, David|title = Cato Goes to War|publisher=[Slate](/source/Slate_(magazine))|date=March 5, 2012|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref> Gentry was placed on the board by [Charles Koch](/source/Charles_Koch) and [David Koch](/source/David_H._Koch).<ref name=settlement>{{cite web | url = https://www.politico.com/story/2012/06/cato-kochs-settle-ownership-fight-077809 | author=Vogel, Kenneth|title = Cato, Koch brothers settle ownership fight|publisher=[Politico](/source/Politico)|date=June 25, 2012|access-date=October 4, 2012}}</ref> Cato Institute chairman [Robert Levy](/source/Robert_A._Levy) and president [Edward Crane](/source/Ed_Crane_(political_activist)) expressed concern that Gentry was a conservative rather than a libertarian, with Crane referring to Gentry as a "Republican activist" and "social conservative."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/03/22/_who_the_hell_is_going_to_take_a_think_tank_seriously_if_it_s_controlled_by_billionaire_oil_guys_cato_s_president_speaks_.html| author=Weigel, David |title ="Who the Hell is Going to Take a Think Tank Seriously If It's Controlled by Billionaire Oil Guys?" Cato's President Speaks|publisher=[Slate](/source/Slate_(magazine))|date=March 22, 2012|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref> Crane also expressed disappointment that Gentry had not involved Crane or other Cato Institute employees with Koch-sponsored donor events.<ref name=wash/> In an opinion editorial posted on [CNN.com](/source/CNN.com), Gentry defended the Koch brothers against allegations that they wanted to compromise the political independence of the Cato Institute.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/05/opinion/gentry-cato-koch/index.html | author=Gentry, Kevin|title = Koch believes in an independent Cato|publisher=[CNN](/source/CNN)|date=April 5, 2012|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref> In June 2012, as part of a settlement over the ownership of the Cato Institute, Gentry was removed from the board due to a provision that bars Koch employees from serving on the institute's board.<ref name=settlement/>

For contributions to the free market movement, Gentry was presented with the [Roe Award](/source/Roe_Award) in 2007 by the [State Policy Network](/source/State_Policy_Network). The award is given to "recognize individuals who exhibit leadership, innovation and achievement in promoting free markets and less intrusive government at the state and local level.<ref name=roe/> Gentry is credited with helping raise over $3 billion for philanthropic causes during his fundraising career.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUmGAfg-UVw |title=The journey to fundraising $3 billion and more with Kevin Gentry |date=2025-05-19 |last=RKD Group |access-date=2025-08-19 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

===TenX Strategies and the ''Going Big!'' podcast===
In July 2024, Gentry retired from both [Stand Together](/source/Stand_Together) and Koch to launch TenX Strategies.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kevin-gentry-tenx_an-immigrants-escape-from-socialist-tyranny-activity-7254155551566180352-6xjR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABHoekkBREB9w-J-W_Q789otNW4_5zc-MSY | title=An Immigrant's Escape from Socialist Tyranny: Daniel di Martino's Voice… &#124; Kevin Gentry }}</ref> TenX Strategies states its mission is to help "great causes transform their effectiveness by 10xing their fundraising."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tenxstrategies.com/about-us/ | title=About Us }}</ref> As part of TenX Strategies, he also launched the [https://open.spotify.com/show/7jImBvSSJNeb9k1wFhNx4y/ ''Going Big!''] podcast, which features business leaders, nonprofit leaders, and philanthropists to share their stories of making a significant impact in their given fields.<ref name="markets.businessinsider.com">{{cite web | url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/going-big-podcast-reaches-2-on-itunes-today-s-episode-features-the-inspiring-story-of-daniel-di-martino-1033867673 | title=Going Big! Podcast Reaches #2 on iTunes, Today's Episode Features the Inspiring Story of Daniel di Martino }}</ref> The podcast has won MarCom Gold, Viddy Gold, and Communicator awards for excellence in storytelling<ref name="markets.businessinsider.com"/> and has featured guests including Newt Gingrich, [Doug DeVos](/source/Doug_DeVos), [Will Guidara](/source/Will_Guidara), [Phil Gramm](/source/Phil_Gramm), [Richard Viguerie](/source/Richard_Viguerie), [Morton Blackwell](/source/Morton_Blackwell), and [Lord Matthew Elliott](/source/Matthew_Elliott%2C_Baron_Elliott_of_Mickle_Fell).

==Affiliations==
Gentry serves on the board of directors of Bethany Christian Services of Virginia and the Virginia Future Business Leaders Foundation. He is a member of the [Council for National Policy](/source/Council_for_National_Policy), a networking group for social conservative activists.<ref name=CNP>{{cite web|url=http://www.seekgod.ca/cnp.g.htm#gentry|title=Selected Member Biographies|publisher=[Council for National Policy](/source/Council_for_National_Policy)|date=April 5, 2012|accessdate=October 3, 2012|archive-date=March 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309194817/http://www.seekgod.ca/cnp.g.htm#gentry|url-status=dead}}</ref> He serves as a board member of the Direct Marketing Association of Washington. Gentry also served on Virginia Governor [Bob McDonnell's](/source/Bob_McDonnell) government reform advisory committee.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2009/12/post_502.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130202093702/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2009/12/post_502.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 2, 2013 | author=Kumar, Anita|title = McDonnell's advisers|newspaper=[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)|date=December 11, 2009|accessdate=October 3, 2012}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Koch Industries |state=collapsed}}

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Category:American activists
Category:American lobbyists
Category:Antonin Scalia Law School alumni
Category:College of William & Mary alumni
Category:Living people
Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:Virginia Republicans
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kevin Gentry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Gentry) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Gentry?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.