Bentley Hensel
PRODUCT LEADER & TECH INNOVATOR
About
Strategic expert in product and technology, demonstrating technical acuity, technology integration, and data-driven decision-making. Skilled in developing advanced tools, guiding product strategies, scaling startups, and leading diverse teams. Excels at leveraging cutting-edge technology to boost operational efficiency, contributing to significant organizational growth and transformative change. Balances a unique blend of technical prowess with product vision.
Work Experience
CivicActions
November 2022 – Present
Senior Technical Product Manager
Steered innovative product development, advancing digital accessibility in the public sector. Orchestrated the integration of artificial intelligence and developed numerous impactful open-source tools. Advocated for agile methodologies, nurtured a culture of sustained innovation, and contributed significantly to enhancing tech-enabled government service delivery.
Highlights
- Leveraged innovative data schemas and built creative pipelines for GovA11y to transform billions of time-series accessibility scan data rows into accessible, meaningful, actionable insights
- While leading a VA.gov DevOps team, reduced the backlog by over 70% over the course of two sprints
- Initiated the transition of VA.gov to a Git-ops-based Kubernetes application management system, streamlining deployment, bolstering system resilience, and dramatically enhancing the developer experience
- Led GovA11y from conception to scale, eventually conducting over 7 billion A11y tests within 18 hours
- Spearheaded the development of RapidATO, laying the roadmap for continuously tested SSPs and achievable ATOs
- Brought to life multiple in-house AI initiatives to scope government AI challenges and use cases
Blitz Digital Group & Potomac Reach Media
June 2021 – March 2022
Director of Digital Operations
Utilized strategic leadership to overhaul operations and usher in innovative product development within a rapidly expanding digital marketing agency. Led the integration of cutting-edge technology into daily operations and product offerings, creating impactful solutions for internal and client-facing needs. Advocated for Agile methodologies, fostered a culture of continuous innovation, and contributed significantly to enhancing a data-driven, tech-oriented business approach.
Highlights
- Increased email deliverability by 12x while increasing email deployments from 4 million to 45+ million messages a month
- Ushered in a company-wide advanced analytics solution; streamlining numerous ETL pipelines, providing real-time insights to stakeholders, and skyrocketing operational efficiency by 150% within three months
- Developed an extensive data ecosystem, drawing from behavioral patterns of over 75 million unique users to drive substantial improvements in client data performance and decision-making processes
- Conceptualized and maintained a rigorous internal security product in close collaboration with federal agencies, ensuring top-tier protection for politically sensitive information and fortifying campaign security protocols
Gizmo Shipping
December 2019 – March 2021
President
Navigated a complex logistics landscape to drive significant growth in both scalability and revenue. Demonstrated mastery over supply chain management by successfully catering to diverse clients across North America, Asia, and Africa, delivering over a million orders. Orchestrated a transformative overhaul of the organization from a logistics model to an FDA-approved pharmaceutical manufacturing facility while maintaining steady cash flow, ensuring business continuity.
Highlights
- Helmed and managed extensive, multi-location product supply chains, successfully shipping millions of orders for multiple clients spanning both national and international markets.
- Led the full product lifecycle from inception to market launch for a diverse range of client-specific products. Highlight projects include a hospital-grade hand sanitizer, a high-traffic IoT-enabled dispenser, and a specialized disinfectant for classroom nylon carpets.
- Delivered significant growth for a bustling logistics & manufacturing startup, driving $2.7m in revenue while generating 30 full-time jobs within an accelerated 18-month timeframe.
1776 Consulting
United States
October 2017 – December 2019
CEO
Founded and led a specialized consulting firm delivering strategic marketing, logistics, and merchandise solutions to high-profile political and business clients. Deployed innovative hardware and digital tools to address complex operational challenges, significantly amplifying client satisfaction and profitability while promoting a substantial environmental impact.
Highlights
- Drove the company to generate over $1.8m in first-year revenue with a substantial 11.5% margin
- Manifested strong corporate social responsibility with the 'One Product | One Tree' initiative, resulting in over 75,000 trees planted.
- Facilitated the establishment of 42 full-time roles, nurturing an environment of high employee satisfaction and ensuring full employment upon the company's sale
- Orchestrated the design and launch of a customer-centric support solution, spiking client satisfaction by 70%
- Pioneered the development of an IoT solution, increasing order pick speed by 65% and slashing error rates by over 85%
- Oversaw cross-functional teams in areas as wide-ranging as digital marketing, warehouse operations, merchandise design & production, and industrial automation
- Privileged with an exclusive tour of the expansive FedEx World Hub, gaining firsthand experience of their substantial logistics operation
In Pursuit Of
Arlington, VA
August 2017 – February 2018
Digital Strategist
Responsible for developing and maintaining an on-message and cohesive digital strategy for Concerned Veterans for America. This includes developing short and long-term digital plans, associated execution of said plans, as well as consistently looking for opportunities to grow the CVA brand.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
Oversaw all digital outreach – to a diverse set of audiences - including authoring and managing all advertising on behalf of veterans affairs organizations. (501c3 &501c4)
Campaign Solutions
Alexandria, VA
October 2015 – August 2017
Account Manager and Social Media Director
I directed a team in the execution of a digital marketing strategy to facilitate business development, and perform data analysis of both organic and paid social media campaigns as well as fundraising emails.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
Played pivotal role in digital campaigns that earned Campaign Solutions numerous awards, including The Reed Award and multiple Pollies, including – Best Use of New Technology. Best Fundraising Campaign, Best Use of Search Engine Marketing, & Best Use of a Landing Page for Digital Fundraising.
Spearheaded robust fundraising campaign for a client at Campaign Solutions, raising over $46 million dollars.
Work has been featured on high-profile outlets such as the Colbert Report, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, and Buzzfeed
• Created and implemented publicity strategies for several high-profile political organizations and politicians.
• Took over $2 M in digital advertising from concept to completion.
Oversaw development & execution of client social media strategy, supporting its overall marketing objectives
Produced robust digital experiences for client audiences in an array of existing/emerging platforms/channels
Created & published targeted user content to client social media outlets, as well as client-specific mobile apps
Organized and led highly targeted social media campaigns, including both organic and paid search marketing
Ensured cohesive client brand identity & compelling digital footprint across distribution channel ecosystem
Partnered internally & externally in shaping content creation & distribution, & critical customer engagement
Managed large and diversely skilled team, guiding their workflow & performance in facilitating client projects
Supported the securing and growth of organic and new business opportunities within the social media space
Evolved processes and models to provide success metrics and engagement plans that measure content impact
District Attorney Campaign
Louisiana
May 2014 – December 2014
Campaign Manager
I oversaw the entire campaign including media relations, polling, and creating marketing strategies for Pandora, Google YouTube, Facebook, TV, and radio.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Raised over $500K for a local election
• Brought a candidate from polling at 14% (against two other candidates) to winning the primary and runoff by implementing strategic micro-targeting techniques and building a voter database.
US Navy
Great Lakes, IL & Groton, CT
December 2013 – May 2014
Sailor
Completed Basic Training and BESS. Medical Discharge in May 2014.
Pearson Medical Technologies
Louisiana
November 2012 – December 2013
Digital Director
I integrated digital management tools into a startup medical technology company that utilizes groundbreaking technology to reduce drug misadministration by packaging medications into dosage containers for healthcare facilities. I also provided support and guidance for strategic long- and short-term development.
Romney for President
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
January 2012 – December 2012
Digital Content Manager & Intern Coordinator
I managed multiple projects concurrently in a high-stress, fast-paced environment, including curating content for official campaign website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Tumblr and coordinating campaign contests to increase online engagement and visibility.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
• One of the youngest staff members in the organization.
• Began as an Intern and was promoted within 5 months to permanent staffer.
• Served as Intern Coordinator for the digital department, managing 42 interns.
County Sheriff Campaign
October 2011 – December 2011
Deputy Campaign Manager
Rebuilt campaign organization, conducted and leaked opposition research, interacted with local media outlets, built entire ground game, and managed polling.
Statewide Gubernatorial Campaign
Alexandria, Louisiana
May 2011 – October 2011
Field Staff
Contacted voters to inform them about the upcoming election
Awards
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February 2016
Campaigns & Elections
Reed Award - Best Fundraising Email Creative/Copy for Independent Expenditure Campaign
Recognized for my contribution to creating the best email fundraising creative for the an Independent Expenditure Political Group. (Campaign Solutions)
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February 2017
Campaigns & Elections
Reed Award - Best Use Of New Technology
Received award for innovative usage of one-click donations. (Campaign Solutions)
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February 2017
Campaigns & Elections
Reed Award - Best New Email Tool
Awarded for bringing dynamic images to the forefront of email campaigning.
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February 2017
Campaigns & Elections
Reed Award - Best Use of Online Targeting for Independent Expenditure Campaign
Honored for significant contributions to the John Bolton Fall Independent Expenditure. (Campaign Solutions)
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January 2016
American Association of Political Consultants
Pollie Award - Best New and Unusual Tactic
Secured silver for the innovation of the Dynamic Membership Card. (Campaign Solutions)
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January 2017
American Association of Political Consultants
Pollie Award - Best Fundraising Campaign
Earned bronze for contribution to the exceptional fundraising campaign for the an Independent Expenditure Political Group. (Campaign Solutions)
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January 2018
American Association of Political Consultants
Pollie Award - Best Use of a Landing Page for Digital Fundraising
Received gold for the creation of the unique 'Rate your Rep.' landing page for the an Independent Expenditure Political Group. (Campaign Solutions)
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March 2010
Boy Scouts of America
Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement rank in the Boy Scouts of America, representing the culmination of years of dedicated leadership, service, and skill development. It's recognized nationwide as a mark of honor, discipline, and community engagement.
Volunteer
Assistant Scout Master
I assisted the scoutmaster in running Troop 626.I teach scouts what it takes to become an Eagle Scout.
Projects
- Miss Direction: A mapping engine that misguides you
- Business Pivot: Shortly after opening a new logistics warehouse in February of 2020, most of our customers had to shut down due to covid. I spearheaded transitioning my company from a logistics consulting/management agency to a pharmaceutical manufacturing company (hand sanitizers). I was able to utilize much of our existing resources to quickly and efficiently transition to a more in-demand business line.
- Streamline Product KPI Reporting: User churn was steadily increasing, and the account team was unsure how to solve the issue. My department designed, deployed, and maintained a robust Domo analytics instance to visualize user action and initiative results in near-real-time. In the three months following deployment, business efficiency increased by 150%.
- Subscription Management Tool,: After thoroughly analyzing user activity and conducting user interviews, I played a central role in designing, developing, and deploying an email subscription opt-out/down consumer-facing product. The product met strict data security and election firewall policies while maintaining an enjoyable user experience. User churn rate dropped by 80% upon implementation and postmaster spam complaints decreased by over 70%.
Contact
600 S. Walter Reed Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22204 US
Skills
Strategic Planning
Engineering
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Large Language Models (LLM)
Agile Methodologies
Event Planning
Strategic Communications
Stakeholder Management
Technical Product Management
Cloud Computing
Speech Writing
Logistics Management
Nonprofits
Analytics
Supply Chain Management
Fundraising
Grassroots
Leadership
Government
Process Improvement
Federal Government
Project Management
Agile Project Management
Data Analysis
Digital Marketing
Public Affairs
Online Advertising
Team Management
Operations Management
Legislative Relations
Product Management
Web Accessibility Testing
Public Policy
Web Accessibility
Kubernetes
Policy Analysis
Politics
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Product Development
Political Science
OSCAL
Political Campaigns
Social Media
Cybersecurity
DevOps
Back-End Web Development
Business Management
Marketing Communications
Logistics
A11y
Publications
INCORPORATING CAMPAIGN MERCHANDISE INTO YOUR 2019 FUNDRAISING PLAN
Campaigns & Elections
01 March 2019
For many groups and campaigns, fundraising is slow this early in the year. It's not necessarily a reason for concern, it's a fact of life in the early days of a new election cycle. But for those struggling to raise money, consider another way to generate donations and keep your supporters actively giving: ecommerce merchandising.
THE TOP 5 REASONS TO SELL CAMPAIGN MERCHANDISE
Campaigns & Elections
09 April 2018
With the increase in burn rate, so comes the increase in donation asks. In 2018, as the number of competitive campaigns has continued to grow, it’s made the competition for donations more intense. Campaign merchandise remains a great way to differentiate a candidate by adding to his or her brand while generating revenue.
Interests
Water
Sailing
SCUBA Diving
Marine Conservation
Nature & Outdoors
Backpacking
Camping
National Parks
Technology
Self Hosting
Open Source
References
Bentley has an abilityto pinpointthe issues, find the evidence supporting these issues and carry through with the implementation of his ideas. Bentley is very trustworthy with good instincts. He is very passionate about his political views, and his views are grounded by his logic. his common sense and integrity.
I was his supervisor at IPO and he was a pleasure to work with, in all respects: bright, engaged, inquisitive, thoughtful, and highly analytical. I especially enjoyed how he pushed the rest of the team to become more intentional and targeted with their campaign deployment.
Add Here
...Bentley has a positive, interactive personality and was a pleasure to have around the office, which was a very fast paced environment.