Chris has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Utah Valley University, an MBA from Thunderbird University, a Master's in Research Methods from Cranfield University (England), and a PhD from the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship. In addition to starting 2 startups, Chris taught classes in entrepreneurship, marketing, economics, and small business management for 5 years in England and Australia. He currently teaches a class in entrepreneurship and is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Dixie State University.

Chris began working in the dental field in 2011, overseeing the growth of multiple dental practices. He developed operational systems, trainings, and marketing platforms that bring together team members in a professional and fun culture. Chris worked in dental offices for 5 years while refining systems, checklists, marketing plans, and coordinating with doctors, front office, hygienists, and assistants to grow every aspect of the practices. With an extensive background in entrepreneurship education, Chris knows how to grow brands, implement operational systems that bring predictability and scalability, and create fantastic cultures that empower team members.

Aaron Salmon, originally from Canada, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Brigham Young University. He received his DDS degree from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California.

Upon graduation, Aaron quickly grew a startup dental practice from $0 to over $1,000,000, eventually expanding to multiple doctors and hygienists. With the success of the startup experience, he has been able to help other doctors experience similar growth by sharing how he implemented Elevate Systems with clinical operations. He is extremely proficient in helping doctors communicate with patients to accept treatment. As Co-founder of Elevate Practices, Aaron has focused on helping doctors excel on the clinical and treatment presentation side of operations.

David Gertsch graduated from Southern Utah University, earning a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree with honors in accounting. He has nine years of CPA experience and became a manager at Deloitte and Touche, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms. His work experience has included auditing and accounting services for large for-profit resorts and casinos in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Louisiana, and California. He also has a broad range of accounting and related experience in performing internal control evaluations, Securities and Exchange audits and reviews, initial public offerings, budgeting, financial statements preparation, business planning and general management consulting. Mr. Gertsch has also served a wide range of clients ranging in size from the Fortune 500 Companies to the smallest local governments and small businesses.

David focuses primarily on working with dentists and optimizing their entities and tax structure, as well as standardizing their chart of accounts and ensuring dentists are familiar with all aspects of their practice. Mr. Gertsch is a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in Nevada and Utah. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants.

Josh holds a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree with honors in accounting, as well as a Master's in Business Administration. He has nine years of CPA experience, and became a manager at Hinton Burdick, the largest CPA firm in Southern Utah. His work experience has included business growth consulting, construction, retail, real estate, manufacturing (production), and professional service entities.

Mr. Hurst also specializes in tax planning and entity structure for tax avoidance, as well as business valuation and litigation services. Josh is a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in Utah. He also owns three other businesses outside of his accounting practice, which gives him a great insight and perspective as a business owner. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants.

Mason holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s Degree with honors in accounting. He has twelve years of CPA experience, and became a manager at Hinton Burdick, the largest CPA firm in Southern Utah.

Mason has extensive experience in personal income tax and small business tax. He has focused his career in internal accounting, periodic reporting, forecasting and ultimately the development and implementation of succession plans. He has also owned and operated a previous accounting firm which focused on business taxes and payroll services.

Within Elevate Mason has an active role in management processes and oversees quality control. Mason is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants.