Robert Sher is founding principal of CEO to CEO, a consulting firm that helps executives running mid-market companies raise their game. He was chief executive of Bentley Publishing Group from 1984 to 2006. Rob steered Bentley to become a leading player in its industry (decorative art publishing).
From 1984 to 2006, Robert was CEO and co-founder of Bentley, a privately held firm based in Walnut Creek, Calif. Early in the business, he and his partners identified a gap in the fast-growing market for framed artwork: high-quality yet affordable prints perfect for the decorative market. Sher and his partners bootstrapped the business, but key successes breathed new life and cash flow into the business. He led the acquisitions of four competitors between 1999 and 2004 and left Bentley two years later. By then, Bentley had contracts with more than 300 artists, whose works it reproduced, printed and sold to frame and print shops, craft stores, gift stores, galleries and major retailers such as Nordstrom, JC Penney, and Ethan Allen. The firm was merged with Global Arts in 2011 to form Bentley Global Art Group.
He is involved in three Northern California associations as Managing Director of the Alliance Of Chief Executives (a director since 2007), the Association for Corporate Growth (board director and president-elect 2014) and an Advisory Board member of the California Israeli Chamber of Commerce.
Robert has published extensively on the successful leadership traits of CEOs of mid-market companies. He is a regular columnist on Forbes.com and CFO.com, has written a book ("The Feel of the Deal”) and numerous articles for such publications as Forbes.com, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal and the East Bay Business Times. He also publishes his own newsletter, The CEO Insomnia Factor.
Robert received a B.S. degree in business administration from Hayward State University in 1986 (during which he ran a small business), and an MBA degree from St. Mary’s College in 1988, where he was the recipient of the Jack Saloma Award for student citizenship. From 1995 to 2000, he taught MBA and executive MBA courses at St. Mary’s on growing entrepreneurial businesses.
Robert and his wife Renee have two children, Ben and Jessie, and live in Northern California. They love sailing and travel.