About Brent Hutchings

Business Leadership and Growth

Brent Hutchings has owned North River Boats since 2012, becoming CEO and steering the company through significant milestones, including celebrating 50 years of excellence as a premier builder of jet boats for wild rivers.[3] In 2014, he purchased the distressed boat-manufacturing business with capital from Beneficial State Bank, revitalizing it and enabling community wealth-building in rural Oregon.[5] Under his leadership, the company acquired Willie Boats in 2023, combining North River's heavy-gauge expertise with Willie Boats' best-in-class aluminum drift boats.[4]

Employee Ownership and Community Commitment

Recognizing committed workers as central to success, Hutchings introduced employee ownership via an ESOP conversion, a bold decision impacting employees positively and building community wealth.[2][6] This aligns with his role in Project Equity's Founders' Circle, supporting business transitions to worker ownership models.[7]

Accessibility and Inclusive Practices

Hutchings has engaged with accessibility initiatives, commenting on Microsoft's decade of building for everyone and sharing insights on building blocks of an accessible procurement program.[1][10]

Data Analytics, AI, and Risk Management

As an internal audit and data analytics leader, Hutchings explores AI and generative AI applications in audit analytics and data analytics.[9] He also addresses enterprise risk management and the implications of political shifts on DEI under Trump's second term.[8]