Executive Management

Gary Young is the Founder and President of Young Living Essential Oils. He has spent the past twenty-five years traveling throughout Europe, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, China, and South America researching natural ways to combat disease and preserve health. He has become one of the foremost authorities on the medicinal use of essential oils in North America.

Gary is the author of several studies and books including Aromatherapy: The Essential Beginning, Longevity Secrets, The Truth Behind Growth Hormone, and Discovery of the Ultimate Superfood. His book Essential Oils: Integrative Medical Guide extensively covers the process of building immunity, increasing longevity, and enhancing mental performance with therapeutic-grade essential oils such as lavender.

Gary's greatest desire is to help others obtain health and happiness, so he is often found working in his herb fields or in the laboratory formulating a new product. He has a true passion for the gifts of nature and finds great joy in educating others about how to use such gifts to improve their health and well-being. Gary is a cowboy at heart and finds no greater peace than to load his packhorses and ride into the mountains of northern Idaho where he grew up. He is most passionate about his sweetheart, Mary, and their two young sons, Jacob and Josef.

Mary Young contributes considerably as Executive Vice President of Young Living Essential Oils. She has a sharp mind, broad business skills, and expert experience in the direct-selling industry. In 1985, she was first introduced to the concept of multi-level marketing and, within two years, built an organization with sales of $1,000,000 a month. Mary has traveled globally in an effort to teach others how to build their own successful businesses. She was introduced to Young Living and essential oils in 1992. Her strong organizational skills and keen sense of color and design are an asset to the company.

Mary is the wife of Gary Young and the mother of their children, Jacob and Josef. Above all other experiences in her life, she loves being a mother. Mary has created a successful career as an international opera singer and continues to have a passion for singing. When she has time to be at home, she loves to sew, garden, and bottle fruits and vegetables. She loves to learn and discover new things, so she thoroughly enjoys traveling with Gary. Mary and Gary Young work extremely well together and enjoy the opportunity of building a business while helping people throughout the world.

Steve Bentley brings a diverse professional background to Young Living Essential Oils' executive management. As an attorney and certified public accountant, he provided business and tax consulting services for local and multinational clients of a Big 4 international accounting firm prior to joining Young Living. Steve is the cofounder of several successful companies and was vice president and senior director at two large international technology companies. He has a broad range of experience in taxation, financial and operational management, human resources, technology, and legal analysis and review. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Professional Accounting degree, and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Utah.

Steve looks much younger than he really is and attributes it to Young Living's A·R·T® Skin Care System, his fierce passion for Mexican food, and stimulating community service with United Way. He and his wife, Kris, have been happily married for nearly thirty years and are the parents of six children and proudly claim their first grandchild—finally, all those parenting years are worth it! An enthusiastic athlete, Steve enjoys running, although his first marathon continues to elude him.

Doug is a proven leader in the natural products industry with broad experience leading successful marketing, sales, and educational teams and initiatives. Since joining the industry more than a decade ago, Doug has become a passionate advocate of natural products and direct selling done right. According to Doug, the basis of strong sales and marketing is rooted in education and training. Doug believes that “At the heart of our business is an addictive, wonderful energy that's created every time you teach and someone's lights go on. At that point success, sales, and results are inevitable.” A lifetime user of herbs and supplements, Doug has become passionate about essential oils since joining Young Living. He says “The results with pure and potent Young Living Essential Oils are so remarkable and immediate that they quickly become the natural consumer's first choice for nearly every healthcare need.”

An experienced and dedicated professional, Ron Harris brings a broad spectrum of management skills and knowledge to Young Living, along with a commitment to help achieve excellence in all aspects that comprise the operational performance of the company. Prior to joining Young Living, Ron worked in several retail companies, including a Fortune 500 firm and a recent start-up venture. He has been involved with three new distribution center openings and four major warehouse expansion efforts. He has worked as an adjunct professor at several institutions, including Penn State, and holds a Master's degree in Organizational Behavior and a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Brigham Young University, where he graduated cum laude.

Married for more than thirty years, Ron and his wife, LuAnn, have four children. Ron enjoys the outdoors, tries to stay active, and is grateful for the opportunity to work for a company dedicated to helping people achieve better health. Of Young Living, Ron says, “My goal is to assemble and be part of a team that makes the operations division 'world class.' I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a company dedicated to helping people achieve better health.”

Matt Warner came to Young Living with more than seventeen years of experience in the network marketing industry, and has invaluable experience in strategy, strategic initiatives, process management, and international. Additionally, he has practical experience in operations, call center management, inventory management, and project management. Matt is a current member of the BYU Management Society of Utah Valley. He has earned his BA from Brigham Young University and recently completed his MBA.

Matt and his wife, Lynn, have five children, love the outdoors, and Matt has even earned his pilot's license. Matt says he loves working with others and enjoys looking for ways to encourage people to improve their lives. His family also loves sports. You can find them playing and/or coaching various sports through the year.

Wade Winegar came to Young Living Essential Oils with extensive international and domestic multilevel marketing experience. Prior to his current employment, he worked as general counsel for another large international corporation, responsible for the legal affairs in over twenty-five countries. Wade has also previously been employed as a prosecutor for the Utah Attorney General's Office, a partner in a private law firm, and a JAG officer for the United States Air Force in the US and overseas, gaining experience in litigation, contract law, and international business. His experience helps Young Living Essential Oils focus on the many opportunities in growing markets around the world. Wade earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and International Finance from Brigham Young University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Utah.

He enjoys spending time with his family, all things Italian, motorbikes, and outdoor activities. While he can't keep up with the other executives in the number of children each has, he can keep them alert during meetings and keeps things alive as the resident practical joker.