Reins, a pioneering technology firm dedicated to empowering privately owned businesses through alternative equity solutions, announces today that CEO and co-founder Chris Buttenham has been named to ACHR NEWS’ 11th annual Top 40 Under 40 list.

The list recognizes young professionals who are helping to move the HVACR industry forward through leadership, innovation and results. At 33, Buttenham was selected for his work in developing tools that help contractors build stronger teams and create workplace cultures that inspire loyalty. He and his team created an alternative equity framework that allows small and independent contractors to give employees a meaningful stake in the business.

“I am truly honored to be included among so many talented people who are making a difference in this industry,” Buttenham said. “Retention has always been a challenge in the skill trades, and too many contractors lose good people to competitors or other industries. At Reins, we have made it simple for owners to reward their best employees in a way that is fair, transparent and sustainable, and it’s humbling to see that work recognized.”

 An entrepreneur since he was 15, Buttenham added author to his resume this year with the release of "Alternative Equity: The Owner's Guide to Phantom Stock & Modern Incentives," which offers contractors a step-by-step guide to designing plans that work for private businesses and how they can be used to give employees ownership-like benefits without transferring actual equity. The book also covers the advantages phantom stock has over other equity options and how to determine whether a business is ready to adopt alternative equity.

This fall, Buttenham is lined up to speak at several conferences, including Service World Expo and The Experience Conference & Exhibition, a premier event for cleaning and restoration professionals. He will share practical strategies on how contractors can use innovative incentive models to improve retention and build stronger teams.

“When business owners understand how to align long-term incentives with company goals, they can completely transform their culture,” Buttenham said. “That is the driving force behind everything we do at Reins.”

For more information about Reins, visit https://myreins.com/.

About Reins
Reins is an innovative platform that empowers privately-owned businesses to retain key employees effectively by offering owner-like benefits that incentivize employees to contribute to the business's long-term success. Founded in 2023, Reins’ mission is to help independent businesses remain productive and grow. Reins’ proprietary solution, the Modern Agreement for Rewards and Equity (MARE) program, was built by attorneys and is customizable to meet each business owner’s needs. Every plan is legally binding and stored safely in the Reins software for compliance. Using the MARE program, business owners can create and execute a tailored program within minutes. For more information about Reins and the MARE program, please visit https://myreins.com/.