Originally from Kokomo, Indiana, Mr. Bentzler is a 1996 graduate of Pembroke State University (currently UNC Pembroke) where he played baseball for the Braves, and earned his Bachelor's degree in Special Education. In 2007, Mr. Bentzler earned his Master's degree in special education from East Carolina University. Mr. Bentzler has lived and worked in the Wilmington area his entire career, which also includes 20 years as a baseball coach at South Brunswick HS, Hoggard HS, Heide Trask HS, and Laney HS, where he was a part of the 2010 NC State Championship team.

Mr. Bentzler has been at Laney since 2007. Throughout his career, Mr. Bentzler spent 20 years as a special education teacher, four as Dean of Students, and is currently the Special Populations Coordinator in the Career and Technical Education Department (CTE).