08/08/2025
Last week, I lost a valued colleague and friend. Ken Hines was more than just someone I worked alongside, he was a mentor who shared with me a wealth of knowledge earned from decades in investment banking. Though he was in San Diego and I in Idaho, we would converse daily and he always said he was going to come out and ski Snow King with me. Over the course of his career, he managed several offices for some of the industry’s largest firms and brought unmatched experience, professionalism, and perspective to every deal.
I had the privilege of working with Ken on several deals, including a complex energy company where we spent months collaborating closely. He didn’t just share technical expertise, he offered the kind of wisdom that only comes from decades of navigating high-stakes negotiations, structuring intricate deals, and managing client relationships with both precision and integrity. Those insights gave me confidence as I transitioned into investment banking from my broader business career, and they are lessons I’ll carry with me for years.
It’s sad seeing the old brass go in our country. A few years ago, a mentor and professor of mine passed away, and I’ve often wished I could reach out one more time to brainstorm or just shoot the bull like we used to. He was the reason I went into the profession I did. Losing men like him and Ken reminds me of the importance of honoring the value they brought, the wisdom they shared, and the example they set.
Ken will be deeply missed, but his influence will live on in the people he taught, the deals he shaped, and the standards he upheld.
