2023 Ernest C. Arbuckle Award dinner honoring Kenneth A. Hersh, MBA ’89

The Arbuckle Dinner and Award

• The Arbuckle dinner is a Stanford GSB tradition that celebrates the legacy of Ernie Arbuckle, the school's third dean.
• The Arbuckle award recognizes alumni and friends of the school who demonstrate a commitment to managerial excellence and addressing society's changing needs.
• This year's recipient is Ken Hirsch, a Stanford GSB alumnus and co-founder of Natural Gas Partners.

Ken Hirsch's Career

• Ken Hirsch is a Stanford GSB alumnus and successful private equity investor.
• He co-founded Natural Gas Partners (NGP) while pursuing his MBA at Stanford GSB and achieved a remarkable 30% compounded rate of return over 27 years.
• NGP became known for its leadership principles, creative financial structures, and a culture of transparency and teamwork.
• Hirsch successfully transitioned NGP to new leaders and became the President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
• At the Bush Center, he raised a $302.5 million endowment and created a sustainable future for the institution.

Ken Hirsch's Leadership Philosophy

• Hirsch believes in always moving forward, without neutral or reverse gears.
• He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the role of Stanford in connecting him with influential mentors.
• Hirsch highlights the positive impact of the unconventional Shale Revolution, which NGP played a part in financing, on the economy, foreign policy, and carbon emissions.

Ken Hirsch's Advice and Reflections

• Hirsch advises others to form quality relationships, embrace change, and think big.
• He regrets not paying it forward enough and emphasizes the importance of community.
• Hirsch describes his pivot to the nonprofit sector as humbling and gratifying.
• He emphasizes the importance of civility and choosing community over chaos.