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

27 Mar 2024 (9 months ago)

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 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.

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.

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.