BOA R D profile
KEN HERSH
22
Kenneth Hersh is a co-founder and the chief
executive officer of NGP Energy Capital
Management, a premier investment franchise in
the natural resources industry where he is responsible for directing the strategic and investment
activities of the firm.
He is a frequent lecturer at industry functions
covering topics relating to the energy, corporate
finance and private equity sectors and has been a
frequent contributor on CNBC and Fox. In addition, Ken is a member of the Council on Foreign
Relations and of the World Economic Forum where
he has been a featured speaker at its annual meeting held in Davos, Switzerland.
In addition to his myriad professional engagements, Ken has also been very involved in the nonprofit arena. In 2010, he founded the Global
Adaptation Institute, which today has become the
Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index (ND-GAIN)
where he serves as a member of its advisory board.
The Institute is focused on helping the world adapt
to population growth, economic development,
urbanization and climate change.
A Dallas native, Ken also lends his wide-ranging knowledge of the community’s needs and
decades of experience to numerous local organizations, including Baylor Health Care System
Foundation. In addition to the unique perspective
that he has brought to the Foundation board since
he joined in 2010, he also recently made a $75,000
gift in support of the dermatology residency program at Baylor University Medical Center at
Dallas and the work of Alan Menter, M.D., chief
of dermatology and director of the dermatology
residency program at Baylor Dallas.
“I was looking to make a significant gift to the
Foundation, and Dr. Menter has taken great care of
me and family over the years,” said Ken. “The work
he is doing is some of the most impactful in the dermatology field in the region, if not the country. I was
happy to support the work of this program.”
What brought you to the Foundation?
Leonard Riggs, M.D. He introduced me to the
Foundation and asked me if I would consider
becoming a Foundation board member, and I
never say no to Leonard.
What do you think differentiates Baylor?
The professionals I have encountered across all
areas of Baylor are just that, professional. Baylor
has great expertise and has always been very available and patient-oriented in the delivery of care.
Over the years, I’ve referred numerous people to
specialists in a variety of fields, and they have great
outcomes, response times and experiences. It’s easy
to recommend Baylor.
To what do you attribute your success?
Focus would be the most important thing. In
the energy industry there have been wild swings
in the market since the 1980s, both positive and
negative, and we never quit. It’s a highly volatile
industry, and you either have to learn how to take
advantage of that volatility, risk becoming victim
of the volatility or leave the industry. I’ve always
operated under the adage, if life gives you lemons,
make lemonade. We stuck with it and found ways
to build businesses and back great people.
What is the highlight of your career?
Being able to work with Richard Rainwater for
11 years. Not only was he a charismatic investor,
but he was also my mentor and I learned a ton by
watching him work and interact.
What are your hobbies or interests?
If I can get out of town, I love to fly fish. My wife,
Julie, and I have a retreat in New Mexico and that’s
my favorite place to
visit, relax and fish. In
general though, I could
stand in a cold mountain stream anywhere
in the western United
States and fly fish and
be perfectly happy
catching nothing.
KIP TINDELL
19