Ken Retires from HintonBurdick

Ken got home from helping the Princes' move across country just in time to retire!  He is the first partner to retire- after 35 years of working at the same CPA firm.  He has seen big changes.  When he joined the firm, there were 6  1/2 people working there- total.  There are now 6 1/2 offices: St. George, Cedar City, Hurricane, Richfield, Mesquite Nevada, Flagstaff AZ, and a part-time office in Phoenix AZ.  There are approximately 100 employees and 12 partners in the firm.  It's the largest CPA firm in Utah south of Provo, Utah and, according to Utah Business Magazine, it is the fifth largest in the whole state.  Like I say- big changes.  

The other partners honored him at a dinner and presented him with a certificate for a set of golf clubs that were custom fit to him.  I'm smelling duck . . . .

These are the three tables of partners at the retirement dinner.  Neither of us likes to interrupt conversation to insist people look at a camera, so they're not great, but at least we know who they all are.

On his last day, they held an open house for Ken in the lobby of the office.  Many of his clients and friends came to wish him well.  It was kind of like a funeral where the guy is still alive.

One client brought him this beautiful picture as a thank you.  The firm gave me the flowers.  

Here are some snapshots from the open house.  I brought my camera, but discovered it was broken when I went to take pictures(I am really hard on cameras, I guess).  So these are all taken with Ken's iphone.

A couple of the ladies at the office worked tirelessly and made and presented Ken with a very nice book.  I provided many pictures and awards and clippings, etc. for it.  It makes a beautiful history and weaves his professional, family, and recreational life together.  They also gave him a digital recording of the book set to some of his favorite songs.

Ken's dear friend Joe Vincent and his wife, Carol.  Ken audited St. George city for many years and worked with Joe there as he was St. George City's controller.

It was so fun that Michelle and her children could come.  It's SO nice to have them closer.  

This is Janene who has worked for Ken for several years.  She routes the mail for them.  She loves Ken and was so sad to see him go.  At the party she would come over and talk to him, then go over to the side and cry.  She would do it over and over again.  

This is Ken's dear friend, Brent Hall and his family. 

This is the biography for media in connection with his retirement:

Kenneth Allen Hinton was born on March 16, 1954 in St. George, Utah.  He grew up in Hurricane, Utah where his father was the Postmaster and managed the local grocery store in town- Graff Mercantile.  He was the sixth of eight children- seven of them boys. 

 As a child and teenager, he helped weed his family’s large garden plot and orchard and harvest and then preserve the crops.  When he was older, he also worked at the Mercantile, arising early each morning to stock shelves before school.  He learned two important things from these experiences: to get up early and to work hard.  He still gets up early every morning and works hard each day.

Ken was a diligent and successful student in both high school and college.  He graduated as Hurricane High school’s co-salutatorian.  He also excelled in sports.  As a child he loved playing baseball in Little League.  He played on Hurricane High school’s basketball team and went to the state basketball tournament two years as the starting point guard for his team.  He was very active in scouting and earned many awards, including the Eagle Scout Award.

As a senior in high school, he served as the president of the Seminary in Hurricane, and later served as Dixie College’s LDSSA president.

After high school, he attended Dixie College for one year, then served a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Fukuoka, Japan mission.  He loved his mission and learned to truly love the Japanese people.  His dream of returning to Japan was fulfilled when he and Kay went there to accompany their daughter, Kristen, home from her mission.  She served in the same mission her father did 25 years earlier.  That was truly a highlight in Ken’s life. 

After his mission, he returned to Dixie College and received his Associates Degree there.  He then continued his education at BYU and graduated with his Bachelor of Science and Master of  Accountancy degree in April of 1979. 

It was at BYU that he met and married his wife- Kay Louise Gabrielsen.  They married in August, 1977.  They have three children:  Kristen Louise Hinton Mackrory (married to Jared), Shonna Kay Hinton Cameron(married to Blake), and Michelle Debora Hinton Prince(married to Brian).  At present, they have 9 ½ grandchildren, who they love very much.

 Part of Ken’s education included an internship with Touche-Ross in Los Angeles.  He and his new bride moved there for four months.  It didn’t take long to recognize that this was not the lifestyle they wanted, so on their way back to BYU, they checked into accounting firms in St. George, Utah.  Upon completing his education, he was hired by Carter and Kemp accounting firm.  When he joined the firm, there were six and 1/2 people (including a part-time intern) working there.  There are now six and 1/2 offices in three states.  He has seen much change and growth in the firm that is now HintonBurdick. 

Ken has served the community in many capacities including being a member of:

Washington Lion’s Club

 Dixie Sunshiner’s Club

St. George Chamber of Commerce where he served on the board

Dixie Regional Medical Center Foundation Board where he served as vice president and president

Governing Board of Dixie Regional Medical Center

Board of Directors of various non-profit/civic organizations

He also enjoys leading bird watching groups at the local Winter Bird Festival and Audubon Christmas bird counts each year.

                During his career, he has also served his church faithfully as a Bishop, high councilor, and in a stake presidency for many years.

So now we enter a new phase in our life.  As you'll see in upcoming posts, we really haven't experienced at home in the same house retirement yet.  We traveled pretty much the entire month of July.  We started August by traveling to Logan, to attend Hannah's baby blessing.  Then we've had family here with us all of this month and just got home from a glorious reunion with all of our family.  So, I guess now we'll see what retirement is really like.  Ken is working two days  a week as a temple ordinance worker in the St. George temple- something he's wanted to do all of his life.  He's loving it.  He's already been informed that there will be no banging (of doors) or clomping during nap time.  We're still negotiating the use of alarm clocks.  I say no and why would you want to?  He says he doesn't want to miss the best time of the day.  I'll have to let you know who wins that one. But, for the most part, I think we'll enjoy having more time together and a little more freedom.  We feel so blessed with Ken's wonderful career and all of the opportunities he's had.  He will really miss close association with all of the HintonBurdick people.  There are many dear ones.   We look forward to many wonderful adventures ahead!!!