PPAI • JUNE 2026 • 61 Distributors | Must Read discipline and consistency. He had a stayat-home mother whom Hilt describes as extremely well-read and intellectually curious. “There was a lot of intersection, just like learning new things, trying new things, being willing to take some level of risk,” Hilt says. Most of Hilt’s childhood was spent in Minnesota. He remembers going into the office with his father on Saturday mornings, in a high-rise building overlooking the Metrodome – where the Vikings and Twins played then – and imagining himself jumping to bounce atop its marshmallowy roof. Work ethic conversations on those Saturdays would help shape who he became. Hilt studied political science in college, but his father talked him out of moving straight to Washington upon graduation. “He said to me, ‘Could you please just do one’ – what he called – ‘one real job interview,’” Hilt recalls. That one real interview landed him in IBM’s still-young internet services division. He moved to California and worked within the team that helped set up the e-commerce infrastructure for L.L.Bean, one of the first major brands to bet that customers would provide their credit card information online. The early experience in e-commerce brought bigger opportunities working for companies like SAP, Sears and Barnes & Noble. He was living in New York when he met his husband, Derek, more than 20 years ago. They’ve made it through moves to Chicago, back to New York, toward Luxembourg, to Colombus, Ohio, and eventually toward Silicon Valley, where they’re raising their son. When TPG began to court him for the CEO role last spring, Hilt was in the midst of saying goodbye to his father. He shares that some of their last conversations proved to him that he truly wanted the role. “He was in hospice at the end of June, and we were talking about it. I was going to be flying to Chicago to meet with TPG to share with them my vision of what I thought the company could look like,” Hilt says. “And finally, as I was talking about what I was going to share at this meeting, I found myself getting really passionate about it. “So, I kind of take that away. My dad was there with me in this last decision, as he’s always been.” Hilt spent just two and a half years in his prior CEO role. The personal meaning behind the decision to join HALO could be a reason to think he isn’t approaching the new job as a quick flip to satisfy investors. “I have never gone into a job thinking that it would be a moderate or short opportunity,” Hilt says. “I believe in brands. I believe in building great teams, and I believe in building platforms that connect. This is a company that has a massive opportunity to scale for a very long time, and $1 billion is just the beginning of what we’re trying to get done. “This is kind of my sweet spot, personally, where I thrive, and also where I think that can add the most value as an individual leader. And just work.” Our waiter pulls Hilt’s half-eaten salad away. He’s scheduled to speak to the sales leadership group in an hour. Today brings just one step among many more on the way to the goal. HALO’s new growth stage will be focused less on acquisition and more on taking market share. Not every leader or company is built for what comes next. Ellis is senior director of media, research and public affairs at PPAI. Kimberly Sandifer “We try to instill in people to think positively. Give it an opportunity and step outside your comfort zone a bit.” – KIMBERLY SANDIFER
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