Jake Luker and Alex Johnson Promoted to Vice Presidents at HKW
People | Jan 29, 2025 | Hammond Kennedy Whitney & Co I

HKW, a middle-market private equity firm based in Indianapolis, has announced the promotion of Jake Luker and Alex Johnson to Vice President positions, effective January 1, 2025. Both having joined HKW in 2021, Luker and Johnson have contributed significantly across transactions, operations, and investor relations teams. Their new responsibilities will include evaluating new investment opportunities, overseeing due diligence, fostering growth for portfolio companies, and executing platform and add-on transactions. The promotions signify HKW's commitment to recognizing and advancing talent within the firm to enhance its M&A strategies. Luker and Johnson come with previous experience from Cain Brothers & Co., LLC, and Harris Williams, respectively, and currently hold board positions at various HKW portfolio companies.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Geography
- United States – HKW is based in Indianapolis, and key figures previously worked in New York and Minneapolis, indicating the geographical relevance of the U.S. in this context.
Industry
- Private Equity – The article involves HKW, a private equity firm, indicating the focus on investment and portfolio management within this sector.
- Mergers and Acquisitions – The promotions pertain to enhancing HKW's transaction capabilities and M&A strategies, specifically within the departments of due diligence and new investment evaluation.
Financials
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Hammond Kennedy Whitney & Co. (HKW) | PE Firm | Company | A middle-market private equity firm based in Indianapolis, engaged in investments and M&A. |
Jake Luker | Vice President | Person | Promoted to Vice President at HKW, focusing on M&A strategies, previously worked in Healthcare M&A at Cain Brothers & Co. |
Alex Johnson | Vice President | Person | Promoted to Vice President at HKW, focusing on M&A strategies, previously worked in Consumer M&A at Harris Williams. |
Ted Kramer | CEO | Person | CEO of HKW, instrumental in the internal promotion of Jake Luker and Alex Johnson. |