News Releases

Heritage Capital Group is pleased to announce that Joe Hawkins has joined the firm as a principal. Joe's primary areas of focus are M&A advising, capital raising, and strategic consulting for companies of all stages.

Joe has more than 35 years of experience in investment banking, venture capital, and early-stage businesses in the U.S. and abroad. He has launched over 20 companies in the technology, education, manufacturing, and retail sectors.

Most recently, Joe founded and led PlanetHS, LLC, a software company serving high school and middle school athletics nationwide. As CEO, he managed the business model's transition from a consumer-oriented service supported by ad revenue to one focused on school athletic departments and state associations.

Prior to PlanetHS, Joe was the founder and managing partner of Venture Alliance, LLC, which facilitated the marriage of ideas, capital, and talent to create new businesses. The firm evaluated over 900 business ideas, pursued over 60 of them, and launched eight new companies using capital raised from private investors, strategic partners, and institutions. He was also the executive vice president and treasurer of Benton & Company, a specialty investment banking firm.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee and the London School of Economics, Joe has earned Doctor of Jurisprudence, Master of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Accounting degrees.

"For more than twenty years, I have known Howard Serkin [Chairman of Heritage Capital Group] and closely followed Heritage," Joe stated. "During that time, the company has grown by adding skillful principals, extending its geographical reach, and entering new industries. I'm excited to leverage my experience to help Heritage continue the momentum."

Doug Kravet, president of Heritage Capital Group, commented, "Joe's skills and expertise are an excellent fit with our team and will accelerate Heritage's growth in all of our core service areas—advising on M&A transactions, capital raising, and strategic consulting. His experience in both operating companies and executing complex transactions will provide an invaluable perspective to our clients as they navigate the capital markets."