I have worked closely with Ben for ten years and know that he will play a key role in the leadership of Burger King Corporation,'' said Dasburg. "Ben brings to the Burger King team outstanding transaction skills and abilities as well as exceptional legal and government affairs expertise. I am very pleased and proud that Ben has chosen to join us at Burger King Corporation at this very important juncture.''
Prior to joining Burger King Corporation, Hirst, 56, was general counsel of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball Club. Prior to joining the Twins, he held executive positions with Northwest Airlines, including senior vice president, corporate affairs, in which he acted as an in-house investment banker, and senior vice president, general counsel, labor relations and government affairs. Hirst played a key role, working with John Dasburg, in the turnaround of Northwest Airlines in the 1990s.
Barry Blum, general counsel for North America, Philip Kinnersly, vice president, legal for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Warner Glass, regional counsel for Latin America and Rudi Sellers, legal director for Asia/Pacific will report to Hirst.
Prior to joining Northwest Airlines in 1990, Hirst served as vice president and general counsel of Continental Airlines. He also previously served as an associate professor of Law at the University of Puget Sound, served at the Civil Aeronautics Board, practiced law in Vermont and served as a law clerk to the Honorable James S. Holden, U.S. District Court, Vermont, from 1972 to 1973. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Smarte Carte Corporation.
Hirst holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.
