It was more than a decade ago when I met John Haynes at the L2E conference. At the time he was running
admissions for LDS Business College in Salt Lake City (now Ensign College). I had flown in to teach young adults how to build real careers in digital marketing, and John was there because he believed that education should lead to opportunity. We immediately bonded over a shared mission: helping young people find purpose and direction in their work.
What I didn’t know then was that John had already spent nearly three decades shaping Utah’s advertising scene. He co‑founded Penna Powers Brian Haynes—the largest ad agency in the state—and helped build brands across the Mountain West with nothing more than elbow grease and integrity. When he retired, the agency thanked him with a poster celebrating 28 years of service. I snapped a picture of that poster, and it became my phone’s lock screen for years. Not because it looks slick, but because it reminds me of the kind of leader I want to be—someone who builds success and then uses it to lift others.
Mentoring with humility
John is a big deal—but he would never say that. Despite running Utah’s biggest agency and later leading college admissions, he’s disarmingly humble. He doesn’t need to trumpet his own accomplishments because his impact shows in the lives he’s touched: returned missionaries and students who found confidence, practical skills and faith through his guidance.
Ten years ago I visited him at Penna Powers Haynes and took a photo of us together, arms around each other. It was my way of saying thank you. Years later, I still see that photo and smile—not because of nostalgia, but because it’
It’s a reminder that success means little if it isn’t used to serve.
Earlier this week I felt prompted to reach out to John while passing through Salt Lake City. I messaged my friend Sam McLeod—one of the young adults I’ve been mentoring—and we met up with John for dinner. You can see the three of us in the photo below: Sam on the left, John in the middle and me on the right. We shared stories, laughed about the old days and watched John and Sam split a dessert the size of a small mountain.
A reunion in Salt Lake City
Moments like this remind me why we do what we do. As co‑founders of Local Service Spotlight, Sam and I train and certify young adults around the world to run agencies serving local businesses. It’s the same mission John has lived for decades—helping people grow, create and serve.
Faith, service and the next generation
John is deeply religious, and while I’m not a member of his faith, we share a love of Jesus and a belief that work should be an act of service. Legally, we can’t say we hire only Christians. But we can say that the young adults who thrive in our program believe in service, faith and helping others succeed. That’s the spirit John embodies, and it’s the spirit we need more of in the world—especially now, when technology like AI is changing everything.
John and I have both seen how skills training and mentorship can transform lives. Whether it’s a returned missionary trying to figure out life after service or a young adult unsure of what career to pursue, he listens, guides and encourages. He teaches practical skills like digital marketing, but more importantly he teaches how to treat people—with kindness, patience and integrity.
Gratitude and a call to action
This post isn’t about accolades or awards. It’s a thank‑you. Thank you, John, for showing what real leadership looks like. Thank you for helping young adults find their way. Thank you for making an impact that lasts far beyond any job title.
The world needs more people like John Haynes—people who use their talents to serve others, who stay humble no matter how successful they become and who share their faith through action. If you’re looking for inspiration or direction, learn more about John, check out Sam’s story and explore Local Service Spotlight. Tools and platforms will come and go, but the heart behind them—service, faith and integrity—never goes out of style.
Cover images courtesy of Dennis Yu. All photos taken with permission and used here to honor John Haynes’s contributions to education and advertising.