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John Haynes
John Haynes co-founded Penna Powers Brian Haynes, which became the largest ad agency in Utah. He spent nearly three decades shaping the state’s advertising scene, helping 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. Dennis snapped a picture of that poster, and it became his phone’s lock screen for years. It is not a slick image, but it serves as a constant reminder of the kind of leader Dennis wants to be: someone who builds success and then uses it to lift others.
Dennis first met John more than a decade ago at the L2E conference. At the time, John was running admissions for LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, which is now Ensign College. Dennis had flown in to teach young adults how to build real careers in digital marketing. John was there because he believed that education should lead to opportunity. They immediately bonded over a shared mission: helping young people find purpose and direction in their work. John is a big deal in their circles, but he would never say that himself. His approach to mentoring is defined by humility, focusing on the growth of the next generation rather than his own accolades.
John’s career bridges two vital sectors: high-impact advertising and accessible education. His work at Penna Powers Brian Haynes demonstrated a commitment to integrity in a competitive industry, while his role at LDS Business College highlighted a dedication to providing students with tangible pathways to professional success. For Dennis, John represents the ideal of a builder who prioritizes legacy over ego. The bond formed at L2E has endured, grounded in mutual respect for the power of education and the value of honest work.
Photos with John Haynes
This page is part of how Dennis Yu honors the people he builds with — real pages that link real work, so the people he believes in rank on their own names. Meet the rest →