About Us

Get acquainted with our team.


At The Business Knowledge Center, we’re passionate about helping small business owners succeed by equipping them with the information and tools they need to achieve their goals. Co-founders Jim Devine and Bob Hogan have spent their careers in the financial field—including over 15 years at the helm of Hipereon Inc., a leading financial training and consulting firm.

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James R. Devine

James R. Devine,

Mr. Devine has more than 35 years of experience in managing, financing, purchasing, and selling closely held companies. He has trained thousands of business owners, accountants, and lenders around the world, and has served as a featured speaker at numerous conferences.
 
Before co-founding Hipereon Inc. in 1999, Mr. Devine was a senior consultant for Moss Adams Advisory Services, manager of acquisitions for DLW Enterprises Inc., and CEO of two manufacturing businesses. In addition, he spent 10 years with Seattle First National Bank.
 
Mr. Devine has held numerous faculty positions: faculty chair at the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Philadelphia; lead faculty member at the California Bankers Association Commercial Lending School and Oregon Bankers Lending Institute; and faculty member at the National Graduate Trust School, Northwestern University, and the Graduate Banking School, University of Wisconsin. He also co-created CUES School of Business Lending, where he is a lead faculty member.
 
He earned his BA from the University of Montana and an MBA from Southern Illinois University, and is a member of the business honor society; Beta Gamma Sigma.
Bob  Hogan

Bob Hogan,

With over 30 years of banking and business management experience, Mr. Hogan has providing training and consulting to a wide range of small and closely held businesses, large corporations, financial institutions, government entities, and trade associations. His career has taken him around the United States and overseas to Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.
 
Prior to joining Mr. Devine as co-founder of Hipereon in 1999, Mr. Hogan was senior manager and consultant for Moss Adams Advisory Services. He also spent nearly ten years at Seattle First National Bank.
 
He has served as a keynote speaker at numerous conventions and CPA association meetings. He is currently faculty chair for the Oregon Banker’s Association Commercial Lending Institute and the California Bankers Association Commercial Lending School, where he also co-developed the curriculum. In addition, he co-created the CUES School of Business Lending and serves as a lead instructor.
 
Mr. Hogan earned his BS from Coe College and an MBA from Southern Illinois University, and is a member of the business honor society; Beta Gamma Sigma.