THE NEW KING OF THE MOUNTAIN
By Andy Stiny, Albuquerque Journal, N.M. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Executives at the venerable resort, started by the late patriarch
Bacon, 57, is often referred to in news accounts as reclusive or secretive. Attempts to reach him directly through his
But recent interviews with others and past articles from around the world offer some insight into
'Hedge hunk'
Bacon spends his time in
But Bacon doesn't necessarily fit into all of the stereotypes of a full-fledged member of the "1 percent" (he was number 347 on the
He does make numerous and large political contributions. In 2012, he gave at least
He's also sprinkled campaign money on Democrats, including U.S. senators and cousins
But he's best known for -- besides being rich and a successful, prescient hedge-fund manager with his
So much so that in 2013 he was awarded the Audubon Medal given by the
The mission of Bacon's foundation "is to help preserve and protect natural resources for future generations," said
"We also support local community groups, educational and emergency services in our geographic priority areas."
Bacon, whose good looks have earned him descriptions such as "hedge hunk" and "handsome in the manner of an
But he also camps out with a rough-hewn outdoorsman in the
Bacon bonded and has camped with longtime ski valley local
Former U.S. senator,
In a recent interview, Salazar said they see each other several times a year and worked together on the
That doesn't mean public
access for the land,
but protects it from
development. Similarly, an 8,500-acre
Bacon purchased the 172,000
That was a high-profile win for Bacon and conservationists, although the power line path also had support from some solar power advocates and at least one environmental policy group (and the conservation easement, by the way, provided Bacon with a tax break).
But now Tri-State is eyeing the possibility of running the line from
"He's a conservationist at heart," said Salazar of Bacon. "He's a very nice man. He understands the importance of wildlife and sustainability."
Salazar and Bacon are now putting their political muscle and shared conservation credentials into a political action committee, America's Conservation Action Committee. "That's going to be an effort to support candidates who have an interest in conservation, preservation and outdoor recreation, " Salazar said.
Salazar said Bacon's purchase of
A Bacon representative recently met with a group of about 10 conservation-minded
"I just think he has a demonstrated conservation track record that looks very good," she added. "... He has a reputation for listening to the local community. That's a really good sign."
She's not worried about which politicians Bacon has supported with campaign money. "All I look at is his on-the-ground conservation record," she said. "He is progressive in that way and cares about the land."
Bacon has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to conservation groups and other nonprofits in southern
Business success
Bacon has been one of the most successful hedge-fund traders of the past two decades, managing a reported
The success has not been without some controversies.
Last year,
Moore is also a funder of a
<person>Stephen McMenamin, a
"They (
"He's one of the good guys ... he's very generous," said McMenamin. "He's a philanthropist and he's very much concerned about his community, both the professional and personal community."
Bacon's money generator, the global hedge fund market, is not for your average investor -- it's only for individuals with deep pockets and institutions.
"He's one of the original global macro traders," McMenamin said. "It means they literally scour the world for investments and they don't limit themselves to a particular asset class like bonds, stocks, currencies or commodities. They use all of those instruments to build a portfolio."
Bacon famously foresaw the Iraqi invasion of
He'd previously begun a career on
In 2012, Bacon returned
Invested in
Bacon also invested in
Bacon, who's married twice and has six children, owns land in the valley across from the
"This purchase ... brings investment to the table and allows us to go forward with development," Stagg said.
In January, the ski valley announced a key part of the expansion, the
Some
Chef
In any case, if you are looking for Bacon on the slopes, his staff's responses to the Journal said he rates himself an "advanced" skier, and "his favorite run is whatever gives the most challenge and exhilaration."
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(c)2014 Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Visit the Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N.M.) at www.abqjournal.com
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