Ken’s Background

Ken Simpler was elected Delaware’s State Treasurer on November 4, 2014 and served in that office through January 1, 2019. Ken stepped up to the plate and ran for public office with no prior political experience because he saw an opportunity to apply his academic learning and financial experience to make state government better for all Delawareans.

Finance Guy: Finance Jobs

Prior to being elected State Treasurer, Ken served as the Chief Financial Officer of Delaware-based Seaboard Hotels. As an owner-operator, he assisted in developing and managing hotel and retail properties in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Nags Head, North Carolina.

Ken previously held the position of Managing Director at Citadel, LLC, a $35 billion global investment fund. At Citadel, he oversaw a billion dollar portfolio, managed personnel in Chicago, San Francisco, New York/Greenwich, London and Tokyo and served on the firm’s worldwide investment committee.

He began his career as a corporate attorney at Kirkland & Ellis, a national law firm. Ken’s work at K&E focused on mergers, acquisitions and capital-raising transactions for corporate and private equity clients.

Ken has served on the board of directors of Draper Holdings, the parent company of WBOC and Fox 21, and the finance committee of Beebe Healthcare.

Ongoing Education: Life-long Learner

Ken is a life-long learner with a passion for applying empirical research to real-world applications. He is currently enrolled at the University of Delaware’s School of Public Policy where he plans to graduate with a Masters in Public Administration.

Ken earned graduate degrees from the University of Chicago in both business and law. He received an M.B.A. with honors from the Graduate School of Business and a J.D. with honors from the Law School.

As an undergraduate, Ken attended Princeton University where he obtained his degree in Political Economy, summa cum laude.

Ken began his schooling at Rehoboth Elementary and attended high school at St. Andrew’s in Middletown, graduating summa cum laude and representing the school in Delaware’s 30th Annual Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game.

Ken has sought out continuing educational opportunities at the state and national levels. He was a member of Leadership Delaware’s Class of 2011 and a fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Public Leadership program, class of 2016.

Family First: Dedicated Father and Husband

Ken married his college sweetheart, Elizabeth, in 1991. Liz and Ken are devoted parents to their three children, Blakeley, Gillian and Emmett, and make their home in Newark.

Ken was born and raised in Rehoboth Beach, where his family owned and operated the Avenue Restaurant for almost a half of a century. Read more about Ken’s Delaware Roots here.

Video: Liz Simpler addresses Delaware voters on the eve of Election Day.