Hancock Lumber welcomed Joey Banks and Justin Gibbons as interns this summer at our Home Office in Casco. Both students are entering their senior year of college this fall, and the pair teamed up to spend time with our finance department, working on various projects and building out recommendations based on their research, interviews, and financial modeling. To cap off their summer work, Joey and Justin presented to Hancock Lumber’s executive team leaving everyone in the room impressed.
Chief Financial Officer, Florian Knappe, shared feedback on the experience, “Mentoring Joey and Justin this summer was a real highlight for me. Both brought fresh perspectives, curiosity, and a strong work ethic to our finance team. They weren’t just completing tasks—they were asking insightful questions, challenging assumptions, and developing thoughtful recommendations that added real value. It’s rewarding to see young professionals so engaged in learning, and I’m confident successful futures lie ahead for both.”
Joey Banks is attending the University of Maine in Orono majoring in finance and minoring in economics. Joey is a life-long Mainer, currently residing in Naples. Upon graduation, Joey is hoping to pursue a career in personal financial advising but is open to wherever his degree takes him. Joey was sparked by an internship opportunity with Hancock Lumber because of the company culture — ‘putting humans first’ as he put it—and the geographical footprint being close to home.
When asked what some key takeaways from his time at Hancock Lumber were, Joey shared the following,
“The biggest takeaway for me is the way this internship changed how I imagine a career in finance. I always envisioned endless spreadsheets or stock market research, depending on your specific field of finance. Now, after working with and around Hancock Lumber’s finance team, I’ve seen the possibilities regarding flexibility and work-life balance that are viable with a corporate finance position. Some other takeaways include the experience I got collaborating 1-on-1 with a partner, and the great connections I’ve made going to different locations.”
—Joey Banks
Justin Gibbons is attending the University of Southern Maine (USM) where he is majoring in economics and minoring in honors + Spanish. At USM, Justin is the Student Senate Treasurer of his class. Another Maine native, Justin has strong ties to not only the construction industry, but to Hancock Lumber as well. When looking for internships, he was intrigued by the opportunity to contribute to one of the largest Eastern White Pine producers in North America, while having the opportunity to operate under the shared leadership that Kevin Hancock has cultivated. Upon graduation, Justin is hoping to pursue a law degree concentrating in financial law.
When asked what some key takeaways were from his time at Hancock Lumber, Justin shared,
“The work environment was incredibly supportive. Throughout much of my time here, there were always individuals who I could lean on for support and advice. Having this support made the work experience incredible and highlights why the company has been one of the “Best Places to Work in ME” for over a decade. Another takeaway that I took from my time here was the organization’s willingness to listen to outside opinions and perspectives. This was evident from the first day and really shows how vulnerable Hancock Lumber can be in its pursuit of improvement.”
—Justin Gibbons
Thank you, Justin and Joey, for eight weeks of incredible work! Your dedication and commitment to the projects truly show what great young professionals and humans you are. We wish you the best of luck in your senior year.
Are you interested in an internship with Hancock Lumber? Please reach out to our Chief People Officer, Hillary Roy to explore potential opportunities: [email protected].