Ice Nine Consulting operates at the intersection of capital, performance, and precision execution — bringing aviation-grade discipline to M&A transactions, digital assets, aviation strategy, and athlete positioning.
Ice Nine Consulting is a boutique advisory firm built around a single conviction: complex decisions require disciplined structure. We operate selectively, engage deeply, and execute with the same standards demanded at 37,000 feet.
We are not a generalist firm. Every engagement is mission-structured, precision-executed, and purpose-built around the outcome that matters to you.
"In high-consequence environments, success is not accidental — it is engineered."
— Ben Hargis, Founder, Ice Nine Consulting
Each advisory vertical at Ice Nine is built on real-world execution experience — not theoretical frameworks. Whether structuring a transaction or building an athlete's brand, we bring the same disciplined rigor to every engagement.
Advising founders, buyers, and sellers through lower-middle-market transactions with precision and control.
Operational advisory grounded in 20,000+ hours of international command and executive leadership.
Structured advisory for investors and operators navigating the digital asset and blockchain ecosystem.
Building credible, measurable digital portfolios for student-athletes in the NIL and transfer-portal era.
Bridging operators and capital with strategic clarity, controlled pacing, and high-trust communications.
All engagements are subject to conversation and scoped to your specific situation. The ranges below reflect typical structures — every deal is different.
Ben Hargis is the Founder and Principal of Ice Nine Consulting, a strategic advisory firm focused on high-level transaction execution, capital alignment, and disciplined growth strategy. He advises founders, operators, and investors navigating complex decisions where clarity, structure, and execution determine outcomes.
Ben's career was forged in environments where performance is measured in absolutes. As an international Airbus A320 Captain with more than 20,000 flight hours — and former Assistant Chief Pilot for Alaska Airlines — he operated in one of the most highly regulated and unforgiving industries in the world. Commanding aircraft and crews across international operations, he developed a leadership philosophy rooted in precision, risk management, accountability, and composure under pressure.
Beyond aviation, Ben brings a substantial background in business brokerage and strategic dealmaking. Through his work with IBG Global, VR Business Brokers, and California Business Brokers, he facilitated and negotiated the sale of privately held companies across multiple sectors — structuring multi-million-dollar transactions, aligning capital partners, and guiding founders through high-stakes negotiations with discipline and control.
He is recognized for his direct negotiation style, steady executive presence, and ability to establish trust quickly with sophisticated buyers and investors. Ice Nine Consulting reflects Ben's core principle: in high-consequence environments, success is not accidental — it is engineered.
Ice Nine works with a select number of clients at a time. If you're navigating a high-stakes decision and want disciplined advisory support, we want to hear from you.