Democrats select Jim Hansen as Executive Director

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Contact: Chuck Oxley (208) 871-4976 (office)

BOISE, Idaho – Idaho State Democratic Party Chairman Keith Roark is delighted to announce the appointment of one of Idaho’s best known and most experienced community leaders to serve as the state party’s new Executive Director. Jim Hansen will lead an energetic staff not only into the critical 2008 campaign season, but beyond this year and into an unprecedented period of party rebuilding and unity.

"I am committed to rebuilding the Idaho Democratic Party from the ground up, precinct by precinct, county by county,” Roark said. “The Idaho Democratic Party is standing up for the middle class, working to make government transparent and protecting the Idaho lifestyle against corporate greed. Idaho needs a strong and vibrant Democratic Party and Jim Hansen will provide exactly the kind of executive leadership and direction we need to make our voice heard at this critical time.

“With Jim Hansen as our Executive Director, the Idaho Democratic Party will be in a position to better help Idahoans become more active participants in shaping the future of their communities and their state. The huge public response to Democratic Caucuses two months ago demonstrates that Idahoans are not only ready for change, they are ready to participate in making that change happen.

"Jim served with distinction in the Idaho legislature, helped start and has managed a successful non-profit business for 13 years and has been involved in a host of community services. I am confident that Jim is the right person to help manage the party a growing, energetic, diverse and committed team of Democratic leaders in Idaho.

"It takes a special kind of person to handle the unique set of pressures that arise in a democracy as a party executive director. He must be unflappable, a good listener, a skilled facilitator; he must be smart and strategic. And, when everyone else is tired and frustrated, he must help us keep focused and moving forward.

"It is almost too much to ask of one person, but someone has to do it. Jim Hansen comes from a long line of successful Idaho politicians. I know he is capable, qualified and motivated toward success. I am honored to welcome him to this important position."

Jim will start work as Executive Director on April 15.

Jim Hansen: The Basics

Born Nov. 5, 1959, in Idaho Falls to Orval and June Hansen.

Attended grade school in Idaho Falls, then moved with his family in 1969 to Arlington, Va., after his father was elected to represent Idaho's 2nd District in the U.S. Congress.

Graduated from College of William and Mary in 1982 and the University of IdahoCollege of Law (1985).

Worked as a ranger-naturalist in Yellowstone National Park, interned for Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones in 1984, was a law clerk for Chief Justice Charles Donaldson on the Idaho Supreme Court from 1985 to 1986.

Practiced law with the firm Givens, McDevitt, Pursley, Webb & Buser from 1986 to 1991, focusing primarily on water and natural resource issues.

Elected to the Idaho Legislature in 1988, representing Southeast Boise. Re-elected in 1990 and 1992. Voluntarily retired in 1994.

Married Joan Cartan-Hansen in Stanley in 1990. Daughter Samantha was born in 1991 and son Harrison in 1995.

Served as Acting Director of the Office of Conflict Management Services at Boise State University from 1992 to 1994.

Helped Found several small business, the nonprofit organizations United Vision for Idaho, United Action for Idaho, the Fund for Idaho and the Interfaith Alliance of Idaho. Served as executive director of United Vision for Idaho for 13 years.

Served as President of the Rotary Club of Boise-Sunrise 2004-2005.

Awarded the prestigious "Leadership for a Changing World Award" by the Ford Foundation in 2005 with his colleagues at United Vision for Idaho.

Jim Hansen: A Short Narrative

The tight-knit Hansen family has lived and worked in Idaho for four generations. Jim and his wife, Joan Cartan-Hansen, are proud parents of Samantha and Harrison, both of whom attend public schools.

Jim's values are rooted in his large extended family, where public service is an honored tradition. Jim served in the Idaho Legislature from 1988-1994. His father, Orval Hansen, served with distinction in the Idaho Legislature and U.S. Congress as a representative from the 2nd District (1968-1974). Jim's uncles, John Hansen and Reed Hansen, both of Idaho Falls, are former members of the Idaho Legislature. Other family members have answered the call for public service in local office.

The family is bi-partisan, offering both parties their skills and services. They agree that competition of ideas is what makes our system great and that there are good people in both parties. They also agree that when partisanship becomes bitter and personal, it undermines the public interest.

Jim's first experience with elected office came in 1988, when he was elected to represent Southeast Boise in the Idaho Legislature. He served on the Education, Health and Welfare and Judiciary committees. He was re-elected twice, then imposed his own term limit and voluntarily retired from the Legislature in 1994. Jim's work in the Legislature focused primarily on improving education and reforming the way government operates to make it more accountable.

He continued to serve his community in other ways. Jim served as acting director of the Office of Conflict Management Services at Boise State University from 1992-1994. In 1995 he became the founding director of United Vision for Idaho, a coalition of organizations working to empower participation in democracy. Jim built this small business with the help of many others who shared his vision and helped others start similar not-for-profit businesses. Jim has been a member of Rotary since 1989 and has served as president of his club.