John Hansen

John Hansen, the interim president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, could have retired after a first career in the area schools and a second career in the Michigan legislature.

But, instead he chose being an "intentional interim" as his third career.

"Nobody wants to retire," he said. "But they don't necessarily want to work with the same intensity."

He said some choose to work part-time during their retirement, but he prefers to work intensely full-time for a few months of the year and then taking a few months off. His current position is his seventh as an interim; he has had the title of interim city or township supervisor, interim superintendent and interim head of a nonprofit.

Now, his job is to shepherd the chamber through the process of finding its new permanent director while assuring the membership that the day-to-day affairs of the organization are being managed.

The chamber's visioning committee has brainstormed ideas about what qualities are needed in its next leader. Now the search committee must develop a job description and identify candidates who have those qualities. One quality that new leader will need, Hansen said, is an ability to connect with the "new economy."

He said the chamber has done a good job of representing traditional manufacturing and knowledge industries, but it will have to find ways to provide valuable services to young start-ups who are conducting business in non-traditional ways.

Hansen said many times people assume the person filling the interim position will want to compete for the permanent role, but in Hansen's case, "I'm not looking for a long-term full-time position anywhere."

Instead, Hansen said, he enjoys being known as someone available to fill in, but who leaves when the search for his replacement is completed. His role, he says, is to instill confidence in an organization's members while they seek a permanent leader.

"It gives them a chance to sit back and carefully, thoughtfully plan for the new person," he said. "It gives them time to make a good decision."

Background

Education: Bachelor's, master's and doctorate degree from University of Michigan.

Family: Married to Sandra Hansen, a local landscape architect. One daughter, Claire, who lives in Chelsea.

Residence: Downtown Dexter for the last 34 years.

Business Insights

Best business decision: I have hired some really fantastic people over the years that live on in the organizations that I have worked for.

Worst business decision: There have been quite a few, but most relate to making a decision before I had all of the necessary information.

Best way to keep competitive edge: Stay informed. Read, read, read and listen a lot.

Personal hero: Joe Robinson, an early mentor in the guidance and counseling business.

How do you motivate people: I find that most people are already pretty well motivated. It is more a matter of keeping them focused on the goals of the organization and remembering to thank them for their work.

What advice would you give to yourself in college: Be a part of something. I wish I had tried out for the Glee Club. It is the small group of friends that lasts a lifetime.

Word that best describes you: Entertaining.

First Web site you check in the morning: I go right to e-mail.

Confessions

What keeps you up at night: Playing "what if?" with whatever issue I happen to be facing.

Pet peeve: I have a pet (Angus the collie), but no peeves.

Guilty pleasure: Bailey's Irish Cream.

First job: Newspaper salesman in a veteran's hospital.

First choice for a new career: I like this career - being an intentional interim.

Treasures

Favorite cause: Ozone House.

Favorite book: "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat Moon or any good road trip book.

Favorite movie: "Moonstruck."

Favorite hobby: Assistant gardener/old house renovation specialist.

Favorite restaurant: Paesano's.

LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter? Linked In and Facebook.

Typical Saturday: At home working in the yard or on the house.

What team do you root for? U-M.

Wheels: '68 Austin Healey Sprite for summer fun. Ford Ranger pick-up for day-to-day.

Who would play you in a movie? My most recent live dramatic role was as Harvey the invisible rabbit in "Harvey."