The Enterprise Center of Johnson County today announced George Hansen as CEO and president.
Less than two years ago, George Hansen helped put the Kansas City region on the tech map when Google acquired Zave Networks—where he was president and CEO—for an undisclosed sum. Now he’s hoping to do the same for a host of other high-growth companies.
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The Enterprise Center of Johnson County (ECJC), a nonprofit venture development organization, today announced Hansen’s appointment as president and CEO. He’ll step in for Joel Wiggins, who accepted the role of president at his alma mater, Crown College in Minnesota.
“(Hansen) has a proven track record and a deep understanding of how businesses are started, financed, built and accelerated,” said Jim Dodd, chairman of the ECJC. “At a time when new models for startup acceleration are appearing throughout the KC area, we are pleased to have an executive that will keep Johnson County and Kansas at the forefront of innovation and company creation.”
Hansen (right) helped facilitate the sale of Kansas City, Kan.-based digital coupons startup Zave Networks to Google in September 2011—Zavers by Google was introduced this January—a kind of deal that has been the norm during his career. He was a director with private equity investment fund TGP Investments in Kansas City, Mo., immediately before, helping manage $56.5 million to make middle-market investments. He also has been CEO at Corporate Lodging and CARSTAR.
“I am delighted to be joining ECJC and look forward to working with its board to advance venture development efforts in a new era,” Hansen said. “ECJC has been a pioneer as a local incubator, and is well-positioned to take on new challenges as the landscape changes. Johnson County is fertile ground for building great companies.”
The Center provides “advisory services, access to funding resources, entrepreneurial education, office space and networking connections for high-growth companies,” according to the release. Cities in its service area include Prairie Village, Lenexa, Overland Park and Olathe.
Credits: Photo from ECJC on Facebook. Hansen head shot from LinkedIn.
