Community Corner

Dick Hanson Named Woodbury's Citizen Of The Year

The Woodbury Chamber of Commerce will honor Hanson, along with the Tropical Ballroom and a team of teachers from Middleton Elementary, at a Jan. 20 gala.

Dick Hanson likes to make things pop.

He recalls sitting in a conference room—“I don’t even remember what the meeting was about”—and an image came into his head: a popcorn maker overflowing.

“If I can create that spark or be that heat to make the popcorn popper go—that’s my passion,” Hanson said.

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Hanson was by the . The took home the Business of the Year honors, and a group of fourth-grade teachers from secured the Educator of the Year award.

In his typical fashion, Hanson deflected credit for the award, which he won primarily for his work with the . Several of his colleagues on the WCF Board have won the award in the past.

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“They’ve all done a lot more than I have for this community over the years,” he said. “I don’t feel qualified to be in the same league as the other winners."

Still, Hanson said he was likely honored for his ability to connect people—to get that popcorn popping.

The 73-year-old Rochester, MN, native, who has lived in Woodbury since 1970, worked at 3M for several years, his last 10 before retirement as vice president of the 3M Foundation. It was during that time that Hanson sat on several east metro boards and foundations, and the experience prepped him for his work with the Woodbury Community Foundation.

“That gave me a huge appreciation for the nonprofit sector,” Hanson said, adding later: “It kind of made me a natural on the micro scale in Woodbury.

The transition from sales and marketing to community work at 3M also gave him an appreciation for the value of creating partnerships.

“How to crate collaborative initiatives that cross our public, private and nonprofit sectors,” Hanson said. “I thrive on connecting the dots and watching magic things happen—not because of what I do, but because a couple of people I know can come together.”

He sees his role with the Woodbury Community Foundation—which lately has been taking up the —as a facilitator.

“That’s how my personal ambition fits with the foundation’s role in the community,” Hanson said.

For Alisa Rabin Bell, executive director of the WCF, Hanson is the “consummate volunteer."

“He is part of the backbone of the Woodbury Community Foundation,” she said. “Without his dedication, time, energy and passion for the WCF, we would not be nearly the organization we are today. “

Hanson spends “inordinate amounts of time serving Woodbury,” Bell said.

“Dick Hanson knows how to think strategically to help take organizations to the next level,” she said. “He is an expert at bringing together people and organizations for a greater cause. He loves to learn and continuously puts that knowledge to great use.”

Hanson said his knowledge is generally “a mile wide and an inch deep,” but if he isn’t a master of a particular realm, he knows someone who is.

“Just get the right people together and encourage them to work together—and they get things done,” he said. “Allow the future to emerge through you. It’s almost a spiritual level of transition.”

His personal philosophy, he said, dovetails with that of the Woodbury Community Foundation: “The key word is ‘connect.’”

As for the award, Hanson said he feels honored, but it’s also good for the WCF and its mission to “connect people with causes that matter.”

“It’s very gratifying personally—that’s my passion, that’s what turns me on: seeing other people getting turned on,” he said.

Hanson is fully appreciated by the Woodbury Community Foundation, Bell said.

“We truly recognize his significance to our organization and are very proud of this recognition for him,” she said.


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