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Gerald D. Hansen is the Executive Director of Paint Your Heart Out Tampa and Office Professional for Thrivent Financial.
Mr. Hansen was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduating from Greenfield High School, Greenfield, Wisconsin in 1968, he attended Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois. He completed his college education at St. Leo College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in Sociology in 1989.
Mr. Hansen spent twenty-one years in the United States Air Force with assignments to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Yokota Air Base, Japan, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, FL and Zweibrucken Air Force Base, West Germany. He retired in May 1990. Then spend twenty-three years as Executive Director of the Tampa Builders Exchange. He retires in August 2012.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was promoted to Master Sergeant through STEPS (Stripes for Exceptional Performers) in August of 1983. He was also named as the Tampa Military Citizen of the Year and MacDill AFB Military Family of the year for 1986. Mr. Hansen was named the Management Award recipient in 1995 from the International Builders Exchange Executives (IBEE). In 2017 was named one of the Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero and was inducted into the Buffalo Soldiers Ring of Honor. In 2024 was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Military Hero of the Game.
Served as president of the IBEE from 1995 to 1997. Has been involved with Paint Your Heart Out, Tampa from the beginning (thirty-five years). Served on various committees and was chairperson in 1999 and 2000. Became the Executive Director in 2001. Served as President of the West Hillsborough of Chapter of Thrivent for Lutheran and Chairperson of Messiah Lutheran Pre School Board.
Gerald D. Hansen is married to Pamela Hansen and they have eight children; Rob, Rochelle, Brenda, Bridget, Jason, Michael, Travis and Anthony. They also have seven grandsons, two granddaughters and one Godson.
