Mr. Hanson is a lifelong resident of Lassen County, and a recent graduate of California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. He is working toward a master’s degree in integrated resource management. He has provided volunteer service to the Lassen County Chamber of Commerce, the Banner-Lassen Medical Center, and to the local 4-H organization. Hanson's family holds grazing permits and private lands adjacent to BLM wilderness study areas.