The Hampshire Companies, a full service, private real estate investment firm, announced that its Founder and Chairman, Jon F. Hanson, has been named to the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Hanson, along with 15 fellow inductees, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony at the Historic Convention Hall in Asbury Park, N.J. on May 6, 2018.
"Induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame is the highest civilian honor that our State can bestow on someone. It's a celebration of New Jersey that inspires the next generation of New Jersey leaders. Our inductees remind us how so many of our citizens have transformed the world, and how proud we should be of that fact as New Jerseyans," said Governor Phil Murphy.
An industry veteran with more than 60 years of real estate investment experience, Hanson is well-known and equally well-respected throughout the industry and the State. As Founder and Chairman of The Hampshire Companies he has built an extensive career, bringing tangible economic growth to the Garden State. Additionally, throughout the course of his storied career, he has generously given his time, leadership, and knowledge to a variety of organizations and causes.
In addition to his role at Hampshire, Hanson currently serves as, Director of Yankee Global Enterprises, and Chairman Emeritus of HealthSouth Corporation and the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. Previously, he was lead director for Prudential Financial Inc. In 2011, Mr. Hanson received the B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Corporate Directors for his work promoting excellent corporate governance and director accountability.
Hanson has also built a long history of dedicated civic service, working closely with several gubernatorial administrations on economic development initiatives targeted at bringing tangible, long-term business growth to New Jersey. Under Governor Tom Kean’s administration, Hanson served as Chairman of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority where he led a number of initiatives, including the negotiations that brought the New York Jets and New Jersey Devils to the Meadowlands.
Later, under the Christie administration, Hanson chaired the Governor’s New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Advisory Commission and he led the negotiations with Triple Five on the development of the failed Xanadu project at the Meadowlands, which is currently under construction as American Dream, slated for a 2019 opening. He oversaw the creation of the Atlantic City Development Company (“AC Devco”), which has brought significant non-gambling development projects to Atlantic City. Most notable of these is the under-development $220 million Atlantic City Gateway projects that will see an expansion of Stockton University and the construction of a new headquarters for South Jersey Gas Company. AC Devco was inspired by Hanson’s work in representing New Brunswick Theological Seminary in their relocation as a part of New Brunswick Dev Co’s, College Hill project, that allowed for the transformative development of Rutgers’ first academic building in New Brunswick in 40 years.
“My dad built his business and raised his family in New Jersey because it is a place he loves. Throughout his career he has tirelessly worked to make New Jersey a better place to live and to do business,” said James E. Hanson II, CEO of The Hampshire Companies. “His legacy is built on his passion and relentlessness and his ability to bring real economic growth to New Jersey through both the real estate investment activities of Hampshire and his work as a civic leader under multiple gubernatorial administrations. I am proud him, our family is proud of him, and everyone at Hampshire congratulates him on this well-deserved recognition.”
Hanson is joined in the 2017 class by businessman Joe Buckelew, author Harlan Coben, runner Mary Decker, politician Millicent Fenwick, publishing executive Steve Forbes, the band The Four Seasons including members Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and Joe Long, singer Gloria Gaynor, singer-songwriter Debbie Harry of the band BLONDIE, Astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly, Major League Baseball player Al Leiter, nurse Clara Maass, author and journalist Anna Quindlen, actress Meryl Streep, musician and actor Steven Van Zandt, and celebrity chef Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro.
Founded in 2008, The New Jersey Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to the State of New Jersey and beyond. Over its ten years in existence, the NJHOF has inducted 150 notable individuals.
The official 2017 Public Vote Ballot contained 50 nominees - 10 in each of five categories: Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performance Arts, Public Service and Sports. Hanson was selected as a winner in the Enterprise category. Public voting, along with input from the Hall of Fame's Board of Trustees, determined this year's class. More information about the selection process is available on the NJHOF website.
About The Hampshire Companies
The Hampshire Companies is a full service, private real estate investment firm with assets valued at more than $2.3 billion based in Morristown. N.J. The Hampshire Companies is a vibrant, dynamic organization that combines creative vision and superior execution, thereby enabling it to create and enhance value in real estate investments. Additional information on The Hampshire Companies is available online at www.hampshirere.com.
To stay connected with The Hampshire Companies and for updates on the latest transactions and news follow Hampshire on Facebook (www.facebook.com/hampshireco), Twitter (@hampshireco), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/the-hampshire-companies).
Media Contact:
Dan Johnson
R&J Strategic Communications
908-895-0785
djohnson@randjsc.com