Zenon C.R. Hansen was former chairman of the board and CEO of Mack Trucks, Inc. Mr. Hansen died in 1990 at the age of 81.
As the fifth president of Mack Trucks from 1965-1974, Hansen turned an ailing company with deteriorating earnings into one of the leading truck manufacturers in the world.
Hansen was active in Boy Scouts of America and earned the distinguished Eagle Scout Award and the St. George Medal. He entered scouting as a Boy Scout in 1923 and became president of several area councils and regions. In 1959, he began serving on the National Executive Board.
He was elected to the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1982. Hansen received nine honorary degrees during his lifetime from colleges and universities around the country.
In 1997, funds from The Zenon C.R. Hansen Foundation endowed the leadership program at Doane College. The Hansen Leadership Program is designed to develop the leadership skills of Doane students, high school students, and community residents through education and civic partnerships. This collaborative effort involves not only students and faculty, but also alumni and community leaders, who serve as mentors and role models.