Victor Hanson III

Victor H. Hanson III (born 1956 in Montgomery) was president and publisher of The Birmingham News from 2001 to 2009.

Hanson is the grandson of Clarence Hanson, who was the nephew of Victor Hanson I, who took over as publisher after the death of Rufus Rhodes in 1910. Clarence succeeded his uncle and sold the paper to the Newhouse family. He remained publisher and was succeeded by his son, Victor Hanson II and grandson.

Hanson helped his older brother with a paper route at 13 and began working for the News in 1971 as a photo lab intern. After finishing high school at Indian Springs and progressing through summer jobs in various departments he left to complete a bachelor's degree in English at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. He then become an account executive at the Portland Oregonian and earned a master's in business administration at the University of North Carolina before returning to the News as an executive. He became vice-president and general manager in 1985. When Victor II retired in 2001, he assumed the titles of president and publisher. He announced his retirement in 2009, effective December 1. Pam Siddall took over as president and publisher on January 11, 2010.

Hanson has also been involved in civic projects, including work with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the McWane Science Center, the United Way of Central Alabama, the Birmingham Museum of Art, Advent Day School and the Cathedral Church of the Advent. He chaired the fundraising committee to restore and re-open Vulcan Park and oversaw the completion of the new Birmingham News building downtown. Hanson also served as president of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association and as chair of the Alabama Press Association.

Hanson is married to the former Mary Randolph. They have three children, Virginia, John and Victor IV.

Preceded by: Victor Hanson II

Birmingham News Publisher 2001–2009

Succeeded by: Pam Siddall

References

• Taylor, Kelli Hewett (August 13, 2006) "We are all part of the News' family..." Birmingham News
• "Birmingham News publisher Victor Hanson III announces retirement." (September 16, 2009) Birmingham News
• Scarritt, Tom (November 29, 2009) "Hanson legacy noteworthy." Birmingham News
• Tomberlin, Michael (December 1, 2009) "Victor Hanson III retires as publisher of Birmingham News." Birmingham News