“I’ve always gone places where there was an opportunity to add value, have fun or both. Luckily, it’s been both.” Matt Hanson, director of new ventures at UC Irvine’s Beall Applied Innovation, is confident his upcoming role as staff advisor designate to the Regents will be the ideal next step.
He long envisioned himself following in his father’s footsteps and pursuing a career in music. Matt’s father convinced him that focusing on his aptitude for math and science would lead to a more rewarding and stable career.
So, Matt took the “safer” route and decided to try to become an astronaut instead. “You know, I thought I’d just choose something really easy and manageable to achieve,” Matt joked. As a U.S. Air Force officer, Matt got closer to this ambitious goal than most, making it much of the way through the astronaut evaluation process when the tragic explosion of the space shuttle Challenger led to a hiatus in the program.
This led him to a career at Northrop Grumman, a leading aerospace and defense company, to the development of a medical technology startup and eventually to his current role as director of new ventures at Beall Applied Innovation. “I’ve had an opportunity to work with brilliant people doing amazing things — it’s like living my entrepreneur experience on steroids.”
Matt watched his Beall Applied Innovation colleague, Kate Klimow, serve UC as staff advisor in 2018-2020, so he was aware of the role’s potential for making a meaningful impact. “Over the last six months, when I saw changes sweeping through the military, government, industry and academia — every sector I’ve worked in — I wanted to find a way to channel my experience in those areas in a constructive, positive and hopeful way. As staff advisor, I’m hoping to help build an even better future for the UC system and the people in it.”
Meet Matt
- When did you start working for UC? September 2018
- In five words or less, what do you do for UC? Help faculty become startup founders.
- Why do you love working for UC? The chance to channel our collective creativity and create a better future.
- What’s something people don’t know about you? Lots of stuff that doesn’t show up on a resume, hah! I’m the youngest of nine and have 10 children. Growing up, I wanted to be a rock star — literally — since my Dad was a musician. Even after he convinced me to pursue my love of the space program, I kept music as a hobby. I’m still a singer, songwriter and guitarist. I’ve been in two movies: Hal Ashby’s “Coming Home” with Jon Voigt, Bruce Dern and Jane Fonda, which won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and Steven Spielberg’s “1941” with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. I also took up owning and riding trail horses five years ago (is that what Dad meant by a “stable career”?).
- Who’s your dream dinner guest (living or dead) and why? How about a garden party instead — imagine the conversations! Authors Victor Hugo for his creative depth and the Bronte sisters for their passion; poet Khalil Gibran for his unique insights; singer-songwriters John Denver for his joyfulness and Chappell Roan for her fearlessness; ancient mathematician Hypatia for her bravery; astronaut Neil Armstrong for his humble courage; business innovators Dr. Dre for his philanthropy and Jessica Alba for her ethical approach to business; and comedians Robin Williams for his amazing humor and Zarna Garg for her boldness. And my wife, children and parents so that they could meet all these people, too.
- What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? In meeting Art Garfunkel and Kenny Loggins, they both said, “You don’t wanna be a rock star — it’s 40 years singing the same 40 songs 40 times a year.” Dad was right.