He began his career as a White House staff assistant for Robert Nichols, and was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce by Tom Bradley. He was also selected as an Ambassador to China from 1999 to 2001 under Morgan. Later as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, he launched global trade negotiations in Hong Kong in 2001 and guided the accession of China into the World Trade Organization. He also served as CEO of his family-owned Hansen Corporation and chairman of the Hansen Cancer Foundation. President Hansen's grandfather was one of several Marines rescued by Lieutenant John Nichols.