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Leonard J. Hansen  

Len Hansen is the nation’s pioneer, award-winning journalist writing, editing and publishing to, for and about mature adults.

He founded, edited and published of the multi-award winning Senior World newsmonthlies in 1973, and established and edited Mature Life Features syndicate and Senior Publishers Media Group in 1977. For fourteen years his Mainly for Seniors column was syndicated to more than 200 newspapers each week by Copley News Service.

Len’s investigative reporting has resulted in prosecution and conviction of many who once preyed by fraud on senior citizens, corrective action by federal and state agencies on organizations and businesses, reversal of harmful legislation, and the introduction and passage of protective legislation for seniors in thirteen states. His successful investigations have been recognized and covered by major media such as CBS 60 Minutes, ABC Nightline, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, trade and professional publications, and more.

Hansen’s writing credits include: The Washington Post, Mature Outlook, GRIT, Copley News Service, Mature Life Features, Retired Officer, Prime Times, wisecity.com, drkoop.com, and scores more.

Len Hansen’s professional performance has been recognized by national and regional organizations with 102 professional awards, 62 of those for his work specifically in the mature adult subject field. The American Society on Aging presented him its prestigious Long-Term Achievement Award in National Media in 1999; The Alicia Patterson Foundation named him a Fellow in Journalism in 1999 to investigate and report on fraud on senior citizens by telemarketing and the Internet; and the National Press Foundation has granted him three Fellowships..The San Diego Press Club honored him as the first journalist to receive its Headliner of the Year in Communications award. Len has also received national and regional awards in media for writing, editing and investigative journalism.

Len Hansen was a Presidential Delegate to the 1981 White House Conference on Aging, Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the San Diego Crime Control Commission, Member of the California Task Force on Long Term Care (appointed by Governor George Deukmejian), Member of the California Commission on Elderly Nutrition Programs (appointed by Governor Jerry Brown), Co-founder and Vice Chairman of the San Diego Housing Task Force, Co-Founder and Member of HELP – Housing for Elderly and Low Income Persons in San Diego, and Founder of the Adam 65 crime protection program for older adults which was adopted by the San Diego Police Department and many other cities. He has testified as an expert twelve times to committees of the United States Senate and House of Representatives and to legislative committees on aging and crime protection in thirteen states.

Len’s Life Begins at Fifty: A Handbook for Creative Retirement Planning, published by Barron’s in 1989, is the longest-selling book on retirement planning (twelve years). He has additionally co-authored to two state retirement publications and edited other publications in the aging field.

Len Hansen has been recognized, quoted and/or featured as an expert in books, including: Age Wave: A Strategic Guide to America’s Fastest Growing Population by Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D.; Working Late: A Guide to New Work Opportunities for Older Americans and The Mature Market: A Strategic Guide to America’s Fastest Growing Population by Robert Menchin; Keys to Understanding Medicare by James Gaffney; and Retirement Development: A How-To Guidebook by Mark Fagan, DSW. He is also quoted as an expert in the mature adult field, journalism and communications in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report, Los Angeles Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, Advertising Age, AdWeek and other national and professional media. Len has also been interviewed by more than 200 talk and news radio and television programs, and served as the journalistic expert on aging on the weekly Newsweek San Diego PBS television program.

Hansen has also taught two years on the adjunct faculty in journalism at San Diego State University, and three years on the Extended Studies and Summer Programs faculty at Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado. His graduate school teaching at San Francisco State University was in television production. Additionally, he has served as guest lecturer in the aging or journalistic subject fields at more than 20 colleges and universities.

Len Hansen is a professional member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, The Society of Professional Journalists, National Press Club and National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the Journalist’s Exchange on Aging. He is listed, since 1979, in three editions of Who’s Who (Marquis),

Hansen received his Bachelor of Arts degree and did his graduate work for an Master of Arts degree at San Francisco State University. He is based in Bellingham, Washington.

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