David Hansen has managed Genfare’s implementation team since 2020, drawing on more than 20 years of implementation, sales, and customer success. In his new business development role, Dave will lead Genfare Link sales and account management for the Central Region. He’s excited to continue to partner with transit agencies to provide seamless, convenient, and equitable payment solutions for their customers. Read his employee spotlight to to learn more about Dave’s proudest moments at work, his belief in giving back, his great memories of taking public transit around Chicago, and his family’s deep appreciation for local paratransit services.
You owned your own business. What was that like?
I’ve always liked working with start-ups and emerging companies, helping to form the company, build a product or service that is a win for both company and customers, and create the process foundation that helps them grow. My wife and I owned a software consulting firm for 15 years. We ended up going from program management into project management and process engineering. We decided to close the company to focus on growing our family while continuing to enjoy the entrepreneurial spirit found in small companies.
You’re a computer scientist. How does that influence your work?
I started as a programmer and I like technology, but what really kept me interested in this career is being able to provide solutions and be a trusted partner to customers.
What attracted you to Genfare?
We were a smaller company taking on a big change from hardware to complete solutions for customers. Having the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller company with the backing of a larger company in SPX drew me in.
How have implementations changed since you joined Genfare in 2020?
The thing I am most proud of is the growth of the Genfare implementation team, the people on the team, and the customer successes that they have created. We’ve rapidly decreased the amount of time for an implementation and increased the quality via better processes and increased testing of the solution. It’s about becoming a trusted partner by understanding the business and working with the customer to create a solution that matches their needs.
What is one piece of advice you give your team?
I always tell my team that they’re going to learn the tools inside and out, not only from an engineering perspective, but from a customer use perspective. One of my greatest experiences is seeing how everyone on our team learns from our customers about how we can improve our solutions. Then they bring that knowledge back to Genfare, and others in the company can approach them for ideas and answers.
How do customers react when they first get access to real-time fare data?
It’s been fun to watch customers who are transitioning from old-fashioned reporting systems to our Genfare Link cloud-based reporting. An exciting thing — for our customers and for us — is the ability to have accurate data easily accessible in one place in the cloud. It’s a more robust way for agencies to use their data for solutions.
You can see the possibilities start going through the customer’s mind as they begin to realize all of the new things they’ll be able to do. We help them think about “the future that could be” with these new reporting capabilities.
What is an example?
Agencies really like being able to understand ridership at specific times on specific routes and then use that data to optimize routes to address real-time needs.
What’s exciting about modern fare payment options?
Equitable mobility is a big one. I love providing solutions that allow people to pay with whatever is in their pockets. And I love our fare capping model — that’s when riders don’t have to pay for a monthly pass up front. They pay a set amount and they’re able to realize benefits if they ride often enough.
You say that public transit has touched your life. How so?
Chicago-area paratransit services has provided my eldest son, who uses a wheelchair, the independence to access essential services and the ability to enjoy life’s simple joys. For a time, he required transportation to appointments due to lack of availability of wheelchair accessible vans. He and my wife or his caregiver counted on Pace Suburban Bus paratransit services to attend appointments or travel around town to visit shops or restaurants.
How did that service impact your family?
The dedication and kindness of the Pace paratransit operators left a lasting impression on our family. They made traveling during all weather, especially Chicago winters, easier and attainable for someone in a wheelchair.
What features does Genfare provide for paratransit riders?
We have implementations that use Open Link validators, and the mobile ticketing application with visual validation is another option for agencies that provide paratransit.
Tell us about your Chicago transit memories!
I grew up in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and live in nearby Elmhurst today. I have used Chicago transit from my teen years to the present day to ride to Cubs and Bears games, the beaches, and festivals all around Chicago. I’ve also used public transit for jobs and customer visits throughout my career. My son, who now lives in Chicago without a car, counts on the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) daily.
Would you like to share a little about your family life?
We are very involved with our church. My wife Kathy is a busy church administrator. She is also on the board of UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago, which is a charitable not-for-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities in metropolitan Chicago and beyond. The organization not only provides day programs and job training and placement; they also provide residential homes for adults with special needs. My father, Al, is 90 and lives nearby, so we get to spend time doing things like golfing together.
What are your grown children up to these days?
Kathy and I have three adult children. They include my 33-year-old eldest son. He has special needs and is now living independently in a UCP Seguin home near us. My 27-year-old daughter works in human factors for GM in Detroit, helping to ensure cars are designed for people with all abilities. Her career was partly influenced by her older brother. My youngest son is 24 and he works for AON in Chicago as an actuary.
With your children out in the world, what’s next for you and Kathy?
We are getting back into golf and discovering new experiences, whether that be short weekend trips or finding new, exciting places in Chicagoland to explore. I also love to fish. But mostly, we’re all about experiences and time with our family. What is more important than that?