Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Hanks. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
David, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Growing up on a farm in Morven, Georgia, I learned very early from my parents that hard work and perseverance would bring personal success. At 13 years old, my mother disappeared from her workplace in Valdosta, Georgia. Her remains were discovered 8 years later by two brothers clearing trees from their farmland. The loss of my mom that early in life was devastating to our family both emotionally and financially. Because my father was forced to focus on putting food on our table, my two sisters and I worked through our psychological anguish on our own. Of course, as a teenager I made many mistakes, but joining the US Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program wasn’t one of them. I remember how important it was for my mom to guide me through my childhood issues, while working full time and running our family farm. Her toughness gave me a lifelong model in resilience to follow.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Among the recipients of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), I held an International Nuclear Safeguards Inspector post at the IAEA in Vienna, Austria, for several years. My seasoned experience in international nuclear nonproliferation and expertise in the operation of nuclear power plants provides a unique insight into the nuclear thriller series I’ve written about an inspector named Carson Griffin. Now living in Augusta, Georgia, I have published several technical documents related to international nuclear safeguards and wrote The Disappearance, a novel based on my mother’s disappearance in Georgia in 1972.
Writing a nuclear thriller series felt very comfortable to me during plot development, exploring possible nuclear terrorism scenarios, and using technical jargon that the lay reader understands. Before working for the IAEA or becoming a Senior International Nuclear Safeguards Analyst for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, I worked in the main control room of a large nuclear power plant as a senior reactor operator. That experience, along with U.S. Nuclear Navy training, provided me with detailed knowledge of nuclear power plants which helped me describe events more clearly in the series. Of course, because of my top-secret clearance, my manuscripts are reviewed by the intelligence community before being published.
We are currently working on a film called Eight Years which is based on The Disappearance, and we are in the “pitch” phase of production. C. Neil Davenport (Camp Hideout) is a gifted writer and has developed a script that was awarded a Laurel at the Austin Film Festival in Texas this year. You may find a synopsis here: https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt15238110/details.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Developing a strong work ethic is essential in becoming successful. Decide early on what career you most want to pursue in order to focus the majority of your efforts in achieving your lifelong goals. Albeit essential to spread your spare time in hobbies that provide you with distractions from time-to-time and personal enjoyment.
Resiliency is earned like a badge of courage. Criticism from others may be painful but learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.
Establishing leadership within a company, organization or extracurricular activities takes training and practice. Become the person that brings innovation to the table and don’t be afraid to fail.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m looking forward to connecting with other folks to collaborate with on our film, Eight Years. Based on my novel The Disappearance; the movie is a true crime story of the impact a murder has on a young man during his teen years and while maturing into a nuclear machinist in the US Navy.
We would like to find a production company that would be interested in producing a high-quality movie with wide distribution. The project is in the pitch phase of production, so we’re also hoping to attach respected actors and a director that will help us make a film that will be dedicated to my mother’s memory.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.davidhhanks.com
- Other: https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt15238110/details
https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/video/on-the-case-with-paula-zahn-investigation-discovery-atve-us/a-hole-in-their-hearts
Image Credits
On the Case with Paula Zahn
