Russ Hanser arrived at Amherst as a self-described nerd with big ambitions: maybe law, maybe journalism, maybe even director of the CIA. His liberal arts education sharpened his thinking and ultimately launched him into a career shaping telecommunications and technology policy at the highest levels.
Today, Russ serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Legal Officer of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. In this episode, he reflects on how early interests in politics and computers converged into a career navigating spectrum policy, AI governance, broadband access, and the future of connectivity. He also speaks candidly about carving out space to support not-for-profit organizations and navigating fatherhood through a divorce.
Highlights:
- How a high school computer nerd became a leader in tech policy, and the role of both skill and fortuity played in that outcome
- The policy debates shaping AI and why he’s an AI optimist
- The life challenges that redefined him as a father
- Why liberal arts thinking still matters in a tech-driven world
Russ also nominates the next classmates he’d like me to interview. If you’d like to connect with Russ, you can reach him at: rphanser@gmail.com.
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