What began 19 years ago as a business interest for seasoned broadcast entrepreneur Rodney Alan Hansen grew into an abiding love for the Cayman Islands that was nurtured through broadcast television.
When two local businessmen with broadcast licences contacted him in California, Mr. Hansen contributed both the expertise and financing that enabled cable television in particular, to take root in Cayman. For 30 years, he had built cable companies in several US states, as well as France and Bermuda, but it was Cayman, where he is now a citizen, that captured his heart.
The Wisconsin native and ex-US Marine eventually bought out three licensees, merging CITN and CTS operations to provide free–to-air broadcasts and cable through Westar TV Ltd and Television Centre.
The company’s free-to-air broadcast provides all three islands with entertainment, information and education through live news coverage – both local and international.
But television coverage of local events has forever changed how residents interact and prepare for natural disasters such as hurricanes. And Mr. Hansen’s company has not only kept pace with Cayman’s continuing political maturity but has also promoted it. Since 1996, people watch the country’s general elections live.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, his team produced a documentary titled 36 Hours which raised $2 million together with CITN’s telethon for the Cayman Islands National Recovery Fund. The community also benefits from fund-raising events promoted by his station, including the National Council of Voluntary Organisations and the drug rehab centre.
Yet Mr. Hansen’s positive impact goes even further. His leadership has helped establish significant social projects such as the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards Foundation that honours character and hard work, producing leaders and role models for younger generations.
Also, the station’s Heart Smart Health Week focuses on healthcare and raises money for both the Cayman Islands Hospital and CI Heart Fund. Similarly, the annual Christmas for Kids programme raises funds for the Department of Children and Family Services.
He has also launched the Rod Hansen West Star television scholarship, providing an annual US$ 10,000 grant to Caymanian students studying communications. The first recipient is a full-time employee in his company; the second is currently studying in the US. His next venture, Mr. Hansen says, will be upgrading to a fibre optic network to better serve Cayman.
