By: Alex Winson

The Oklahoma Mindset: A Foundation of Independence

Jay Hanan’s origin story kicks off in Oklahoma City, where he was born in the ‘70s and shaped by the state’s unique spirit. It’s where you breathe in self-reliance with every gust of wind. “You don’t necessarily know what ‘normal’ is when you assume you’re normal,” Hanan reflects on his childhood. Growing up, his surroundings were often simply the outdoors, but that’s where the magic was.

Oklahoma is the kind of place that fosters independence. A disproportionate number of innovators, creatives, and influencers come from there, from early aviators like Will Rogers and Wiley Post to Gordon Cooper – an astronaut.  While neighbors are generally friendly, when they are a mile away, you have a sense that you need to fix or do things yourself. Whether it’s the blend of rural sensibilities or the deep-rooted Native American heritage, the culture taught Hanan early on that “You may have to take care of things on your own because there’s not an overabundance of people around.”

This way of life, steeped in taking action and figuring things out, wasn’t just a childhood experience—it became the bedrock of his approach to innovation.

Early Signs of a Brilliant Mind

Looking back, Hanan’s problem-solving abilities were displayed before he could even walk. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Show me the child at 7, and I’ll show you the man,” right? Well, Hanan’s parents didn’t need that much time. He was outpacing adults in complex puzzles while still in diapers.

“When I look at things, I see the puzzle pieces, and I put them together rather quickly,” Hanan recalls. That early talent for recognizing patterns would become his superpower, guiding him through a career where out-of-the-box thinking is the currency of success.

Here’s the kicker: his home life was the perfect training ground for this skill set. His mother, an artist, actor, and pianist, gave him an appreciation for creativity and beauty. At the same time, his father, a self-employed general surgeon, sparked a curiosity for science and how things work. Hanan didn’t just grow up with two parents; he grew up with two creators. “My dad and grandfather grew their businesses and still prioritized family.  They took me hunting, for example, and my mom played piano,” he remembers. “My loving parents were both creators in their own ways.” Not surprisingly, this emanated from generations prior, such as his grandfather, who had taught him to build, solder, and how electronics work. “One of my memories of my grandfather is him jesting about the ‘invention’ of the electron, which happened in his lifetime,” Hanan recalls. 

The Road to Innovation

You don’t become a visionary overnight. Jay’s journey wasn’t a lightbulb moment—it was more like a series of breakthroughs, each building on the last. In school, he found himself in a special program for gifted kids. This program encouraged students to go deeper into topics they found fascinating, and for Hanan, that meant everything from nuclear submarines to art, electronics, and engineering. That deep dive set his brain on fire and unlocked the hunger for learning that still drives him today.

He didn’t stop at school. In high school, Hanan took Advanced Placement (AP) classes in physics and chemistry, giving him a head start in college. This early jump into complex subjects laid the groundwork for his future work in materials science, including nuclear physics—where he had the surreal opportunity to witness Cherenkov’s radiation. This phenomenon had captivated his imagination. Not surprisingly, later on, you could find Hanan taking college classes that were not required for his degree, such as entrepreneurial development or advanced classical guitar.

Visionary Thinking and Future Focus

Here’s where most people get it wrong: they think visionaries constantly plan out every little detail of their lives. Not Hanan. He’s got a different approach. He’s not obsessing over a rigid 5-year plan. Instead, he’s more opportunistic—ready to seize doors as they open rather than forcing a linear path forward.

“I think about the future, but I don’t overplan. I’ve thought, ‘By 80 years old, I want to have achieved XYZ.’ But planning five years out? Do it, and expect the unexpected when opportunities often come out of nowhere,” Hanan admits.

And that’s a key lesson right there. Flexibility. Because guess what? Some of the most game-changing projects he’s worked on weren’t things he planned for years in advance. They resulted from seizing the moment when unexpected opportunities came his way.

A Legacy of Innovation

Among the numerous accolades, Hanan cites his work on lightweight and efficiency for Niagara Bottling as one of his most significant. It wasn’t just about growing a business’ market share or making a product better—it was about doing those things while making a global impact. His team’s work reduced waste, optimized production, and had a huge environmental ripple effect. This is how Hanan measures success—not just in numbers but in legacy.

And here’s what keeps him grounded: he’s not done yet. “There’s so much I have left to do,” Hanan says. The man is a visionary, but he’s also just getting started. Among other areas, he’s got patent pending inventions in the medical field and sustainability—areas he believes will have an even bigger long-term impact than he’s done so far.

Jay Hanan’s story is a blueprint for anyone who wants to innovate, build, and leave a lasting mark on the world. From the Oklahoma plains to the forefront of technological innovation, his journey proves that when you combine creativity, curiosity, and a sense of independence, there’s no problem too big to solve.

The takeaway? Be flexible. Be curious. Never stop learning because you never know which small opportunity will lead to your significant breakthrough.

Published by Jeremy S.