Prism Controls is proud to announce a new era of leadership as Eric Hansen steps into the role of President!
Eric is not a newcomer to Prism Controls or to the challenges of modern poultry management. He’s a familiar face who has been integral to the company’s innovation for over three decades. This new chapter marks a pivotal step for Prism Controls, promising a future that balances cutting-edge technology with a deep commitment to the practical needs of the farm floor.
From Self-Taught Coder to Product Visionary
Eric Hansen’s journey with Prism Controls began 33 years ago, not as a career path, but “sort of by accident.” As a self-taught coder with a passion for computer science and mathematics, he was instantly hooked by the level of automation he saw in early poultry farms and a sense of purpose knowing that he was able to make a difference.
Eric Hansen (far left) with Prism Controls Team (then PMSI) in 2009
His career progression was swift and driven by a hands-on desire to solve problems. Starting in high school with early IT tasks, Eric quickly leveraged his programming expertise to become a regular software developer. This led to his leadership of the software team, and eventually to the role of Director of New Product Development.
It was in this capacity that he led the development of pivotal systems, including the foundational Command III controller. This period of his career forged his skill for creating robust, maintainable, and purpose-built technology for farm needs.
A President with Thousands of Hours in the Barn
What truly sets Eric apart is the unparalleled, practical experience he brings to the executive office. As Eric puts it, “I don’t know how I would do it if I hadn’t spent so much time in barns, processing plants, and with the customers.”
His commitment to customers was proven long before he held a leadership title. Starting around 2006, Eric was frequently traveling for commissioning trips and emergency calls, often working through the night to tackle complex system failures and ventilation tuning issues.
This dedication was so well-known that for some customers, having Eric personally handle the final system installation was non-negotiable:
“I would be requested, and in a few instances customers wouldn’t even sign if I wasn’t the one doing the commissioning.”
This deep history of direct customer interaction is the foundation of his leadership philosophy. Growing up on a family farm instilled a strong work ethic, and his career has been fueled by the desire to help hardworking people: “I really liked helping people who work hard… have an easier day at their job.”
He stresses that his drive comes from the practical daily work of helping farmers. His time spent in countless poultry houses troubleshooting, collaborating, and listening has given him an intuitive understanding of the industry’s needs.
Steering the Company by Customer Feedback
Under Eric’s direction, Prism Controls is committed to strengthening the partnerships that have defined our best relationships. He recognizes that while the previous era focused on hardening the internal processes, the future requires a renewed focus on direct communication.
Eric’s core message to our customers is one of partnership, responsiveness, and consistent innovation:
“I think I’m good at listening… When people sugarcoat an issue, I usually hear it as a big problem… I’m confident that [tight partnerships are] going to come back… If we give them a better forum to inform us as to how we can do it better, we’ll be able to do it better. If that’s not the right direction, I don’t know what would be.”
The message is clear: Prism Controls will be actively listening and steering innovation directly by customer feedback.
Eric Hansen brings the technical knowledge of a chief engineer and the on-the-ground reality of a field technician to the role of President. We are confident that with his leadership and his unwavering commitment to meeting with customers and getting into barns, Prism Controls remains the right place to get the control technology you need to feed the world.
