Honoring Kansas' Business Legacy, Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders

Kansas Business Hall of Fame

1995 Contemporary Winner

Paul H. Hensen

A native Nebraskan, Hensen spent the greater part of his business career working for numerous Kansas concerns. After earning bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska, he began his career in telecommunications with the Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company.

He joined United Telecom in 1959 as vice president and promoted to director in 1960, president in 1964, and chairman and chief executive officer in 1985. He served as chairman of United Telecom for more than 25 years, and retired in April, 1990. Henson was elected chairman of the board of Kansas City Southern Industries in 1990.

Hensen is a member of the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee and chaired that committee in 1989-90. He serves as director on the boards of several companies, including Armco, Inc., Duke Power Company, Hallmark Cards, Inc., United Telecommunications, Inc., and Ameribanc.

His civic and service activities include trusteeships on the Tax Foundation, the University of Nebraska Foundation, Midwest Research Institute, the University of Kansas City, and the Business-Higher Education Forum. He also is a director on the boards of the Kansas City Symphony and the Kansas City Minority Suppliers Development Council.