When Ryan Hatten was a young boy, his grandfather and father (who started Paragon Sanitation in 1976) allowed him to work on their routes with them. He remembers all the fun they had and knew that he wanted to go into the family business when he grew up. He is now proud to say he is a fourth generation garbage hauler in the city of Lincoln. He follows in the footsteps of his great grandfather, grandfather and father in the family business while his mother and wife work in the office.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Being able to gain respect from my industry peers and customers, through my hard work, dedication and commitment to serve in our community.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have been married to my lovely wife Melissia for 14 years this August. My oldest daughter Olivia is 11, and really enjoys playing select softball for the Lady Dominators, and soccer for the Extreme soccer program. My youngest daughter Berkley is 6 years old, and loves to dance, play soccer, t-ball and is very excited to start kindergarten this year.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Finding out that my father was diagnosed with cancer. It makes a person realize that it’s important to slow down, and enjoy your family and friends every day.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I love spending time with my girls and going to the Henry Doorly Zoo. I also enjoy getting the opportunity to play golf with friends.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – Back in high school, I used to be in the swing choir. If you ask my kids or wife, I can’t sing or dance.
What are you the most proud of? – Personally it would be my family, and being a paratrooper in the 1-134th Long Range Surveillance Detachment. Professionally it would be our family business surrounded by our great customer driven employees.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – One of the golden rules…do unto others (customers) as you want others to do to you.
What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish? – To be as successful in the family business as my father and grandfather.
How would your friends describe you? – Hard working, caring, man of integrity, gullible, and funny.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I am a professional nap taker. I wish that I could utilize this a little bit more.
Which talent would you most like to have? – To be able to cook things from scratch.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? – To be more organized in my daily life.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell
What is your favorite movie? – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
What is your favorite TV show? – Kitchen Impossible
What is your favorite Lincoln restaurant? – LaPaz, Ruby Tuesday, Granite City, Old Chicago, Famous Dave’s
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Harry Niederhaus, my grandfather, he was the greatest famous person that I know.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 475-8360, Ryan Hatten @ Linkedln, Ryan@ParagonSan.com, www.ParagonSan.com