Hans grew up in the Comox Valley, graduating from Highland Secondary. He attended North Island College before transferring to the University of Victoria to complete his undergraduate degree.  He obtained a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Graduate Diploma in Korean language from Sogang University in Seoul before pursuing studies in law at Queen’s University.

A long road eventually brought Hans back to the Comox Valley in 2010 to practice law at Burger Smith and Urdahl.  Stops along the way include time spent living in Seoul, Vancouver, Kingston and Victoria.  In addition, many months were spent backpacking Europe and Asia, including an overland leg from Macau to Prague via the Trans-Siberian.

Hans traded travel for career and family, and is now comfortably settled in the Comox Valley.  Depending on the season, he can be found digging in his garden or reading a book.  Hans spent seven years on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, Vancouver Island North, stepping down in 2018.