Lyon College will welcome back Ron Hanks (pictured above), a 1998 graduate, for a special presentation on his career in television and film. “The Art of Producing: Behind the Scenes with Ron Hanks” is set for Thursday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. in the Maxfield Room on the first floor of Edwards Commons on the Lyon College campus at 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville.
Missy Speer Gipson, a 1999 Lyon alumna, will moderate a question-and-answer session with Hanks following the presentation.
Originally from Little Rock, Hanks has built an impressive 30-year career in the entertainment industry. He is currently the producer for “Joseph Rosendo’s Steppin’ Out,” having filmed two seasons of the PBS show. Hanks has also been the showrunner and director for three seasons of “Chef Swap at the Beach” on the Cooking Channel.
Throughout his career, Hanks has produced six feature-length films, including two for Lifetime and two for Tubi, and directed the feature-length movie “After the End.” He has also produced six short films and three short-form television series. Most recently, Hanks served as a producer for “Guy’s Chance of a Lifetime” with Guy Fieri on the Food Network. His 2018 series “Broken” was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Hanks’ portfolio includes producing the broadcast of Billboard’s Women in Music awards, along with Billboard News for the Billboard Music Awards and the Latin Music Awards. He also produced interstitials for Amazon Prime’s broadcast of Pharrell’s “Something in the Water” festival in Washington, D.C., in 2022.
In the commercial sector, Hanks has directed and produced spots for companies such as Budget Blinds and the high-end perfume company Amaffi. Additionally, he boasts over 45 on-screen acting credits, including 10 national commercials. He was most recently featured in the romantic comedy “Peak Season,” released in 2024.
Hanks and his wife, Elizabeth, reside in Los Angeles, where they are raising their two young sons, Riley and Everest.
Cindy Barber, executive director of alumni engagement at Lyon College, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming event.
“We are incredibly proud of Ron’s achievements in his television and film career,” Barber said. “His dedication and creativity are truly inspiring, and we are excited to welcome him back to campus to share his experiences with our community.”
The free event is open to the public.
Image provided by Lyon College
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