Doug Greene is president of Hixson Metal Finishing in Newport Beach, California, a position he has held for over 20 years. HMF is a full service provider offering more than 80 metal finishing, testing, and inspection processes.
Doug GreeneHow did you get your start in the finishing industry?
As an engineering and maintenance manager 32 years ago.
What do enjoy best about the industry?
The cool factor of the parts we process and where they end up. Everything from jet fighter parts to some of the doors on Air Force One. We have parts at the bottom of the deepest oceans to Mars and even out of our solar system- super cool stuff!
Is your glass half full or half empty?
Neither. Two perspectives; from an engineering standpoint no glass is half full or half empty, the glass was sized incorrectly for the quantity of the liquid it is to contain. From a practical standpoint no matter what the substance in the glass, whether partial liquid or gas, the glass is always 100% full.
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
Only one thing, a genie to grant me three wishes.
What was your favorite subject in school?
Writing and oceanography.
What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
A raw abalone just pulled out of the ocean from a scuba diving trip- almost lost my cookies on that one!
Do you collect anything?
Exotic cars.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Depends on the situation. Sometimes I just prefer to lay back and not engage, but at other times, especially concerning business related items, I enjoy the interaction and most of the people involved.
Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
My sense of smell. I inherited it from my mom. Any time when I was young and our family and I would enter our house, my mother and I were the only ones that could smell if the pilot light went out on one of the back then, old style appliances with an open flame. We were smelling a very faint natural gas. Everyone else in the family couldn’t smell a thing.
What do you do to keep fit?
Walking and weightlifting. I have a home gym so during the Covid stuff I am able to still get work outs in.
Does your family have a “motto” – spoken or unspoken?
Yes, be a good human.
If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce?
Abolish the use, importation and possession of onions. Cant stand the taste or smell of those things.
What three things do you think of the most each day?
Work for sure and mainly what improvements we can make, my family and friends and I probably cant state the third one.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Warm to the touch.
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Donald Trump.
What's the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window?
Airplanes landing and taking off from John Wayne airport with the Pacific Ocean in the background.
On a scale of 1-10, how funny would you say you are?
Six or seven, but depends on if I had some wine or not, I think.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Same location in Newport Beach, CA, semi-retired but for sure not completely and hoping for some grandchildren.
What was your first job?
My first real paying job was at age 13 working at a house down the street of a neighbor. They were building a second story on there house and I was paid $0.25 an hour to be a helper. I learned a ton about construction that year.
How many languages do you speak?
About 1.2. English and a small amount of Spanish.
Who is the most intelligent person you know?
A good friend and colleague I used to work with over 35 years ago. His name is Glen.
What is one thing you will never do again?
Eat onions!
Who knows you the best?
My partner and best friend, my significant other.