Hassenflu received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. After working at Price Waterhouse in Dallas, he earned his CPA certificate. He began his real estate career with the Trammell Crow Company in Houston, starting as a leasing agent and resigning as a senior managing director and member of the Retail Investment Committee.

Hassenflu is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Urban Land Institute, where he serves on a Retail Council. He is a current or past member of numerous corporate, educational, non-profit, political, municipal and civic boards and committees, and is a former councilman for the City of Southside Place. He and his wife, Cherie, have two grown sons.