Joseph A. Hardy, III
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Joseph A. Hardy, III
Joseph A. Hardy III is a true American success story, rising from a college student selling home-grown vegetables door-to-door to becoming the Founder and CEO of what today is the largest privately owned building materials supplier to professional contractors - 84 Lumber Company.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with an Engineering degree, Joe quickly became the top-producing salesman for the family's Hardy & Hayes jewelry company. Yet, at the age of 31, and with the burning desire to build his own business his own way, Joe left Hardy & Hayes. At the suggestion of a friend, Joe looked into the building materials supply business and opened Green Hills Lumber.
A few years later, Joe pooled his resources with his two younger brothers and a friend to purchase a tract of land in the rural town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania. There, in 1956, he opened a 'cash and carry' lumber yard focused on professional home builders in the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Joe liked the sound of the name of the small Washington County town and decided to name his new business, 84 Lumber Company.
Today, the company maintains its corporate headquarters in Eighty Four, where the original store continues to operate and grow. The company hit the $1 billion sales mark in 1994, in 2002 sales topped $2 billion and in 2004 the $3 billion sales mark was shattered. With more than 500 stores, 19 component- manufacturing plants, and 10,500 associates nationwide, 84 Lumber sets the standard for service to the professional contractor market.
In addition to 84 Lumber Company, Joe founded Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, one of North America's premier resort destinations. The lavish Mobil Travel Guide 4 Star resort features three hotels, including the new Falling Rock boutique hotel and clubhouse, the internationally acclaimed Woodlands Spa, 36 holes of golf on the Links Course and the Pete Dye designed Mystic Rock - home of the PGA TOUR's 84 Lumber Classic - a clays Shooting Academy, Equestrian Center, Hummer off-road course, and 15 on-site restaurants and lounges among a multitude of amenities.
A full-time resident of Fayette County, Hardy’s business experience and desire to help Fayette County create a better business and economic base to create more jobs and a better tax base prompted him to run for a seat as a Fayette County Commissioner in 2003. Hardy was elected and began serving his term as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Fayette County in 2004.
Taking the lessons learned over 48 years as a successful private businessman, Joe has been at the forefront of the revitalization of downtown Uniontown under the George C. Marshall Plan II. Among the many renovations were the beautification of streetscapes, small parks, razing of dilapidated buildings, and rehabilitation of existing buildings, including the historic State Theater and the addition of 12 new businesses. These businesses will serve as the catalyst for more retail and economic development in the area.
Milestones:
- 1952 - Joe opens Green Hills Lumber
- 1956 - 84 Lumber Company is founded in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania
- 1971 - 84 Lumber records $84 million in sales
- 1973 - 84 Lumber opens the 84th store in Denver, Colorado
- 1982 - 84 Components, 84 Lumber's manufacturing division, is opened
- 1987 - Joe purchases Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a former hunting lodge, at a bankruptcy sale
- 1992 - Joe promotes his daughter, Maggie Hardy Magerko, to President of 84 Lumber Company
- 1994 - Yearly sales top the $1 billion dollar mark for the first time
- 1998 - For the second consecutive year, 84 Lumber is selected as Largest Pro Dealer by Home Channel News
- 2002 - 84 Lumber tops $2 billion dollars in sales
- 2003 - Joe brings the PGA TOUR to Nemacolin for the first annual 84 Lumber Classic
- 2004 - 84 Lumber tops over $3 billion dollars in sales
- 2004 - Joe Hardy begins four-year term as Vice Chairman, Fayette County Board of Commissioners
- 2005 - 84 Lumber is recognized at #14 of the 100 Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania
- 2005 - 84 Lumber raises more than $2.7 million for charity, including over $1 million for hurricane Katrina relief
Recent Awards:
- 2004 Fayette Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year
- 2004 B’nai B’rith International Community Achievement Award recipient for outstanding distinguished character, dedicated leadership and outstanding civic involvement
- 2004 Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropist of the Year Award recipient for outstanding community leadership and monetary contribution, through personal funds, to the restoration of downtown Uniontown
- 2004 Washington County Community Foundation Philanthropist of the Year Award recipient for charitable donations, including: California University of PA, Children’s Hospital, United Way of Southwestern PA, Washington & Jefferson College, 84 Baseball and Softball, and Washington County Food Bank
- 2004 Home Channel News Golden Hammer Award recipient, which honors top manufacturers, marketers and retailers
- 2005 Fayette County American Legion Citizen of the Year
- 2005 Penn State Fayette Advisory Board Outstanding Fellow Award
- Communities of Salt & Light Award in Philanthropy