Joseph Hardy
Encyclopedia
Joseph A. Hardy III is the founder and CEO of the 84 Lumber
Company.
Joe Hardy was raised by middle class parents in the jewelry business, but the experiences of the Great Depression
taught him the value of hard work. To support himself in college, he sold fresh fruit door to door. After Hardy graduated from the University of Pittsburgh
with a degree in industrial engineering, he took the advice of a close friend and opened the Green Hills Lumber Company. After a few years, in 1956, Hardy joined his younger brothers, and together they opened a “cash and carry” lumber yard in the rural town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania
. Hardy liked the name of the small town and decided to name his new company 84 Lumber
. Because of his successful management of the company, 84 Lumber is now the 3rd largest home improvement chain in the United States
.Hardy does not heat his stores,much to the chagrin of his employees.
Hardy also developed the Hardy family-owned Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
. The resort features three hotels, including the new Falling Rock hotel and clubhouse, Woodland Spa, a Hummer
off-road course, a shooting academy, and multiple onsite restaurants. The resort is also home to the Mystic Rock golf course, designed by Pete Dye
, and home to the PGA Tour
's Eighty-Four Lumber Classic from 2002-2006. Hardy celebrated the 2004 Eighty-Four Lumber Classic extravagantly, providing the crowds with a concert featuring Rocket Star and Smash Mouth
.
In addition to his involvement in 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Hardy began a 4 year term in 2004 as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Fayette County
where he lives. Hardy is leading a multi-million dollar renovation of Uniontown
, the largest city in the county, donating millions of dollars to support street and building improvements and construction of green spaces. Hardy has received various awards from the local community for his charitable donations.
Hardy announced on Sunday, September 9, 2007 at a tailgate party at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort that he is backing out of the 2007 general election for Fayette County commissioner. Hardy finished first in vote getting in the 2007 primary for Fayette County commissioner.http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18800032&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
. With his second wife, Debra, he has two daughters, Taylor, and Paige. 84 year old Hardy married Kristin Georgi, a 22 year old salon employee at Nemacoln Woodlands Resort. Having agreed a pre-nuptial and wedding contract, the wedding took place on Saturday, May 5, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. On Monday, Aug. 20, 2007, Hardy filed for divorce, with the petition citing irreconcilable differences.
He has served on the Washington & Jefferson College
Board of Trustees.
Hardy has recently been quoted saying, "I want to die broke. For the remainder of my life, I want to enjoy and participate in the giving of money to help improve people's lives."
Hardy had a lavish 84th birthday party on January 6, 2007 at his Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
in Farmington, Pennsylvania
. Performers included Bette Midler
, Robin Williams
, and the cast of A Chorus Line
. Christina Aguilera
was on hand to sing Hardy "Happy Birthday", as well as "Beautiful". Hardy's tablemates included Pittsburgh Steelers
safety Troy Polamalu
, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell
, and former Pennsylvania Governor and former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge
.
84 Lumber
84 Lumber is an American building materials chain. 84 Lumber Company is the largest privately held building materials supplier to professional contractors in the country. Headquartered in the Pittsburgh Metro Area town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, it was founded in 1956 by Joseph Hardy...
Company.
Joe Hardy was raised by middle class parents in the jewelry business, but the experiences of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
taught him the value of hard work. To support himself in college, he sold fresh fruit door to door. After Hardy graduated from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
with a degree in industrial engineering, he took the advice of a close friend and opened the Green Hills Lumber Company. After a few years, in 1956, Hardy joined his younger brothers, and together they opened a “cash and carry” lumber yard in the rural town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania
Eighty Four, Pennsylvania
Eighty Four is a small unincorporated community mostly within Somerset Township in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies approximately 25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh and is in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area....
. Hardy liked the name of the small town and decided to name his new company 84 Lumber
84 Lumber
84 Lumber is an American building materials chain. 84 Lumber Company is the largest privately held building materials supplier to professional contractors in the country. Headquartered in the Pittsburgh Metro Area town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, it was founded in 1956 by Joseph Hardy...
. Because of his successful management of the company, 84 Lumber is now the 3rd largest home improvement chain in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.Hardy does not heat his stores,much to the chagrin of his employees.
Hardy also developed the Hardy family-owned Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
The Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is a resort in Farmington, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The resort is currently owned by Maggie Hardy Magerko, president of the 84 Lumber Company, and was founded by Joseph Hardy.-History:...
. The resort features three hotels, including the new Falling Rock hotel and clubhouse, Woodland Spa, a Hummer
Hummer
Hummer was a brand of trucks and SUVs, first marketed in 1992 when AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee. In 1998, General Motors purchased the brand name and marketed three vehicles: the original Hummer H1, based on the Humvee; and the H2 and H3 models that were...
off-road course, a shooting academy, and multiple onsite restaurants. The resort is also home to the Mystic Rock golf course, designed by Pete Dye
Pete Dye
Paul B. "Pete" Dye is a world-renowned golf course designer and a member of a famous family of course designers. He is married to fellow designer and former amateur champion Alice Dye.-Early life:Pete Dye was born in Urbana, Ohio...
, and home to the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
's Eighty-Four Lumber Classic from 2002-2006. Hardy celebrated the 2004 Eighty-Four Lumber Classic extravagantly, providing the crowds with a concert featuring Rocket Star and Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth is an American rock band from San Jose, California. The band was formed in 1994, and was originally composed of Steve Harwell, Greg Camp, Paul De Lisle and Kevin Coleman as lead vocals, guitar, bass and drums respectively...
.
In addition to his involvement in 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Hardy began a 4 year term in 2004 as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Fayette County
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area....
where he lives. Hardy is leading a multi-million dollar renovation of Uniontown
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Uniontown is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh and part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. Population in 1900, 7,344; in 1910, 13,344; in 1920, 15,692; and in 1940, 21,819. The population was 10,372 at the 2010 census...
, the largest city in the county, donating millions of dollars to support street and building improvements and construction of green spaces. Hardy has received various awards from the local community for his charitable donations.
Hardy announced on Sunday, September 9, 2007 at a tailgate party at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort that he is backing out of the 2007 general election for Fayette County commissioner. Hardy finished first in vote getting in the 2007 primary for Fayette County commissioner.http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18800032&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
Personal
Hardy and his first wife (for 50 years), Dorothy, had five children, the youngest of whom, Maggie, is now president of 84 Lumber84 Lumber
84 Lumber is an American building materials chain. 84 Lumber Company is the largest privately held building materials supplier to professional contractors in the country. Headquartered in the Pittsburgh Metro Area town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, it was founded in 1956 by Joseph Hardy...
. With his second wife, Debra, he has two daughters, Taylor, and Paige. 84 year old Hardy married Kristin Georgi, a 22 year old salon employee at Nemacoln Woodlands Resort. Having agreed a pre-nuptial and wedding contract, the wedding took place on Saturday, May 5, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. On Monday, Aug. 20, 2007, Hardy filed for divorce, with the petition citing irreconcilable differences.
He has served on the Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
Board of Trustees.
Hardy has recently been quoted saying, "I want to die broke. For the remainder of my life, I want to enjoy and participate in the giving of money to help improve people's lives."
Hardy had a lavish 84th birthday party on January 6, 2007 at his Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
The Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is a resort in Farmington, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The resort is currently owned by Maggie Hardy Magerko, president of the 84 Lumber Company, and was founded by Joseph Hardy.-History:...
in Farmington, Pennsylvania
Farmington, Pennsylvania
Farmington is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States along the National Road. It is situated about 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, and is the closest settlement to Fort Necessity...
. Performers included Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
, Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
, and the cast of A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line is a 1975 musical about Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. The book was authored by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante, lyrics were written by Edward Kleban, and music was composed by Marvin Hamlisch....
. Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
was on hand to sing Hardy "Happy Birthday", as well as "Beautiful". Hardy's tablemates included Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
safety Troy Polamalu
Troy Polamalu
Troy Aumua Polamalu is an American football strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He played college football at the University of Southern California.-High school:Troy Polamalu graduated...
, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
, and former Pennsylvania Governor and former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge
Tom Ridge
Thomas Joseph "Tom" Ridge is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives , the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania , Assistant to the President for Homeland Security , and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security...
.