Discover the heartbeat of our company with an exclusive glimpse into the diverse talents and personalities that drive our successes. Get to know the faces behind the innovation in our “Meet Our Team” feature.
Meet Patrick Walker, a Project Director who enjoys golfing, traveling, and cooking!
Q: Where are you from originally?
A:* I was born in rural Missouri and grew up in San Jose, CA.*
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A:* In my free time, I’m an avid golfer and I captain a local golf organization. I also enjoy traveling and cooking.*
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A:* In 2011 while backpacking, I completed the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, accomplishing the rare feat of both swatting a bull and finishing in the Plaza de Toros.*
**Q: **How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
**A: **The work we perform at The Hardy Group is extremely fulfilling in a multitude of ways. It captivates my passion for travel, enjoyment of creating memories for others, and utilizes my best professional skillsets.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: I completed by MBA with a higher GPA than I’d recorded in high school or college. It was during that time that I recognized, when pursuing something that aligns with your vision and goals, we are capable of higher success and the drive to pursue excellence comes naturally.
Q: Could you recount one of the most meaningful moments you’ve experienced with your team members during your tenure at The Hardy Group?
**A: **There’s a tremendous amount of trust and belief in one another at The Hardy Group. Each time I’ve joined a project team, there is an immediate integration into the project because we all have confidence in one another to deliver an equal standard of performance. That kind of belief is empowering and encouraging.
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: There have been many professionals who have impacted my life. Clark Rothey left a lasting impression on my journey; he was my trainer and mentor at the Breckenridge Resort. It was his commitment to encouraging me to better myself every day, to put success in my hands, and dedication to being passionate about one’s work in whatever path they choose. It changed the way I saw myself and the outlook I’ve had on every step of my career since.
**Q: **How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
**A: **I started my career in the hospitality industry in 2011 in Breckenridge, CO, then onto The Boulders Resort in Scottsdale, before completing my MBA. My motivation was to transition to real estate development side of the industry after being in operations. I joined a general contractor that worked in luxury hospitality and custom building and blended it all together when I joined HARDY in 2023.
Read more about Patrick*, here.*
Meet Andrew Chew, a passionate Senior Project Director who thrives on staying active and enjoying the outdoors. In 2014, he took on the challenge of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail!
Q: Where are you from originally?
A:* I am originally from Athens, GA.*
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. My main hobbies include mountain biking, rock climbing, snowboarding, backpacking, woodworking, and gardening.
Q:What is a fun fact about yourself?* *
A: In 2014, I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, which had a lasting impact on me. It taught me to embrace discomfort, and now I even enjoy hiking in the rain, sometimes to the chagrin of friends and family.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: I grew up with a passion for construction and design, influenced by early exposure to building projects. After earning a degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on construction management, I naturally transitioned into the AEC industry, and my interest in hospitality was solidified when I joined The Hardy Group.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?****
A: One of my proudest achievements was purchasing and renovating a home with my wife that had been vacant for 13 years. Despite working full-time, we completed the renovation in just 42 days for $11,000, turning it into a wonderful place to grow together as a family. Some of the renovation highlights included new windows, new water supply lines, patching holes in the walls and ceiling, tiling the kitchen, refinishing the floors, painting, and various other odds and ends.
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
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A: My dad, who was an industrial arts and technology teacher, has been the most significant influence on my life. He introduced me to building and designing at a young age, which shaped my career path.****
Q: Could you recount one of the most meaningful moments you’ve experienced with your team members during your tenure at The Hardy Group?**
****A: **One of the most meaningful moments was working with the Program team during a two-day kick-off meeting. We successfully reviewed the renovation budget and CapEx projects for all 152 projects in the program, solidifying the relationship and setting the stage for success.
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?**
**A: **My personal passions align closely with the work at The Hardy Group. I’ve always been deeply interested in art, design, construction, sustainability, and development, and these interests drive both my professional work and personal projects.
Read more about Andrew, here.
