July 2024 Behind the Scenes: Unveiling Our Hawaii Team’s Passions
July 1, 2024
Discover the heartbeat of our company with an exclusive glimpse into the diverse talents and personalities that drive our success in Hawaii. Get to know the faces behind the innovation in our “Meet Our Team” feature.
Jessica Ogasawara, Project Director
Meet Jessica Ogasawara, an experienced Project Director, Hawaiian cuisine connoisseur, and expert Fantasy Football player!
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I was born in Japan and raised in Hawaii.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I enjoy playing golf, traveling, taking reformer pilates classes, cooking, and shopping.
Q:What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I started playing Fantasy Football during COVID for fun, and I ended up winning the championship in my league that year. I won again in 2022 and still play in the same league with my friends.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: Living and working abroad for a few years profoundly shaped my life and career. This period taught me valuable lessons and provided experiences beyond the classroom. I became more proactive, humble, curious, and motivated to explore different career paths. Trying new things is risky, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: Switching from education to hospitality eight years ago has significantly shaped my career path. During a brief stint in Japan, I learned about hotel operations, which opened multiple opportunities when I returned home. I gained experience in condominium operations, real estate development, construction management, and eventually worked for a developer specializing in new build to post-construction projects. These roles have led me to my current position as a Project Director, overseeing all project phases.
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: The Hardy Group welcomed me warmly, and the incredible mentors, colleagues, and resources made my transition smooth. The annual company meeting in Atlanta was a memorable experience, allowing me to connect with team members from all over the country through engaging trainings, delicious meals, and a fun golf outing!
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: My previous supervisor greatly influenced my career journey. She helped me become an effective communicator, held me accountable, kept me humble, and ensured I stayed organized. My previous role was heavily client-facing, often dealing with challenging issues at the end of projects. Her unwavering support during tough situations helped me endure difficult days. I aim to bring the same energy, work ethic, and team camaraderie to my HARDY team.
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
A: I am passionate about learning new skills, gaining valuable experience, and client satisfaction. The work we do at The Hardy Group provides me with the opportunity to challenge myself and engage with many key players in the industry.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Hawaii and/or Hawaiian culture?
A: My favorite part about living in Hawaii is the local cuisine and how easy it is to share Hawaiian culture through food. When I moved away for a few years, I missed dishes like kalua pig, poi, lomi salmon, spam musubis, Zippy’s chili and macaroni salad, poke, and shave ice. These local favorites are often enjoyed at potlucks, beach outings, hikes, and various gatherings.
Read more about Jessica, here.
Alan Levy, Senior Project Manager
Meet Alan Levy, a dedicated Senior Project Manager and accomplished artist that has exhibited his work in Honolulu, Maui, Greece, and South Korea.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I am originally from Los Angeles, CA and have been living in Hawaii for 36 years.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I enjoy gardening, carpentry, and creating art.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: For over 20 years, I have been creating art prints, including monoprints, lithographs, intaglio, and woodcuts. My artwork has been exhibited in Honolulu, Maui, Greece, and South Korea.
Q:Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: My first boss in construction management had a special talent for working through issues with clients and subcontractors in a way that resulted in a win/win situation. Over the last 40 years, his approach has been a constant inspiration and influence for me.
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
A: My passions to create, learn, and solve problems are completely aligned with the work I do every day at The Hardy Group.
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: A memorable moment for me was after our entire Hawaii team took the red-eye flight to Atlanta for the annual company meeting. We were all exhausted but decided to go to breakfast together at the Flying Biscuit. Initially, I wasn’t excited, but as soon as the food arrived, I started to have fun. We were laughing about the flight, and sharing food. Whether it was the magic of southern biscuits or the camaraderie, it felt like being with family. Experiences like that make me feel lucky to be part of such a special team.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: When I was about 19, I worked as a grinder in a metal shop with no chance for advancement, even after becoming a certified welder. One Friday night at a pizza place, I overheard a guy asking his friends if they knew anyone interested in a carpentry job. I approached him and said I was interested. He asked if I had any experience, and I said no. He told me to show up at the site Monday morning and not be late. I showed up on time and have been involved in construction ever since.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: After high school, I began working as a carpenter, but after five years, I craved a more challenging role. While working full-time, I enrolled in night courses and earned a construction estimation certificate, eventually obtaining a degree in construction management. My education is one of my greatest achievements and it set me on a career path that is challenging, fulfilling, and offers continuous learning opportunities.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Hawaii and/or Hawaiian culture?
A: Aloha is the most meaningful Hawaiian tradition for me. The open-heartedness, sincere concern, respect, and appreciation that embody aloha often appear in unexpected moments. For example, Ledward Kaapana, a Hawaiian slack key legend, playing his guitar for people waiting in a crowded airport boarding area; or a stranger in a drugstore parking lot handing me fresh daikon, beans, and beets from his garden and refusing any payment. Even young people we don’t know call me “Uncle” and my wife “Auntie.” It’s wonderful to live in a close-knit community where strong connections are a way of life.
Read more about Alan, here.
Leslie Tyson, Project Director
Meet Leslie Tyson, a seasoned Project Director, Hawaii native, self-proclaimed bird rescuer, and nature lover.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I am a 4th generation Japanese-American that was born and raised in Hawaii.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I enjoy nature hikes, snorkeling, picnics, K-dramas, traveling, delicious cuisine, reading, and learning about new things like languages, software programs, AI, and more.
Q:What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I have soft spot for birds and have rescued and hand-fed many hatchlings that fell from their nest or were abandoned. I have been spotted chasing a feral baby chick to reunite with its mother and stopping traffic to pick up a fallen baby bird in Downtown Honolulu.
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: We all work hard on our respective projects, so when we get together outside of work, we get to know each other as individuals. This social aspect enhances our work relationships by helping us understand each other better. Despite having specific roles, I appreciate that we treat each other as equals.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: It’s challenging to pinpoint a single specific achievement because each project and job I’ve worked on has contributed to my career journey and shaped me into the professional I am today.
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
A: I find project management work extremely satisfying. I enjoy the whole process of forming a team, coming together on a desired objective, and working through challenges. It sparks creativity and there is always something new to learn and grow from.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: I partially credit my decision to enter the hospitality/construction industry to my father, who owned a plumbing company. Additionally, I’ve always enjoyed the challenges of project management, and over time, this focus has led me to specialize in the hospitality/construction field, where I’ve gained over twenty years of experience.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Hawaii and/or Hawaiian culture?
A: Expressing “Aloha” is vital to me as someone who was born and raised in Hawaii. It can mean hello, goodbye and love, but there is a deeper underlying nuance to those definitions. Aloha is the courtesy you extend to the community and the people around you. It is the respect that you show for the diversity in cultures and traditions from the melting pot that is Hawaii. Aloha is shown when you allow a car to merge in front of you, when you hold the elevator for that person still making their way, when you never show up emptyhanded when visiting someone. Expressing “Aloha” is what is vital to me as someone who was born and raised in Hawaii.
Read more about Leslie, here.
Ryan Marzzarella, Managing Director - Hawaii & West Coast
Meet Ryan Marzzarella, the Managing Director of the Hawaii and Los Angeles offices, fueled by a passion for travel, creation, and construction.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I am originally from Florida.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I enjoy watching baseball, golfing, traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with my fiancé and our two French Bulldogs.
Q: Could you share a brief and interesting fact about yourself?
A: I have been living and working in Hawaii and California for over 10 years and I haven’t been surfing yet but I am excited to try some day soon!
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: Sometimes it feels like I was born into it, but I love building things and I think hotels are the epitome of cool. I’ve worked on offices, shopping centers, apartments and houses, but nothing is as rewarding as creating the places people want to go and the places they want to stay at.
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: Groundbreaking blessings are always meaningful when I attend them. Typically, by the time we reach the groundbreaking of a project, we have spent months or even years preparing for it—working through challenges and the design and permitting processes. While the blessing and groundbreaking symbolize the beginning of the project to everyone else, for our team, it marks a major milestone. I always feel a deep sense of pride for our team that has dedicated so much effort to make it happen.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: I’ve been fortunate enough to work on remarkable projects throughout my career, but having worked on 5 of the 8 Hawaiian Islands is something I take a lot of pride in.
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors throughout my career, and I make a conscious effort to learn from each one. Many people have taken me under their wing but the most significant influence on my career is my father, Rocky. From a young age, he brought me to jobsites, where I began learning practical skills long before college and my first official job. Even today, it’s reassuring to have someone so close to me I can turn to for advice.
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
A: I have a passion for creating and building. There’s nothing like the transition from a construction site to a finished project. I also enjoy traveling, and it is fulfilling to create spaces that guests will appreciate for years.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Hawaii and/or Hawaiian culture?
A: In Hawaii, there is something called “malama ʻāina”, which means caring for and honoring the land. As Project Managers, we must ensure the team is respecting the past while pushing to make things better for the land and the kama’aina. Hawaii has a beautiful yet complicated history that we need to be mindful of and It’s critical to be respectful of the island.
Read more about Ryan, here.
More Highlights
Pacific Business News Architecture Report: Q&A with Ryan Marzzarella
The Hardy Group Announces Nathan Hall as New Director of Operations
June 2024 Behind the Scenes: Unveiling Our Team's Passions
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May 2024 Behind the Scenes: Unveiling Our Team's Passions
