July 2024 Behind the Scenes: Unveiling Our Hawaii Team’s Passions Continued
July 16, 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.
Stacy Ellefsen, Project Director
Meet Stacy Ellefsen, an experienced Project Director, Oahu native, and sports enthusiast!
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I was born and raised in Oahu, Hawai’i.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I enjoy spending time with my family, trying out new recipes, and watching sports and crime/mystery shows.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I have a passion for sports. I loved playing volleyball, basketball, softball, bowling, and canoe paddling, however, I don’t often play any sports. Instead my husband and I attend the University of Hawai’i Men & Women’s volleyball and baseball games.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: One of my cherished personal achievements is raising my children. The journey of parenthood has been immensely rewarding, filled with countless moments that have made me a better person. My children have been my greatest teachers, imparting invaluable lessons in patience, gratitude, and creative thinking. Their boundless curiosity and unfiltered creativity have encouraged me to approach problems with an open mind and to find innovative solutions. They have also taught me that the most profound achievements are often found in the relationships we nurture.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: I found my way into Project Management when a friend recommended a position with the first Project Management firm in the State of Hawaii. It has been quite the exciting adventure since.
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 most meaningful moment is visiting the Atlanta office annually for the company meeting to build relationships with new team members and reconnect with seasoned professionals. It fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and a feeling of being a part of a work family. These moments contribute not only to my professional growth but also to an overall sense of belonging within the company.
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: I owe so much of my career success to the invaluable lessons and examples set by my mother and grandmother. Their unwavering loyalty, dedication, and work ethic have been my guiding principles throughout my professional journey. They taught me what it means to be a committed and reliable employee and to always show up with integrity and a strong sense of responsibility. Their influence has shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
A: Sports and Project Management share several similarities in terms of strategy, teamwork, and achieving goals. In sports, individuals with diverse skills must collaborate seamlessly to achieve victory, much like the diverse talents within a project team working towards a common goal. Leadership is crucial in both scenarios, with coaches or Project Managers guiding their teams, making critical decisions, and inspiring peak performance.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Hawaii and/or Hawaiian culture?
A:One of the most important traditions close to my heart is hosting family and friends every year for Thanksgiving, where we deep fry several turkeys, and for a Christmas Eve potluck dinner. We play Christmas-themed games, but most of all, we cherish catching up and discovering what everyone has been up to over the past year.
Read more about Stacy, here.
Eduardo Limon, Senior Project Director
Meet Eduardo Limon, a dedicated Senior Project Director, self taught pianist, sailor, and sports car fanatic!
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I am originally from Mexico City.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I love music, playing the piano, sailing, regatta sailing, and sports cars.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: When I was 10 years old I taught myself how to read sheet music and play the piano. I’ve been playing ever since and can’t pass a piano without stopping to play it.
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
A: Design and construction are very much like music. The Project Managers are the conductors, and every discipline plays their part. If we play together and do our jobs the results are amazing. The same thing happens in Sailing, communication is critical, and there must be a clear chain of command. You must keep a level head even in the most critical of times and consistently convey confidence to your team. When things happen, they happen fast and everyone is looking at the Project Managers to solve the issue. It is essential to stay calm, figure out a plan and communicate to your team clearly.
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: My first week on the job was one of the most meaningful moments so far. I went from not knowing anyone to feeling like I had a family in just a few days. I am truly blessed to work with such an amazing group of people. We’ve shared many meaningful moments, both good and bad, and we are each other’s support system, leaning on each other every day.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: One of my most significant professional achievements was renovating 40 hotels in 2 years for Felcor. I was told this had never been done before. While it was an incredible accomplishment, I don’t think I ever want to take on a project of that magnitude again.
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: One of my mentors was the VP of construction at a former firm. Known for being very strict with design, he ruled the job site by fear. At first, we clashed a lot, but over time, he came to trust me, and we both learned a great deal from each other. We eventually became very close friends, and he was the best man at my wedding.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: I joined the hospitality industry by accident. I come from an architectural background, so construction and design have always been part of my career journey. I started working with interior designers in the field helping organize and coordinate drawing sets and developing construction drawings. The more I worked in hotels, the more I enjoyed what I was doing. I am grateful to be part of the hospitality industry, it has given me the opportunity to travel all over the world and meet incredible and talented professionals.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Hawaii and/or Hawaiian culture?
A: Pau Hana is very important in Hawaii. It literally means “stop work”, it’s a time to get your head out of the day to day, and look at people as just that… people. It’s a time to smile, have fun and build trust. In Hawaii you “talk story” and learn about what people hold dear and what makes them tick. It’s a time to turn acquaintances into accomplices and laugh together. It’s very difficult to be rude to people when you’re face to face and being able to break bread and enjoy each other’s company builds trust that you rely on when solving issues. It’s a very optimistic way of learning to work with each other despite differences and is how everything gets done on the islands.
Read more about Eduardo, here.
Carly Di Mattia, Senior Project Director
Meet Carly Di Mattia, an experienced Senior Project Director and Hawai’i native, passionate about languages and embracing the beauty of the islands.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I’m originally from and currently live in Kailua, Hawaii.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: Having grown up in an ocean-centric family, I have continued this lifestyle. I enjoy swimming, surfing, and paddling canoe, particularly along the shores of Kailua Bay. I also love exploring Hawaii’s diverse landscapes. From the black sand beaches of Pololū Valley to the pristine white sands of Polihale, these islands offer endless wonders to discover.
Q:What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I lived and worked in Shanghai, China, for two years, where I became fluent in Mandarin Chinese and developed a passion for learning new languages. Currently, I’m dedicated to studying Hawaiian and Italian, embracing the journey of being a lifelong student.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: A friend of mine recognized my genuine curiosity and passion for learning and noted qualities in me that he believed would be well-suited for the hospitality and construction industry. I am grateful for his insight, as it provided valuable direction during a time in my mid-twenties when numerous career paths were possible. Pursuing a career in project management has proven to align well with my personality and strengths.
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 significant moments of my tenure at The Hardy Group occurred in 2015, when I was appointed as the Project Coordinator for the Four Seasons Lāna’i at Manele Bay. My responsibilities included overseeing two extensive general contractor teams, managing hundreds of laborers, a large team of consultants, and adhering to a rigorous project schedule. Through our collaborative efforts, we successfully transformed the resort into one of the most bespoke and highly sought-after destinations in the Hawaiian Islands.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Hawaii and/or Hawaiian culture?
A: There are many beautiful Hawaiian traditions, but one that holds special significance for me, especially in connection to the work The Hardy Group does in Hawaii, is the blessing ceremony at the conclusion of a project. This practice involves blessing the space and acknowledging the collective efforts of everyone involved, providing a moment to reflect on the hard work and collaboration that made the project possible.
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