November 2024 Behind the Scenes: Unveiling Our Team’s Passions
October 31, 2024
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.
Peter Speth, Director of Special Projects
Meet Peter Speth, Director of Special Projects, whose nearly three decades with The Hardy Group have given him unparalleled insight and experience in the industry.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I was born in Oak Park, IL, and my early years were spent in northern Indiana and the Chicago suburbs. Life took me to New Jersey and Texas, but in 1985, I found my home in Atlanta, where I’ve lived ever since.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I’ve recently reignited my passion for reading, particularly diving into the rich history of World War II. I enjoy reading about the people of that time, from Winston Churchill to those who went behind enemy lines knowing they were likely never to return. Recently, my wife and I have begun traveling again, including wonderful trips to Japan and Scotland within the past year.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: Research on ancestry.com revealed that I might have an ancestor who was born in this country in 1665—a fascinating discovery that adds a layer to my family history!
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
A: My career has always been driven by a desire to craft unique, inspired solutions to complex challenges. At HARDY, I’m constantly presented with opportunities to exercise my problem-solving skills, making the work not just a job but a true extension of my passions.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: One of my most defining moments came when The Hardy Group took over a challenging project from another firm. Despite all the obstacles, we managed to deliver it on time and within budget. This experience taught me that success often emerges from chaos, and sometimes, victory is about resilience.
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: I cherish the nearly three decades spent with the bright, driven, and fun-loving team at The Hardy Group. They consistently inspire me to bring my best to the table every day, making the journey as rewarding as the successes we achieve together.
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: Two of my professors in college had a significant impact on my professional trajectory. One studied the structure of gothic cathedrals and demonstrated how art, architecture and engineering could be interconnected. The second analyzed significant engineering structures such as the Eiffel Tower and the Brooklyn Bridge. He showed how they had a profound impact on society and were an inspiration to artists.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: My journey into the hospitality industry began during my architecture days when I was assigned to a hotel project. The client’s representative happened to be John Hardy himself! One hotel led to another, and before I knew it, I was deeply entrenched in the world of hospitality, where I’ve found myself ever since.
Read more about Peter, here.
Patricia Chamorro, Project Director
Meet Patricia Chamorro, a Project Director and native New Yorker with over 15 years of experience in the industry.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: : I was born and raised in Staten Island, New York.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I love traveling, walking, and playing soccer with my family. Especially with my 3½ year old daughter, she loves to run around and kick the ball and say, “Mami, I kicked it really hard, and I made the goal”. I enjoy swimming. During my four years in high school and briefly in college, I competed before shifting my focus to the Architecture Program. Recently, I also had the chance to go skydiving, which was an incredible experience. It’s the most thrilling and adventurous thing I’ve ever done, and I am excited to do it again soon!
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I started singing at the age of 12 at my church choir. My Aunt and Uncle introduced me to music, singing and harmonizing songs which helped me to come out of my shell a bit. Occasionally I still get nervous of course, but love singing.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: I believe the construction industry found me as I was working at the NY Public Library for approximately 6 yrs from high school into 2 yrs of college. A family friend introduced me to the industry which led me to discover more interesting fields of construction and design. My first construction site project was two Loft Condominium buildings located in Long Island City NY, and through that I continued my career in construction. After that I was introduced to Hospitality Construction, and I knew this was my field to learn and grow the design from start to finish.
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: My mom has always been the most influential mentor in my life. She has shown my brothers and me that no matter what challenges we face, it’s essential to keep moving forward and strive for excellence—all while maintaining a positive attitude and a smile.
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 my proudest moments was working on the JW Marriott Desert Ridge project, where we completed the Pools Project while simultaneously wrapping up the Restaurant Renovation. It was the first time I managed two complex projects concurrently, and the experience was incredibly valuable. The second moment, which is still in progress, to be completed at the end of this year, is the Hyatt Regency Greenwich project. Our internal team has an incredible about of knowledge and I am grateful to be working alongside them.
Read more about Patricia, here.
Roger Speth, Project Director
Meet Roger Speth, a dedicated Project Director from Georgia with a background in operations and a love of the outdoors.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I am originally from Dunwoody, GA, the home of HARDY headquarters!
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I enjoy sports and anything outdoors; hiking, kayaking, camping, and hunting.
Q:What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: Interestingly, I am almost fully ambidextrous, although I’m still working on mastering handwriting and throwing.
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: Seeing everyone at our annual meetings! Most of the team members I work closely with are either in separate offices or onsite at various projects.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: My dad (who had been with the Hardy Group for 25+ years) saw that I had reached the ceiling in my previous career. At the time, he mentioned looking into The Hardy Group as a possibility in completely changing professions and getting introduced to the hospitality/ construction industry. Once the timing was right and the opportunity presented itself, the rest was history.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: Reading the book ‘What Color is Your Parachute’. It helped me put the pieces together in finding out what I am best at and what I enjoy the most.
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: Absolutely! Nathan Hall, Hardy Group’s Director of Operations, was my Project Executive the past 4 years before transitioning to a new role within Hardy. He has been instrumental in teaching me most of everything I know and has helped tremendously in carving out my career path.
Read more about Roger, here.
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