October 2024 Behind the Scenes: Unveiling Our Team’s Passions
October 1, 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.
Daniel Andujar, Project Director
Meet Daniel Andujar, a dedicated Project Director by day and a stand-up comedian and comedy show producer by night!
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I am originally from Florida and spent most of my life in Jacksonville, where I grew up.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I get into a little bit of everything! I love to read, write, cook, play video games, practice martial arts, travel, engage in political theater, throw my cat in the air like a toddler, teach seniors to ride motorcycles, travel, and more. Oh and I also perform stand-up comedy and produce comedy showcases around Atlanta. Sometimes, people even attend these shows.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: My family and I are from Puerto Rico, and we are immensely proud of our rich cultural heritage. I still go back once a year to see family and enjoy some of my favorite cuisine in the world.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: I started in construction over 9 years ago as a commercial and industrial insulation mechanic and estimator. While I enjoyed working with my hands and being part of the construction process, Florida’s heat led me to transition into an air-conditioned office through estimating and project management. I was fortunate to start my career with The Hardy Group in 2021.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: While working on a large portfolio of select-service hotels, I led the exterior signage renovations for many properties. In 2023, we completed work on 74 sites with a total project value of $3.19 million, saving the client over $582,000 in subsidies from the brand. It was the first time I felt a real sense of personal accomplishment as a Project Director, boosting my confidence to continue growing in the role.
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
A: I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the hospitality industry. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to travel, and many of my most formative experiences happened around hotels and restaurants in new and exciting places. It feels great to play a small part in providing that experience to others. Additionally, The Hardy Group’s guiding principles of honesty, kindness, and professionalism resonate with my personal values. I’m proud to be part of this company and look forward to achieving more with this amazing team!
Q: Has there been a mentor in your life who significantly influenced your career journey?
A: I’ve had many great teachers throughout my career, but Nathan Hall deserves special mention. Before his promotion to Director of Operations, I worked directly under him, and he played a crucial role in helping me excel as a Project Director. I continue to learn a lot from Nathan, both personally and professionally.
Read more about Daniel, here.
Patrick Walker, Project Director
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.
Andrew Chew, Senior Project Director
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?
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.
Alexandra J. Malamud, Project Director
Meet Alexandra J. Malamud, a dedicated Project Director with a deep love for travel, having explored over 70 countries.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I was born and raised in New York City.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
A: I’m passionate about reading and solving crossword puzzles. I also love to travel, cook, and enjoy fine dining experiences.
Q:What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: Traveling has been a part of my life since childhood, thanks to my parents’ love for exploring. I’ve visited over 70 countries and hold dual citizenship with the Netherlands because of my Dutch mother.
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 NYC team always creates lasting memories during cultural enhancement activities. Whether it’s playing games at the Lawn Club, navigating an Escape Room, or participating in a painting session, these experiences are always memorable.
Q: How did you find your way into the hospitality/construction industry?
A: After working at Clune General Contractors, I moved into property operations at the Lexington Hotel, where I quickly became the Capex Manager, overseeing various construction and renovation projects. Joining The Hardy Group felt like the perfect blend of my experiences in both general contracting and hotel operations.
Q: What is a personal or professional achievement that profoundly shaped your life or career path?
A: My career in construction started unexpectedly. After graduating from Culinary School, I was working as an intern food writer and recipe tester at the San Francisco Chronicle when the 2008 recession hit, and I was laid off. I then took an admin assistant role with a general contractor specializing in restaurant renovations in San Francisco, which led me to a new career path in construction. Eventually, I brought those skills back to New York City.
Q: How do your personal passions aligns with the work we do at The Hardy Group?
A: As an avid traveler, I have a deep appreciation for well-designed hotels. I’ve noticed how crucial it is to combine hospitality expertise with practical construction knowledge to create and operate a beautiful hotel. Additionally, I value how these two industries are intertwined and measured globally as indicators of a country’s economic success.
Read more about Alexandra, here.
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