The Hagerman Group

With parents who owned a mechanical contracting company, Brad Smith grew up in a construction family. “Around the dinner table, I heard all about the industry,” he says. “I loved the hands-on nature of the business and naturally followed that path.”

Responsible for all work performed by the Fort Wayne office, Brad has been with The Hagerman Group since starting as an intern in 1998. Since then, he has spent time in every department, giving him a thorough understanding of Hagerman’s core business.

“I had goals early on and was encouraged to pursue them,” says Brad. “At Hagerman, if you have an idea, you’re given the freedom to explore it. That culture has been passed down through the generations and is why so many people want to work here.”

When it comes to construction, Brad enjoys both the projects and the people and can see opportunities from multiple perspectives. Whether it’s fostering internal culture or strategizing with a client during preconstruction, Brad loves meeting with people and interacting with different personalities.

Outside of the office, Brad likes hunting and spending time with his family. A natural teacher, he has coached since graduating college and currently coaches travel baseball and basketball.

Community causes

Church, Junior Achievement Board of Directors, Ducks Unlimited, and organizations that support children

When Bruce Molter was 13, his parents decided to build a home, and Bruce and his father—a frugal farmer—did most of the work themselves. “I remember sitting on the roof thinking, ‘this is the coolest thing,’” he says. At that moment, Bruce—who had planned to become a farmer—decided he’d work construction in the off-season. “That all changed when I graduated from Purdue and got into commercial construction,” says Bruce. “It got into my blood, and I loved it.”

At Hagerman, Bruce focuses on operations and business development, all in line with the company’s vision. “I love the relationships we generate and being a trusted service provider,” he says. A reliable leader who has been with Hagerman for 30 years, Bruce enjoys being of service to employees and giving back to the industry.

In addition to his involvement in multiple organizations, Bruce is a passionate supporter of many causes, including Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, Riley Children’s Foundation, and the Parkinson’s Foundation.

A father and grandfather, when Bruce isn’t spending time with family, he loves landscaping and yard work. Also, he cheers on the Cubs, Bulls, Bears, and Blackhawks, having grown up north of Lafayette.

Community causes

Serves on the Board of Directors for the Construction Family Assistance Foundation and the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation and is a member of the Fishers Plan Commission and the Indiana Subcontractors Association GC Council

While taking accounting classes in high school, the subject matter came easily to Melanie King. “I decided to pursue my accounting degree and set a goal to be a CFO eventually,” she says. She met that goal at The Hagerman Group, where she oversees the company’s financial aspects, from day-to-day accounting to overall strategy. Also, Melanie is responsible for the information technology and human relations departments.

Melanie’s role gives her the opportunity to apply her experience in construction finance while staying up-to-date on the latest regulations and trends. “The Hagerman Group has a great environment,” says Melanie. “It allows me to bring my skills, perspectives, and ideas to the table, yet I’m also always challenged to learn something new.”

Hardworking and positive, Melanie is passionate about empowering the next generation of women. “It’s important for girls to know they can do whatever they want, not just the traditionally female-oriented professions,” she says.

When she’s not working, Melanie enjoys whatever interests her daughter. “Right now, it’s swimming,” she says. “We also love to travel and have new and exciting experiences.”

Community causes

Board of directors:

Indiana CPA Society

Executive Women in Finance

Noblesville Swim Club

Volunteering:

Girl Scouts

Indiana CPA Society

Missy Hoover joined The Hagerman Group after spending two decades on the architecture and engineering side of the design and construction process.

“I used to be able to see the vision of projects, but it’s great to be on the construction side and witness them being built,” she says. “It’s rewarding to see the final result.”

Focusing on marketing and branding of The Hagerman Group both internally and externally, Missy enjoys “communicating with clients, bringing new ideas, and drawing on her relationships and experience to benefit the company.”

She appreciates the growth opportunities Hagerman provides to its team members. “People can advance in their careers quickly if they prove themselves,” she says.

Missy is committed to being active, whether it’s doing an “Insanity” session with workout buddies at the office or signing up for clean-up days for OneZone. She’s also a supporter of the American Cancer Society—a cause important to her because cancer runs on both sides of her family.

When she’s not in the office, Missy is happiest on the beach. “I love to go to Florida with my husband,” she says. “I love the sand and sunshine.”

Community causes

American Cancer Society, OneZone, and Newfields.

Tim Norton enjoys many aspects of masonry—his top-notch team, the physicality of construction, and the skills required when working with brick and stone.

“Masonry is an art form, and I have a passion for it,” says Tim. “It’s fulfilling to create an excellent finished product for the customer and knowing it’s something that will last.”

From estimating to project management to field operations, Tim directs and manages efforts related to Hagerman’s masonry division. Positive and upbeat, he constantly challenges himself and his team members to think differently, because “it’s important to understand what our customers are thinking and see things from their point of view.”

Tim appreciates the long history of The Hagerman Group and its focus on clients. “Our vision is, ‘Building a Better Future,’ and that’s evident in all we do,” Tim says.

Tim supports multiple organizations that promote the masonry industry. When he’s not working, he enjoys riding his motorcycle and running.

Community causes

Mason Contractors Association of Indianapolis

Indiana/Kentucky Structural Masonry Coalition

Indiana Mason Contractors Association Board of Directors

When Jay Bangert was in elementary school, his father was a custom home builder in Fort Wayne, Ind. Jay often went to projects with his dad on Saturdays to help clean the sites. As Jay grew up, he spent summers during his high school years working a different trade to diversify his background knowing he would attend college for design and construction. “At the time, I thought I wanted to be an architect or engineer. My father always told me that I should know how to build before I could design.” Jay distinctly remembers the summer before his junior year in high school when his friends would ask him to hang out at night, but Jay had to decline so he could go to sleep early and be on the job site by 6:00 a.m.

As he entered college, Jay was still undecided about whether he wanted to pursue design or construction. “Every time I thought I had my mind made up, another opportunity would present itself and I’d get to experience another side of the A/E/C industry.” As fate had it, Jay’s professor connected him with an internship to The Hagerman Group in Fort Wayne, and within a few weeks of working there, Jay knew that building and construction was his passion.

When it comes to construction, Jay enjoys working on complex projects and developing solutions for them. He really enjoys working with an integrated team and creating personal relationships with everyone on the team. “It’s fun to sit around the table with your operations team and the design team to work on a solution and see it come to fruition”. One of Jay’s strengths is his relationships—he creates friendships wherever he goes!

Off the clock, Jay enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. His family enjoys boating, sailing in the Caribbean, and being anywhere coastal. Jay enjoys all sports; especially ice hockey. Music is another one of Jay’s guilty pleasures. His office at Hagerman resembles a tropical vacation due to the island tunes playing loud and proud.

Community causes

Town Hall Building Corporation President for the City of Fishers
St. Vincent Foundation
Indianapolis Sailing Club
Indiana State Healthcare Engineers
American Society of Healthcare Engineers

LA Lakers’ “Magic” Johnson. Singer and actress Vanessa Williams. Former United States Secretary of Housing Jack Kemp. These are just some of the people Rob Young met during his broadcasting career.

That experience—combined with his work in economic development—enhances Rob’s role at The Hagerman Group, from knowing how to gather information for news stories to negotiating incentives and selecting project sites.

Focusing on opportunities in the Fort Wayne area, Rob knows business development is a team sport. “I enjoy the collaboration needed in pre-construction, construction, and post-construction services,” he says. “I’m still amazed at what goes into a successful project. It’s fascinating, challenging, and requires constant teamwork and communication.”

A driven individual, Rob is passionate about what makes Hagerman different. “We never stop learning, innovating and serving our customers. It’s a great mix and has served us well.”

A father and grandfather, Rob spends a lot of time with family. “My wife, Mary, and I have two great kids who are doing well in their careers and lives,” he says. Rob is particularly interested in issues facing public education, having married into a family of educators. A native of Detroit, he’s also a supporter of several sports teams in Michigan.

Community causes

Economic development committee work and numerous organizations related to helping kids and animals.

After graduating from Wabash College with a BA in Psychology, Kevin was heavily interested in pursuing a career in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.  “I got a postcard in the mail from a graduate school that had a master’s degree program in Human Resource Management, which sounded a lot like I/O Psychology,” Kevin says. “I didn’t know much about HR at the time, but the prospect of focusing on the people side of an organization was attractive to me.”

Kevin has served as an HR partner in the manufacturing, healthcare and construction industries since obtaining his MHRM in 2001. “I like construction because it’s tangible and permanent. It’s just great to be able to point out projects to family and friends knowing that I had some small part in its creation.”

Kevin focuses on both big picture strategy, as well as the creation and facilitation of programs to recruit, retain, engage and develop team members.

Kevin, his wife and 2 children enjoy playing board and video games together and going on annual camping/shopping trips with their friends.

Community Causes

Youth sports, Girl Scouts of America, Good Samaritan Network, Cancer Research

Sarah Walker’s interest in continuing education began at a previous company when she transitioned from accounting to corporate sales and training. “I found I loved educating people to address their challenges,” she says.

Sarah applies this passion to The Hagerman Institute, Hagerman’s educational and training platform. Considering team members’ professional, technical, and personal development, Sarah works to understand their needs and create programs that support their growth.

“The Hagerman Institute is a unique benefit The Hagerman Group provides,” says Sarah. “When a company invests in education, it says a lot about how they value their people.”

Approachable and determined, Sarah strives to provide colleagues with the knowledge they need while helping them feel empowered. “The most gratifying part is seeing the light bulbs going off,” she says. “It’s fulfilling to see people finding enjoyment and relevance in the topics.”

Sarah also leads educational programs that engage The Hagerman Institute with the next generation—important strategies given the labor shortage in the construction industry.

When she’s not at work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and their three girls. “I enjoy being a homebody,” she says.

Community causes

Church and anything that has to do with children or animals