Hagerman Construction

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.

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.

Jeff Hagerman’s fascination with construction started young, touring job sites alongside his father and grandfather. “I loved watching buildings go up, learning their intricacies, and—most importantly—seeing how they benefitted people once construction was complete,” says Jeff. Today, as the fourth generation to head up The Hagerman Group, Jeff provides strategic direction while focusing on client relationships and real estate development.

Quick to tackle challenges while keeping an eye on the big picture, he enjoys working in a dynamic industry alongside a talented team. “The best part about Hagerman is our people,” he says. “The ability to work with and learn from a diverse group of people makes it a lot of fun.”

Active in his community, Jeff is passionate about early childhood education, believing that “addressing today’s issues can prevent tomorrow’s problems.” Whether spending time with his young daughter or attending his high school son’s basketball and football games, he enjoys being part of his children’s growth. In addition, he likes spending time at the lake and traveling with family and friends.

“You learn a lot by seeing other cultures,” says Jeff. “You grow personally while gaining perspectives that can also benefit your corporation.”

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.”

When Thomas White was 8 years old, he enjoyed watching his family’s house—and the house next door—take shape. “Watching our house being built sparked my interest in construction,” he says. “Growing up, I always seemed to have a job in the industry. It has always been a part of my life.”

Thomas leads The Hagerman Group’s risk and safety management programs, creating training opportunities and policies that protect team members and the general public. “Helping people stay healthy and safe provides a good feeling and a sense of accomplishment, which helps drive me,” says Thomas.

Also, Thomas is driven by Hagerman’s culture. “When it comes to customer service, quality, and safety, we’re a top provider,” he says. Able to work on both large and small projects, Thomas enjoys the company’s adaptability, as well as its family-oriented atmosphere—important in the relationship-based business of construction. Through his role, Thomas combines his passion for the industry with compassion for others. “It’s important to listen and understand where people are coming from,” he says.

Thomas has two young boys and loves spending time with them. He can often be found outdoors, whether it’s motorcycling, hunting, fishing, or hiking.

Jeff Chrissikos’ interest in construction started when he was a child, inspired by the architects and engineers in his family and driven by his love of putting things together. In high school, he learned about the building construction management program available at Purdue University, and there was no turning back.

At The Hagerman Group, Jeff oversees the company’s estimating operations, from project bidding to budgeting. With experience that includes project management and business ownership, Jeff’s unique understanding of operations helps him fill in information gaps and create realistic budgets. He’s also certified by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering.

Focused and reliable, Jeff enjoys the opportunity to mentor and train Hagerman’s younger estimators and to work for a company with a rich history. “Hagerman’s longevity and legacy projects attracted me to the company,” says Jeff. “Our leaders give our people the autonomy to do their jobs and take ownership over their projects.”

When he’s not working, Jeff spends a lot of time with his eight children. He enjoys camping, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors with them, as well as riding his bike and lifting weights.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.