L. Hall Hardaway Jr., BE’57 was honored at the Build Tennessee Awards banquet of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of Associated General Contractors (AGC) for his lifetime service, commitment and dedication to the local construction industry and community November 12, 2009. The prestigious AGC SIR Award is the highest honor an individual can attain within the association and the construction industry. The award takes its name from the AGC creed, “Skill, Integrity, and Responsibility (SIR)”.
This award is reserved for individuals who have made a substantial contribution by honorably serving the construction industry and the community while exemplifying “Skill, Integrity and Responsibility” in all of his or her endeavors. The recipient was determined by the AGC board members.
Hardaway graduated from the School of Engineering in 1957 with a degree in civil engineering and began working in his father’s firm, Hardaway Construction. His father, L. Hall Hardaway Sr., started the company in 1924. In 1959 the commercial and residential construction sectors were split into Hardaway Construction Co. and Cumberland Builders Inc. By 1986 Hardaway had led the company into a new era as it grew to the Hardaway Group, with more than 1,000 employees. Affiliated companies include Cumberland Builders Inc. and Hardaway Realty Inc. In the family tradition, Hardaway’s children have all become involved with the business.
Hardaway became a member of the Vanderbilt Board of Trust in 1990. He has also served as president of the Nashville Vanderbilt Club. He was a steering committee member during the Campaign for Vanderbilt and is a Shape the Future campaign committee member for the School of Engineering.
Hardaway’s willingness to serve and to lead goes well beyond Vanderbilt. He has been president and director of the Nashville chapter of Associated General Contractors and director of numerous construction organizations, including the Construction Specification Institute, Nashville Contractor’s Association and the Tennessee Associated Builders and Contractors.
He has also served on the boards of Sovran Bank, Dominion Bank of Middle Tennessee, Nashville City Bank, and Citizens Bank of Hendersonville. Hardaway is also a past member of the Board of Governors of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. Other affiliations include Davidson Academy, First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, and Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee Inc.