American businessman Joe Hardy is the founder and CEO of the 84 Lumber Company who has an estimated net worth of 41.2 billion. He holds a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation, he founded the Green Hills Lumber Company. In 1956, he joined his younger brothers to open a cash-and-carry lumber yard in the rural town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania. He named his new company 84 Lumber since he liked the name of the small town.

Joseph A. Hardy III was born January 6, 1923. An ambitious entrepreneur at a very young age, he has been successful in managing the company. Since then, the company has grown to be the third largest home improvement chain in the United States.

Mr. Hardy has also developed the Hardy family-owned Nemacolin Woodland Resort that features three hotels including Falling Rock hotel and clubhouse, Woodlands Spa, an off-road driving academy, and several onsite restaurants. It also has the Mystic Rock golf course which was designed by Pete Dye. It was the home to the PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic from 2002-2006.