HARDYPOND CONSTRUCTION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant Project Manager
Assistant Project Manager Amanda Whitcomb loves seeing clients happy with a project. After studying architecture at MassArt, Amanda spent ten years in Boston working on a wide array of projects - from public works and historic renovations to schools and fire departments. With her unique background in design, exacting attention to detail, and skill for making connections with people, Amanda is an asset in the field. She joined the Hardypond team for growth opportunities and to fulfill her goal of being a part of the Maine community.
Amanda grew up south of Boston and has been coming to Maine for years to ski and explore the great outdoors. She now lives in the West End of Portland with her boyfriend and enjoys exploring the foodie scene, the slopes of Sunday River, and all of Maine's hidden waterfalls and swimming spots.
April brings her analytical mind, strong attention to detail, and excellent communication skills to the Hardypond team as Controller. After working in the world of public accounting and finance, April was ready to bring her expertise to a new industry and was drawn to the interesting and intense world of construction. Inspired by Hardypond's female leadership and vision for the future, April saw an opportunity to grow in her profession as she supports Hardypond's growth as a company. She loves working with a team and finding creative solutions for the problems that arise. April works closely with Hardypond's Project Managers to not only manage the budget for each project, but to develop an understandable narrative for the financial information to support efficient communication for the team as well as clients.
A native of Maine, April now lives in Portland. Beyond her enjoyment of Excel spreadsheets and financial ratios, April also loves that her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license gives her an opportunity to constantly learn and continue her education. Before pursuing her Certificate in Accounting from the University of Southern Maine, April worked as a Park Ranger. She is an avid hiker, and has thru-hiked both the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. In her free time, she also enjoys paddleboarding, mountain biking, going to concerts, and barbecuing with family and friends.
Project Manager Ben Martin loves solving problems. For him, problems are opportunities to learn. Finding a growth opportunity with Hardypond, Ben joined the team and brings his commitment to communication and attention to detail to each project he works on. Organized and forward-thinking, he is adept at coordinating all of the schedules and on-site activities with vendors, subcontractors, and the Hardypond crew. Before joining Hardypond, Ben worked as a Superintendent focusing on historical renovations as well as a Project Engineer building large marine construction projects for the Navy Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC).
Originally from Berwick, Maine, Ben has a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Southern Maine Community College. He also has earned his OSHA 10, OSHA 30, and completed the Construction Quality Management (CQM) Training and earned his EM 385 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In his free time, Ben enjoys playing intramural sports such as volleyball and basketball, and Olympic weight-lifting. He lives in South Portland with his wife and their two dogs.
Project Manager Daphne Millay loves making people's jobs easier through streamlining processes and keeping her worksite organized. While working with Daphne, she will be your one contact for any questions you may have about your project.
Formerly an accountant with a B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration, Daphne joined the Hardypond team in 2002. Her prior career helped shape Daphne's keen analytical mind and aids her in estimating and managing project budgets. Having a former accountant as a project manager illustrates the core value of diversity that Hardypond appreciates, fosters, and views as one of the company's biggest strengths. Daphne retains her CPA certification.
When she's not on a worksite, Daphne enjoys snowboarding, golfing, biking, and volunteering with Maine Adaptive Snowboarding and Special Surfers.
Deirdre Wadsworth began learning the construction trade in third grade when her father, Bob Gaudreau, founded Hardypond Construction. Her summer breaks and weekends were spent working as a laborer/cleaner at construction worksites. By high school, Deirdre was driving dump trucks, hauling heavy equipment, and operating backhoes.
In 2006, after graduating with a BA in Economics from the University of Denver and completing a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA, Deirdre began working at Hardypond full-time. This was the first time she had experienced aspects of the construction industry not found on a worksite, such as blueprint design, meetings with architects, and the bidding process. After witnessing the life cycle of a project, Deirdre gained a comprehensive understanding of construction and decided she wanted a role in the family business. Deirdre took over as President for her father in 2015.
In addition to her undergraduate degree, Deirdre has an MBA with a focus on Sustainability from Green Mountain College and is a LEED Accredited Professional with a Building Design and Construction credential. Her construction upbringing, coupled with her academic experience and certifications, has given Deirdre more construction and construction business experience than most her age. She brings her wealth of knowledge and experience to every Hardypond project.
On a macro level, Deirdre loves overseeing all the parts that are necessary for successful construction to take place. Her affinity for managing the many pieces of the whole allows Deirdre to see the big picture, predict potential issues, and solve problems quickly and correctly when they happen.
On a smaller scale, Deirdre loves delving into the fine details of construction. Hardypond's renovation work, especially historic renovation work, presents unique construction obstacles. Much like her father, Deirdre enjoys figuring out how to overcome these obstacles and revels in the complexity construction offers. Operating this way throughout her lifelong construction career has given Deirdre valuable knowledge for solving any client dilemma.
Mainebiz recently selected Deirdre as a Women to Watch honoree, an award given to women business owners who are strong leaders in their industry and trail blazers in the Maine economy. Deirdre volunteers on boards for several nonprofit organizations, including New Ventures Maine, the Carroll County YMCA/Camp Huckins in New Hampshire, and Birth Roots. She is an avid skier, frequently participates in triathlons, and enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, and her black lab Tuckerman - the Hardypond mascot.
As Project Manager, Kevin is detail oriented and loves getting all the ducks in a row for a project. He has experience as an estimator for a subcontractor in the Boston area and a preconstruction associate here in Maine. Looking for growth opportunities in his career and to further his knowledge in the construction industry, Kevin joined the Hardypond team. He now doesn't only build estimates and budgets, he also assists in all aspects of Project Management for Hardypond's diverse range of projects. With a degree in accounting and a minor in economics, Kevin has a strong background in numbers that he applies to his current role.
Originally from Durham, New Hampshire, Kevin comes from a family of builders. He married his high school sweetheart and together have a baby boy. He now lives in Hollis and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. Kevin is an avid skier and loves to golf once the snow has melted.
Job Titles:
- Director of Construction Services
For over 7 years Mikel Garand has been helping Hardypond Construction run smoothly behind the scenes. Mikel has been involved in the construction industry for over 25 years, which gives her the organizational skills and tenacity to juggle the many priorities of Hardypond's busy office environment.
As Office Manager, she runs the company payroll, assists with accounting and filing, and oversees the benefits enrollment for the Hardypond team. Additionally, Mikel served as Hardypond's Safety Manager, running OSHA safety programs and trainings for all employees. From emergency procedures to on-site hazard analysis, Mikel's attention to detail and dedication to safety created a secure environment for Hardypond's employees and clients. She runs a tight ship!
At Hardypond, Mikel enjoys supporting a team of construction professionals who always work hard to get the job done and done right the first time.