Thomas Hardiman Biography

Thomas E. Hardiman, Sr. is considered by his peers to be one of Detroit’s most dynamic business leaders.  Reared by his mother and stepfather on the North end of Detroit, Thomas learned early on the value of being prepared to take hold of your own destiny.  His stepfather, who he considers his hero, guided him through his tough teenage years with a sense of understanding and commitment not commonly shown by today’s fathers. As with many African American families, his grandmother, Tom’s rock, also played a pivotal role in his upbringing.  She instilled in him a sense of pride, self-respect, purpose and social conscientiousness.

Tom graduated from Detroit's Northern High School. Shortly after graduating, he married his high school sweetheart, Gloria. Four years and three children later, in 1974 he joined the city's Fire Department. One year afterward, Tom was laid off. Finding himself with a wife and three sons to take care of, Tom set out on a mission to re-invent himself. He enrolled at Wayne State University where it took him 12 years to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Ironically, it was the same institution where his future business partner was attending graduate school. Their paths later crossed, leading to Hardiman's partnership with Avinash Rachmale, founder and CEO of Lakeshore Engineering Services, Inc.

When the two partnered, it was a confluence of experience, professional expertise and social conscience that furthered their success and set Lakeshore Engineering Services apart from other firms. The success of Lakeshore Engineering placed Tom in a better position to more actively and effectively fulfill his purpose and mission to serve the community, give back and help others achieve success.

With his desire to create a company for his sons, and to generate jobs for Detroiters, Tom purchased A & H Contractors, Inc. in 2003. He serves as the President of A & H, a full service construction firm serving both the private and public sector.

Providing resources and guidance to local entrepreneurs and small businesses, establishing a job training program and employment opportunities for young men and women unable to find decent paying jobs, identifying and partnering with companies to hire individuals trained through the job training program, and creating opportunities for smaller businesses to grow and develop have been Tom's priorities. Tom has stated that he knows he cannot be a savior to everyone, but he wants to do everything in his power to make a positive difference in as many lives as possible.

Tom is actively involved in several community, non-profit and professional organizations. He is a member of Greater Christ Baptist Church, on the Boards of North East Guidance Center, Jefferson East Bus Assoc., Metropolitan Growth Corp., and Juvenile Assessment Center. He is a member of the Wayne State University Alumni Association, the Society of Military Engineers, and Life member of the NAACP.

He is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Lakeshore Economic Coalition, the nonprofit arm of Lakeshore Engineering Services in Detroit, Michigan. The goals and objectives of LEC are focused on providing goods, services and job training opportunities for the underserved and low-income citizens who reside in Detroit's North End and the adjoining communities of Highland Park and Hamtramck.

He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2010 Who's Who in Black Detroit, "Men to Watch", 2009 Men of Excellence Honoree, New Times Media Award. Tom is most proud of the Spirit of Detroit and the Living Legend Award he received from the Detroit City Council. Tom is committed to the revitalization of the City of Detroit and will continue doing whatever he can to provide the resources and support to individuals, businesses, and community organizations in the city.