Gerad Hardy

As an Instructor of Management at the Millsaps College Else School of Management, Gerad Hardy is an engaging academic who draws upon more than 25 years of experience leading and developing award-winning teams and successful business strategies. 

Before entering academia, Professor Hardy was a dynamic hospitality industry veteran who held operational leadership roles in Iowa, New York, Missouri, and Mississippi. After a successful business career, he began to think about how his experiences and knowledge could benefit others, explaining, “There has always been a deep part of my identity and motivation grounded in teaching and helping others. So, becoming an instructor at the Else School of Management at Millsaps College was a natural fit and the decision to become a part of the faculty was an aspirational dream come true.” 

He describes his current role – Visiting Instructor at Millsaps and business and leadership consultant – as allowing him the opportunity to guide today’s and tomorrow’s business leaders in growing themselves, their teams, and their businesses.  

Gerad earned a Bachelor of Science in business management from SUNY Empire State College and his M.B.A at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. He is also a graduate of the Mississippi Economic Council’s Leadership Mississippi program, holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University, and is a current doctoral student at the University of Dallas. 

Hardy enjoys classic cars and is a CrossFit instructor outside of the office. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clinton and is passionate about helping others through involvement in the community. He has served on several of the area's non-for-profit boards, including chairman of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association and president of the Clinton Ms. Chamber of Commerce. Gerad and his wife of 18 years, Jill, are the proud parents of Jackson, Alex, and Emily.