Howard W. Hanna , III

Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna III, Chairman of the largest private real estate company in the United States, is known as a man of steadfast determination and integrity. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is a family-owned company with three generations of the Hanna family involved in day-to-day operations.

The company specializes in residential, commercial, mortgage, title and insurance brokerage services and delivers quality services through its more than 400 offices across Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey, West Virginia, Indiana, and Maryland with more than 13,000 agents and employees. The company was founded in 1957 by Howard and Anne Hanna with one office in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh at Bayard and Craig Streets, which is now known as Howard Hanna Way. Howard Hanna Real Estate Service’s 2020 sales volume exceeded $28.5 billion with 113,755 closed transaction sides.

Getting his real estate license at 18 and following in his father’s footsteps, Hoddy began his real estate career as a weekend sales associate for Howard Hanna while attending John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. The business expanded and diversified under Hoddy’s leadership and he became an important influence in the real estate community and an industry leader.

His innovation in the industry is renowned, and he has always been known as the idea man, brimming with energy and charisma. Howard Hanna Real Estate Services was among the first in the country to launch a weekly television program showcasing homes listed for sale and is the only real estate company in the nation to offer a “100% Money Back Guarantee” and the first large company to digitally offer all of its listings on the internet. Howard Hanna has been delivering a fully integrated home buying experience since 1981 and is proud to continue their dedication to the mortgage, title, and insurance services. With the experience of their professionals and all these services housed under one roof, Howard Hanna is committed to getting customers under their own roof in the most efficient, effective manner possible.

The ever-continuing goal of leading in sales, mortgages and closings of real estate with pride, enthusiasm and integrity, has led to numerous honors for Hoddy. He is the founder and chair of West Penn Multi-List and former chair of the Real Estate Providers Organization of America. Recognized by LaRoche University as the recipient of the school’s Ad Lucem Award in honor of the Hanna Family’s vision, leadership and determination; the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has recognized Hoddy with the National American Heritage Award, given to individuals who serve their community through work and deed; and the Western Pennsylvania Junior Achievement has named him ‘Man of the Year’.

Very active in the community, he currently serves as chair of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees and as a member and former Chairman of the hospital’s Foundation board. Additionally, he is a member of the board of Citizen’s Financial Group in Providence, Rhode Island, John Carroll University, the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business, the Diocese of Pittsburgh Finance Council, and the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. He is also the chair of the H.J. Heinz Western Pennsylvania History Center and a director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).

Hoddy recently completed a term on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and is a former chair of the Western Pennsylvania Fannie Mae Foundation. He is a founder and former chairman of Family House and a founder of the annual Viking Victory Auction for Central Catholic High School.

Hoddy personally chairs the annual Howard Hanna Children’s Free Care Fundraising drive. Since 1988, the campaign has raised and donated more than $18 million to children’s hospitals where the company does business.

Throughout the last two decades, Hoddy has received the following awards: the Jewish National Fund Humanitarian of the Year Award, the Catholic Charities Company of the Year award for diversity, The H.J Heinz Western Pennsylvania Center History Make in Business Award, the Anti-Defamation League National American Heritage Award, the National Association of Realtors Good Neighbor Award, and the RISMedia/Bank of America National Homeownership Award.