Hardy Diagnostics founder retires after 45 years
It has been more than four decades since Jay Hardy first founded his manufacturing company, Hardy Diagnostics, in Santa Maria, and along the way, there have been a slew of victories. But after 45 years, Hardy decided to take a step back.
Announced Nov. 19, Hardy officially announced he has stepped down as founder and president of Hardy Diagnostics after 45 years. Following his retirement, Hardy Diagnostics’ board of directors appointed Christopher Catani as its new president and CEO, effective immediately.
Hardy will continue to serve in an advisory role during the transition to ensure a smooth handover and to support ongoing strategic initiatives, the company said in a press release.
“After 45 years of helping lead this wonderful company, I have decided that it’s time I took a step back to spend more time with my children and grandchildren. More than anything, I want to thank all the Hardy employee owners for their hard work and dedication that have made Hardy Diagnostics what it is today. I know that you will keep moving forward in fulfilling our mission to ‘Diagnose and Prevent Disease’ while demonstrating our ‘Culture of Service’ to our customers,” Hardy said in a press release.
Hardy founded Hardy Diagnostics in 1980 in Santa Barbara, with a vision to support clinical and industrial laboratories through high-quality, innovative microbiological products and unparalleled customer service.
Under his leadership, the company has grown from a small regional supplier into a nationally recognized employee-owned enterprise with multiple manufacturing facilities and a global distribution network, the company said in a press release.
The Business Times has honored Hardy Diagnostics with multiple awards throughout the years, including the Central Coast Best Places to Work and more.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Hardy Diagnostics was one of the key distributors of rapid tests for coronavirus. Later, the company also partnered with two professors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to develop a new Covid-19 test.
The test uses saliva collected from the mouth on a strip, rather than a sample from a nasal swab. It was developed by Nathaniel Martinez, an associate professor of biological sciences at Cal Poly, and Andres Martinez, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry.
The company has also done a lot in terms of giving back.
Just last year, Hardy Diagnostics donated nearly $300,000 to the Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation in Santa Maria to support the purchase of advanced identification equipment in the hospital’s laboratory.
The equipment plays a vital role in the rapid diagnosis of disease.
“It gives us immense joy knowing that we can partner with Marian and other hospitals in their mission to provide superior health care to those in our community,” Hardy said in a press release last year.
Hardy Diagnostics is also a 100% employee-owned company and donates 1% of its earnings to non-profit organizations and supports a variety of local charities.
Catani joined Hardy Diagnostics in 1996 and has held multiple leadership positions, including serving as CEO for the past two years. In his expanded role as president and CEO, Catani will oversee all aspects of the company’s operations, strategy, and culture as Hardy Diagnostics continues its mission to advance microbiology and laboratory automation solutions, the company said in a press release.
“It is a great honor to assume the role of President and CEO of Hardy Diagnostics. I am committed to carrying forward the legacy of excellence and integrity established by Jay Hardy and to leading our company with a steadfast focus on growth, innovation, and long-term success for future generations of employee-owners,” Catani said.
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