Roel Harsta, co-founder of Hardee Greens, has called the Lowcountry home for over 20 years and shares a deep love for his community and its future. Hardee Greens was born out of his family’s desire to create a more sustainable, healthy, and locally resilient food system, especially in response to supply chain disruptions seen during the pandemic. A lifelong entrepreneur, Roel started his first business at 23 and later founded Global Process Automation (GPA) in 1996, growing it from a one-man operation to a team of 50+ engineers working across multiple industries and states. He and his wife, Jennifer, and their sons, also spent two and a half years volunteering in Belize with Water Missions, bringing sustainable clean water systems to rural villages.

After retiring from GPA in 2018, Roel launched Professional Company Coaching, helping business leaders establish healthy boundaries and prioritize family and relationships. Outside of work, Roel is devoted to serving at church, enjoying time with his family and 4-legged friend, Mossy, boating, and cheering on his favorite soccer team with friends. Side Note: On any given day, he is also the Landscape Maintenance guy for Hardee Greens!