UAH 2016 Alumni of Achievement Award: Jonathan T. Hard (BS, MGMT '05)

Jonathan T. Hard (BS, MGMT '05)

Michael Mercier | UAH

Don't Talk, Just Act. Don't Say, Just Show. Don't Promise, Just Prove . An anonymous adage that perfectly describes Jonathan T. Hard (BS, MGMT '05) alumnus of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Hard, Chief Executive Officer, of H2L Solutions, Inc., has been active in Huntsville community issues for years.

"As an entrepreneur I want to give back as much as I can and am always mentoring other companies and individuals. I love helping people succeed and try to be an asset to the entire community," Hard said. His company, H2L Solutions, Inc., specializes in Cyber and Information Assurance and provides cybersecurity solutions for government and commercial customers. Prior to founding H2L, Hard served as a cybersecurity engineer in the defense industry. In addition, Hard served in the Alabama National Guard for 12 years, and graduated from Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, Airborne School, and completed a tour in Iraq as an infantry officer.

H2L is the recipient of numerous awards including 2016 Best Places to Work, 2015 Emerging Business of the Year Award, both awards were presented by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and finalist for the Women's Business Center of North Alabama's Startup of the year Award, and the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Hard is on the Board of Directors for several Huntsville-area community service organizations and small businesses including the Harris Home for Children, Huntsville Association of Small Business in Advanced Technology (HASBAT), Building Relationships in Community (BRIC), and the Women's Business Center of North Alabama (WBCNA). He has raised money for Delta Zeta's Bubbly and BonBons, with proceeds benefitting Huntsville Hospital's Pediatric Audiology Department, UAH ATO's Battle of the Buffalo supports local cancer patients at Clearview Cancer Institute, Mistletoe Madness for the American Diabetes Association, Harris Home for Children Golf Tournament, and the 2016 Annual Empowering Our Veterans Event, where Hard sponsored the event and also served as the keynote speaker.

Perhaps it is Hard's unconditional generosity of time, talent and support of UAH and its students that confirm his true philanthropic nature. Last year, Hard was instrumental in helping the College of Business Administration plan and secure guest speakers for the annual Entrepreneur's Roundtable Event. "I wanted to create a relationship with UAH to better the community and provide a channel for its students to not only work for H2L, but to work for as many United States Department of Defense companies as possible," he said. "I work closely with UAH's Student Career Services to help get students to potential companies that are looking for candidates. We have currently hired UAH graduates and have other students that intern with us. I am always looking for ways to support UAH."

Hard earned an Associate of Arts degree from the Marion Military School, and is working on a Master's of Science degree in Cybersecurity from Polytechnic Institute of New York University. He has fond memories of his time at UAH, and remembers Dr. Cynthia Gramm, Professor of Management in the UAH College of Business Administration as having "the most impact on me as a student."

Hard has presented numerous papers on cybersecurity topics at regional and national conferences. He is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations including the Bronze Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal, National Defense Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, and Overseas Ribbon.