John M. Hudson, Founder and President of The Hudson Companies since 1977, has become an industry leader in real estate development, investment, and general construction. His vision has culminated in the privately held Hudson portfolio of investment-grade real estate, including credit tenant leased facilities, multifamily apartment communities, medical offices, and multiple commercial office facilities located in institutional-investment markets. His general construction division specializes in educational, medical, office, and institutional facilities. John directed the financing, development, acquisition, and management of properties in six states, including Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas.

John received his Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Thiel College, where he previously served on the Thiel College Board of Trustees and held the role of Chair of The Board of Trustees, served as Vice Chair, Chair of the Facilities, Physical Plant, and Information Technology Committee, and served on the Student Enrollment Committee. John received the Louis and Barbara Thiel Distinguished Service Award and the Haller Enterprise Institute Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the College.

John holds a Director position on the Board of Directors of Synergy Comp Insurance Company, where he maintains an investment position in the workers’ compensation insurance company. He is Chairman of the Christian H. Buhl Legacy Trust, a board member of the Buhl Regional Health Foundation, Chair of the Personnel Committee, a past board member, and former two-term President of the F.H. Buhl Club. John was a former board member and Chairman of Sharon Regional Health System and a former board member of Penn State University, Shenango Valley Campus. As a strong advocate for charitable causes serving on numerous boards throughout the years, he presently chairs the nominating committee at The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Erie.

Additional honors include the Gannon University Small Business Award; Distinguished Citizen Award, Boy Scouts of America French Creek Council; Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award; and the Bishop of the Dioceses of Erie Caritas Award. John was a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Pittsburgh Western PA Region and the Katz School of Business Western PA Family Business of the Year Award.