For the past four decades, Hagerman & Company has been a trusted partner in the ever-changing world of design and engineering. From the days of manual drafting to the latest 3D CAD modeling with Autodesk, we’ve walked alongside professionals, helping them navigate various systems. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, our excitement for the future and commitment to driving innovation and success in this dynamic field are stronger than ever.
Since our founding in 1984, our mission has been to lead transformative changes and make a positive, lasting impact. We take immense pride in helping architects, engineers, designers, and manufacturers utilize design innovations to bring their visions to life.
As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve our customers in this rapidly advancing field. This milestone signifies more than just the passage of time—it highlights the meaningful relationships we’ve built and the challenges we’ve overcome together. Our status as an Autodesk Platinum Partner and achievement of the Women’s Business Enterprise certification are just a few highlights of our commitment to excellence.
Looking back, we honor not only our achievements but also the remarkable community of professionals who have been integral to our story.
Forty years ago, in a small office filled with big ideas and even bigger dreams, Dennis Hagerman founded Hagerman & Company. From the beginning, our deep commitment to family values shaped how we treated customers and employees. These principles laid the foundation for a supportive and inclusive work environment that has been central to our success and growth.
As the digital revolution took shape in the late 80s and early 90s, Hagerman was at the forefront, integrating emerging technologies that reshaped the design and manufacturing landscapes. Our early adoption of computer-aided design technologies set the stage for a transformation that would see us evolve from a family-run business to a leader in technological integration.
Fueled by this dedication, our business expanded its client base and broadened its services to include a wider range of solutions. Throughout this growth, our core values remained unchanged. The team has always been committed to fostering a warm, family-like atmosphere within the organization. Many employees have been with us since our first decade in business, exemplifying the loyalty and close-knit spirit of our staff.
“Our family, company family, vendors, and customers have a tight relationship. In the beginning it was just our family, but soon we were adding new employees and opening up new offices. But the culture remained the same. We consider everyone as family.”
- Sandy Hagerman, President and CEO of Hagerman & Company
What’s more, employees were treated like family. Dennis Hagerman organized companywide events, inviting employees to bring their families along. This sense of camaraderie has been a cornerstone of Hagerman’s culture, contributing to the loyalty and long-term commitment of its team.
“Dennis would bring up all the families into Decatur, Effingham, or whatever it was, and he'd rent a boat. We'd all jump on the boat with our swimsuits and just have a ball. But he wanted us to bring our families. He wanted to see the kids. He wanted to see the spouses and those people, and he wanted to talk to them and know who they were, and that's just the way Dennis was. Just sincerity and caring, and it's a family. It definitely is.”
- Tad Whitchurch, Director, CAD/CAM Training and Support, Hagerman & Company
From our early years, our primary focus has been on driving innovation in the design and engineering space. One of our earliest big wins was to witness the transformative impact of Autodesk software across industries. Partnering with Autodesk was the beginning of something groundbreaking.
“We were an accounting practice prior to becoming involved in the CAD world. Autodesk was one of our first partners back in 1984.”
- Andrew Hagerman, Director of Sales at Hagerman & Company
From the foundational simplicity of AutoCAD to the intricate capabilities of Fusion 360, these tools empower architects, engineers, designers, and manufacturers alike. We saw firsthand the potential of these tools to revolutionize workflows, accentuating our mission to advocate for innovation and help professionals leverage advancements in their respective fields.
Over the years, our role evolved far beyond software sales. Hagerman & Company became a comprehensive design and engineering partner helping clients identify workflow challenges and deliver a broader range of custom solutions.
Our team offers Autodesk training, support, and strategic guidance. We also assist clients seeking alternative CAD software systems, ensuring they have the best tools and strategies to achieve their goals.
Sandy Hagerman, the wife of founder Dennis Hagerman, took the helm of Hagerman & Company in 2012. Under her leadership, the company reached new heights and achieved numerous accolades.
Notably, the team earned the prestigious Autodesk Platinum Partner status, the highest level of accreditation for a Value-Added Reseller. This exclusive title is awarded to partners who have demonstrated exceptional performance, deep industry expertise, and a strong commitment to customer success.
Apart from maintaining the company’s family-oriented values, Sandy also emphasized the importance of being a woman-owned business. Thriving in a predominantly male industry demanded resilience, courage, and determination to overcome distinct setbacks. Her leadership and vision have been instrumental in navigating these roadblocks and challenging stereotypes.
“The very first trade show I went to, my mom and I were the only two women in the entire place. It was a very large trade show floor, and I don't think we saw another woman the entire time, but she had to survive being the only woman in the room many times. It just takes a lot of courage and tenacity to go in and face that and believe that you are just as smart or just as capable as anybody else in that room.”
- Elaine Perry, Director of Marketing at Hagerman & Company
Sandy Hagerman’s dedication, along with the concerted efforts of her entire team, led to the company earning certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). It’s a widely recognized and respected national certification awarded to women-owned companies that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and actively support supplier diversity programs in both corporations and government agencies.
Looking ahead, we at Hagerman & Company remain steadfast in our mission to empower individuals and organizations with advanced design and engineering solutions. We understand that the future holds new challenges. Some of them will likely require more sophisticated solutions for design and creation, but our vision remains clear: to drive technological progress and equip our partners with the necessary tools and support needed for their success.
“I think what I've learned most from working with Dennis and Sandy Hagerman is that in business and, really, in life as well, you never know what's going to happen. The only course of action is to just stay optimistic, stay focused, and keep working hard, and if you do, your chances of success are very good.”
- Andrew Hagerman, Director of Sales at Hagerman & Company
This exact mindset is what drives us to look forward to a future of growth, industry advancements, and expanded partnerships. Our unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that the coming decades will bring even greater accomplishments. Recognizing the potential for both new opportunities and roadblocks, we are ready to embrace everything with optimism and an open mind.
We want to sincerely thank everyone who has played a role in our story. Your trust and support have been fundamental to our success, and we’re honored to have you by our side as we continue to shape the future of design and engineering.
Here’s to the next 40 years of collaboration, innovation, and endless possibilities. Thank you for being a part of our journey at Hagerman & Company!