Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna III, chairman of the largest private real estate company in the United States, is known as a man of steadfast determination and integrity. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is a family-owned company with three generations of the Hanna family involved in day-to-day operations.

The company specializes in residential, commercial, mortgage, title and insurance brokerage services and delivers high-quality services through its more than 500 offices across Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, and Connecticut with more than 15,000 agents and employees. The company was founded in 1957 by Howard and Anne Hanna with one office in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh at Bayard and Craig Streets, which is now known as Howard Hanna Way. Howard Hanna Real Estate Service’s 2023 sales volume exceeded $37 billion with 109,906 closed transaction sides.

Getting his real estate license at 18 and following in his father’s footsteps, Hanna began his real estate career as a weekend sales associate for Howard Hanna while attending John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. The business expanded and diversified under Hanna’s leadership, and he became an important influence in the real estate community and an industry leader.

His innovation in the industry is renowned, and he has always been known as the idea man, brimming with energy and charisma. Howard Hanna Real Estate Services was among the first in the country to launch a weekly television program showcasing homes listed for sale and is the only real estate company in the nation to offer a “100% Money Back Guarantee,” and the first large company to digitally offer all its listings on the internet in 1996. Howard Hanna has been delivering a fully integrated home buying experience since 1981 through mortgage, title, relocation and insurance services. Having each of these services available within the Hanna Family of Companies allows Howard Hanna to help customers attain the dream of owning a home in the most efficient, effective manner possible.

The ever-continuing goal of leading in sales, mortgages and closings of real estate with pride, enthusiasm and integrity, has led to numerous honors for Hanna. He is the founder and former chair of West Penn Multi-List and former chair of the Real Estate Providers Organization of America. He has been recognized by La Roche University as the recipient of the school’s Ad Lucem Award in honor of the Hanna Family’s vision, leadership and determination. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has recognized Hanna with the National American Heritage Award, given to individuals who serve their community through work and deed, and Junior Achievement of Western PA has named him their “Man of the Year”.

Very active in the community, he currently serves on the following boards: University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business (1988-present); H.J. Heinz History Center, chairman (2020-present); John Carroll University (2005-2014 and 2019-present); Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (1992-present). Former board memberships include Hamot Hospital, EquiBank, Integra Bank, National City Bank, Citizen's Bank, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, LaRoche University, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, Federal Real Estate Providers Organization of America, West Penn Multi-List and Allegheny 2000 Committee. 

Hanna also previously served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Citizen's Bank Board, Citizen's Financial Group, and is a former chair of the Western Pennsylvania Fannie Mae Foundation. He is a founder and former chairman of Family House and a founder of the annual Viking Victory Auction for Central Catholic High School.

Hanna personally chairs the annual Howard Hanna Children’s Free Care Fundraising drive. Since 1988, the campaign has raised and donated more than $22 million to children’s hospitals across the Howard Hanna's 13-state footprint. 

Throughout the last two decades, Hanna has received the following awards: the Jewish National Fund Humanitarian of the Year Award, the Catholic Charities Company of the Year award for diversity, The H.J Heinz Western Pennsylvania Center History Maker in Business Award, the Anti-Defamation League National American Heritage Award, the National Association of Realtors’ Good Neighbor Award, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, RISMedia/Bank of America National Homeownership Award and the RISMedia Real Estate Hall of Fame Class of 2023.He also has an Honorary Doctorate Degree in businesss from John Carroll University, as well as an Honorary Doctorate Degree in humanities from LaRoche University. 

He and his wife, Mary Anne, reside in Pittsburgh, Pa., where they have raised five children and are the proud grandparents of 16 grandchildren.