About Us
Hugh J.T. Simpson, Professional Biography
Hugh Simpson began his real estate career near his hometown of Mechanicsburg (Harrisburg) Pennsylvania after receiving a business degree from Lehigh University. Hugh is the third generation of Harrisburg natives, which started with Joseph Simpson (deceased) who was founder and chairman of Harsco Corporation (HSC:NYSE). Hugh's father, Jerry Simpson, also worked for Harsco and later in conjunction with Hugh's brother, Mark, developed several upscale subdivisions. Hugh's real estate involvement started with several small rental properties and an opportunity to join a newly formed commercial real estate company, Landmark Commercial Realty in 1989.
Hugh's career as a land developer began with a partnership in 1990, which developed a BJ's Wholesale Club in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. While pursuing additional development opportunities, Hugh continued selling real estate and earned a brokers license in 1995.
Hugh, independent of partners, took responsibility for all levels of design, finance, marketing, and sales of several mixed-use residential subdivisions. The product types included town house lots, moderate income rental units, empty nester garden homes, and large upscale single family home sites. Inclusive, these next four projects, Seven Bridges, Village of Georgetown, Lindenwood, and Witney Ridge, provided nearly 300 "for sale" building sites in three different townships and two different counties.
In early 2000, after tracking the site for nine years and energized by the success of the prior projects, Hugh undertook pursuing a real estate-intensive operating business which has become Graham Hill Apartments. Hugh completed the 152 unit project in mid 2009. Graham Hill is now stabilized and generating annual gross income in excess of $2,000,000. An additional project on an adjacent site, the Offices at Graham Hill, is planned to follow.
In short advance of the onset of the Pandemic, the Manor Group Board Chair (and Founder) asked Simpson to serve as interim President. During his tenure, while responding to the Pandemic realities the firms’ occupancy grew to historic levels due to market conditions and management stability. Following the conclusion of the interim service, Simpson returned to both consulting (with multiple rental apartment projects) and the development of several (for sale) housing projects as a principal. Construction is ongoing and several projects are slated to begin in 2024.
Hugh is married with three children and serves on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations, described below.
Board Activity
Joseph T. & Helen M. Simpson Foundation (est. 1954)
The Joseph T. and Helen M. Simpson Foundation carries on the legacy of its founders and serves as a catalyst in the greater Harrisburg area by supporting deserving non-profits, especially those that focus on education, culture, health and human services.
Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg is to serve as a neighborhood based organization committed to serving youth of all backgrounds in developing self-esteem and character and to help them become responsible citizens by providing physical, recreational, social, educational and vocational programs.
Harrisburg Area YMCA
The Harrisburg Area YMCA is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to aid in the spiritual, mental, and physical development of each person enabling them to be beneficial and contributing members of our society. We accomplish our mission through our programs and services, which are designed to meet community needs in an atmosphere of Christian growth and love to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
The Manor Group
Manor Group is a family business that has developed and managed apartment communities for over half a century. The portfolio includes ten communities - about 2,400 apartments - throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
Goodwill Keystone Area
For 75 years, Goodwill Keystone Area has built a strong legacy of helping people with barriers to employment build skills, find jobs, and grow their careers. As workforce needs continue to evolve, so does our outlook and focus to address these needs.
Joseph T. & Helen M. Simpson Foundation (est. 1954)
The Joseph T. and Helen M. Simpson Foundation carries on the legacy of its founders and serves as a catalyst in the greater Harrisburg area by supporting deserving non-profits, especially those that focus on education, culture, health and human services.
- Board of Directors: 1992 - present
- Executive Director: 2009 - 2021
- Chairman: 2014 - present
Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg is to serve as a neighborhood based organization committed to serving youth of all backgrounds in developing self-esteem and character and to help them become responsible citizens by providing physical, recreational, social, educational and vocational programs.
- Board of Directors: 1/2006 - 10/2018
- Emeritus Board Member: 10/2018 - present
Harrisburg Area YMCA
The Harrisburg Area YMCA is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to aid in the spiritual, mental, and physical development of each person enabling them to be beneficial and contributing members of our society. We accomplish our mission through our programs and services, which are designed to meet community needs in an atmosphere of Christian growth and love to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
- Board of Directors: 2006 - present
- Executive Board Member: 2011 - present
The Manor Group
Manor Group is a family business that has developed and managed apartment communities for over half a century. The portfolio includes ten communities - about 2,400 apartments - throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
- Board of Directors: 8/26/2016-7/12/2023
- Interim President: 9/30/2019-12/1/2020
Goodwill Keystone Area
For 75 years, Goodwill Keystone Area has built a strong legacy of helping people with barriers to employment build skills, find jobs, and grow their careers. As workforce needs continue to evolve, so does our outlook and focus to address these needs.
- Board of Directors: 2022 - present
