Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

After going the educational route last week with Hartselle superintendent Vic Wilson, this week’s day in the life series focuses on Scott Stadthagen. Stadthagen is the current part owner, along with his wife Amy Peck Stadthagen, of Hagen Homes. Stadthagen is also a member of the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce and is planning a campaign to run for State Representative.

Stadthagen grew up in Pace, Florida and attended the University of West Alabama where he played football. He thought he would be a teacher and a football coach, but eventually found himself in home building where he has been for the last 13 years. Most of Stadthagen workdays consist of meeting with homeowners, checking houses and scheduling. “I have an office but I don’t spend that much time in it.” Stadthagen said. “I’m usually out all day going from house to house.” Stadthagen makes all the checks on the houses himself and gets it done fairly quickly thanks to his years of experience. “When I first started it would take me several hours to check a house.” Stadthagen said. “Now it doesn’t take me as long because I know exactly what to look for.” Stadthagen takes pride in having a personal touch on his jobs. “I think that’s why Hagen Homes has done so well.” Stadthagen said. “I’m personally on the job every day and I don’t want to ever get bigger than that.” Hagen Homes has carved out a good piece of North Alabama to do its business in. They do jobs from Lawrence Count to Cullman and Morgan County and into Huntsville. Currently, Hagen Homes is doing a job in Town Creek.

Between doing his work at Hagen Homes, he is also a chairman at the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce along with other city groups including the Rotary Club and Kiwanis. Rotary meets every Tuesday and Kiwanis every Thursday. Scheduling has become a key skill for him. “Scheduling. You have to schedule well.” Stadthagen said. “You have to make time for everybody.”

Stadthagen is also preparing to run for State Representative. His desire to run came from his desire to help his city and his district. “It’s important to be involved.” Stadthagen said. “I think it’s important to give back to the community. If nobody does then where does that leave you?” He began by building the new Hartselle Farmer’s Market Pro Bono. He wants to make a positive impact on this community. “People have asked me what exactly I want to do.” Stadthagen said. “The metaphor I came up with is that I want to take a paddle and slap the water and cause a huge wake so that when I leave the effects will still be going on.” As a state rep, he wants to bring the district closer together and work as one. This includes meeting with all the city and town mayors, meeting with all the county commissioners and school superintendents.  “One person can’t get anywhere by yourself.” Stadthagen said. “I think if we came together and had one goal we could get a lot done.”