Alumni Spotlight – Scott Hittie ‘78

The story of Scott Hittie – a proud member of the Class of 1978 – is one of service, family, and an appreciation for the small town values that ultimately guided a successful business career. It includes the strong work ethic nurtured in his father’s self-made family business, an exposure to the fast-paced corporate world, and a return to the life he grew up with and loved.

Scott played trumpet in the marching and concert bands for four years at Susquehannock and performed in the junior class play, Up the Down Staircase. He was an outstanding student, consistently named to the honor roll, and was a member of the National Honor Society in his junior and senior years.

Much of his available time was spent in activities outside of school. He was a volunteer firefighter and ran ambulance with the New Freedom Fire Department. In the process, he earned EMT certification. He was active in Boy Scouting and earned the prestigious Eagle award. He also enjoyed working on his 1968 Camaro, a car he still owns and drives on occasion.

After graduation from SHS, he attended Penn State York for two years and completed his studies at the University’s main campus, earning a degree in accounting in 1982.

Throughout his high school and college career, Scott’s family hardware business, started by his father in 1962, was ever present.  Scott worked there evenings and weekends, and full-time in the summer. In fact, his decision to begin his college career while living at home was driven by a desire – and need – to work there. “I’m proud to say that I paid all my own college bills,” he said of this part of his life. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, the business (New Freedom Hardware at that time) would be more than a means to an end.

In his senior year at Penn State, he worked an internship at the international accounting firm, Touche Ross and upon graduation, was offered a job in its Washington D.C. office. He passed the CPA exam and was well on his way to a successful career in public accounting.

But the travel was wearing on Scott, who found himself longing for the quiet familiarity of Southern York County. In 1985 when his father opened his third store, Scott saw it as a sign to change careers. “Big city and big business life was exciting for a while,” he explained. “But I discovered that the feel of a small town was something I always treasured.”

From 1985 to the present, he helped build a thriving home improvement, hardware, and rental business – a part of the True Value Plus system – that has become an integral part of the Southern York County economy. The firm recently celebrated 50 years of continuous growth.

Community service was and is a consistent theme in Scott’s life. He is a 16 year board member of American Red Cross-York Adams Chapter, an organization where he served as chairperson. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Christian School of York and the community advisory council of both Southern Community Services and Junior Achievement. He currently is a Junior Achievement instructor at Shrewsbury Elementary School. “I learned the value of community from my father at an early age,” he recalled. “It’s part of living in a town where you know everyone and they know you.”

When asked about teachers who had a particular influence in the values he developed that made him successful, he listed Mr. Smith his business teacher who piqued his interest in accounting and Mr. Grabert, his science teacher who was also active in scouts. He also mentioned Mrs. Shultz and Mr. Leese, principally because “they made school fun.”

Scott still lives in the Southern York County area with Sheri-Le, his wife of 22 years, and son, Josh.

Thanks to Scott Hittie, Class of 1978, for making us Warrior Proud.