My Story

Quick Facts

• Age: 40

• Profession: Operations Manager with Lot Squared Development (Washington DC)

• Education: BA in Economics from Haverford College (Haverford PA); MBA from The Fox School of Business of Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)

• Interests: Business, politics, history, cooking, parks, and my dogs

• What's with the funny last name? The name "Sagardoy"  (pronounced sag - are - doy) comes from the Basque word for "apple orchard." Other than my dad, I've never met anyone else with that last name. My name is a source of pride.

I was born in January 1986 to John Sagardoy, a business consultant, and Brenda Settle, a nurse. My family on my father's side immigrated to the United States from France at Ellis Island in 1952 when my dad was 8. I grew up in Owensboro on the west side. 

An alum of the DCPS, I attended Tamarack Elementary, Burns Middle, and Apollo High School. In high school, I participated in academic team where I met my best friends. I also began a lifelong love for history and excelled at writing. In 2004, I graduated with honors. 

After high school, I wanted a liberal arts education at a small school so I attended Haverford College in suburban Philadelphia. While at Haverford, I worked full-time at the campus’s café - the Coop - and pursued an interest in theater at Haverford's sister school, Bryn Mawr College.

It was during the runup to the 2008 election that I first started getting involved in politics. I was so passionate and curious about other viewpoints that I volunteered that year at one point or another for Barack Obama, John McCain, and Ron Paul (believe it or not). I graduated from Haverford with a B.A. in Economics at the height of the Great Recession.

With the help of my coworkers, I was blessed to secure continued employment working at Haverford as an administrator and supervisor during those difficult times. It was during this time I developed my interest in entrepreneurship and finance. I also began getting involved in local politics at this time, first organizing for the Haverford Township Democratic Party as a precinct captain, then as ward leader for the 2012 election. I also worked closely with the Delaware County (PA) Democratic Committee during this time.

In 2011, I enrolled in business school at Temple University in Philadelphia, spending long nights analyzing data on computers with some of my dearest friends. During that time, I also served on the board of Greene Street Friends School, a 160-year-old K-8 Quaker-affiliated charter school in Philadelphia. There, I advised them in matters of sustainable finance and information technology strategy. I also received regional industry awards for my financial modeling skills and corporate finance acumen. I received my MBA with highest honors from Temple in May 2013.

From 2013 to 2018, I worked as a business analyst and management consultant in the non-profit, real estate, life-sciences, and finance industries. Throughout these roles, I saw broad exposure across business functions and honed my problem-solving skills on organizational and business issues. 

In 2018, I was hired full-time by one of my clients, Lot Squared Development, a residential real estate developer in Washington, D.C. In my current role, I oversee company strategy, talent management, and finance. I love the team of sharp professionals I work with every day and I'm thrilled to work in such a dynamic and challenging industry as high-density urban development.

With the onset of the pandemic, I moved from D.C. back to Owensboro to be closer to friends and family, to help others, and to serve my community. After moving 11 times in 10 years, I finally made Owensboro my permanent home.

As a young man, I experienced repeated tragedy. At the age of 14, I lost my father to glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. At 19, I lost my brother to lingering complications from surgery. At 22, I lost my grandmother with whom I was close.

The pain from these losses inflicted me deeply, the pain of which I wasn't able to grasp or comprehend for years. It was only after I was diagnosed at the age of 29 with PTSD and depression that I was able to take portions of my life back. As someone who isn't shy about discussing his own experience, I encourage anyone in pain to reach out to a trained professional for help.

As a political junkie and as someone eager to publically serve, I've always wanted to run for office. In 2022, I fulfilled this dream by running for Daviess County Central Commissioner. Though I did not win that election, I ran a positive campaign that elevated important issues in the community. I echoed optimism in ourselves and our community which kept me moving forward everyday. I provided a measured perspective from a unique voice - a college-educated Owensboro native under the age of 40 who left town but came back.

In August 2024, I attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a Kentucky delegate. For me, it was such a surreal and transformative experience where I met so many people and got to know my other Kentuckians.

Besides my passion for business and grassroots politics, I enjoy cooking, visiting museums and parks, reading history (especially military history), taking plan-as-you-go road trips, and playing with my dogs. Among my most prized possessions is my National Parks Passport, with which I hope to visit every national park in the United States.