About

About Robert William Harris

Robert William Harris is the Executive Vice President of Business Development at JH Kelly, a leading MEP and specialty industrial contractor based in the Pacific Northwest. With a headquarters in Longview, Washington, the company boasts a strong workforce of over 1,200 employees and consistently reports annual revenues exceeding $500 million. His role is pivotal in steering the company’s expansive projects and dynamic marketing strategies.

Extensive Industry Experience

Bob Harris brings more than 35 years of rich experience in the construction sector. His role at JH Kelly involves leading a dedicated team of 12 professionals in sales, marketing, and business development spread across various operational groups within the company. His strategic insights are crucial in developing ‘Win Work’ strategies significantly benefiting service segments and large-scale industrial CapEx projects.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1966 in Toronto, Canada, Robert William Harris moved to the United States in 1975 when his engineer father took a job in Seattle, Washington, with Wright Schuchart Engineering, later known as the Harris Group. This move sparked his lifelong passion for construction and engineering, a path he diligently followed, much like his father.

Passion for Hockey

From a young age, Harris was active in sports, playing hockey throughout his childhood and college years. He competed in the United States Hockey League and played at Junior A level and for Iowa State University. Though he did not complete his education at Iowa State, his love for sports continued unabated.

Academic and Early Professional Life

Rob Harris eventually returned to Seattle and completed his education at Seattle University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Humanities. After graduation, he briefly worked as an auditor for a pension fund, a job that serendipitously led him to meet his future wife, Marnie. His career took a significant turn when he transitioned into construction and engineering, securing a position as a project engineer with Sverdrup Engineering. His early projects included managing substantial aspects of the Concourse D expansion at SeaTac airport.

JH Kelly and Career Advancements

Harris joined JH Kelly initially as a Field Engineer working in Klamath Falls, Oregon, on a compressor station rebuild project for PGT as a subcontractor to Bechtel Corporation. His journey with JH Kelly saw him taking on various roles, including constructing a sulfur recovery unit at the CHS refinery in Laurel, Montana, and managing numerous industrial capital projects and shutdowns. His adept skills in business development led to his promotion to Director of Marketing and Business Development.

1999, he briefly left JH Kelly to lead a sales team at Cal-Air in San Diego. Still, he returned four years later, reinvigorated to take up the Vice President role in marketing and business development at JH Kelly.

Leadership at a Newly Acquired Company

In 2018, following the acquisition of Portland Mechanical Contractors (PMC) by JH Kelly, Harris was appointed to integrate PMC into JH Kelly’s culture and enhance its business performance. His leadership was instrumental in bolstering PMC’s sales culture and financial outcomes.

Continued Impact and Community Involvement

Besides his professional endeavors, Harris is actively involved in community service. He serves on the board of directors for the Cowlitz Economic Development Council and has been a board member of several other regional organizations.

Personal Life

On a personal note, he enjoys traveling with his wife of 33 years, exploring various cultures, cuisines, and architectures worldwide. A family man at heart, he treasures the time spent with his three children, their spouses, and his two grandchildren. He is an avid sports enthusiast who has played hockey for over 50 years and participates in an over-35 league in McMinnville, Oregon.

In summary, Robert William Harris’s career is a testament to his profound commitment to excellence in the construction and engineering sectors, his strategic acumen in business development, and his deep-rooted values in family and community service.