The Real Harris: Meet Andrew Tranovich

Tell us about your background. How did you get your start in the construction/service/BAS business?

It’s a love story. Originally, I was joining the biomedical industry, however, I wanted to work in an office walkable to getting lunch with my (now) wife. Ever since I have loved the industry culture, constant learning and opportunity for project delivery improvement.

What drew you to Harris? What makes you stay?

I was drawn to Harris by sharing core the values, such as viewing interactions through the lens of a trusted partner, both with our clients, and with the vendors and subs who help support us. I stay because I will have a direct and positive impact on the Bay Area industry through my role at Harris.

What do you enjoy about working at Harris?

I enjoy the ambition and energy of the organization, especially the potential for growth in the region. The shared ambition with our clients to partner for challenging projects and optimal outcomes is like nothing else.

What is the best part about your position?

The best part about my position is working with our clients and partners to solve challenges as early as possible when they are the cheapest and least complex to solve. I love describing new visions for system approaches, install sequences, or prefab ideas, and having others visualize it and see the benefits.

What traits do you think are important for someone in your role to be successful?

For personal traits, I would say optimism, authenticity and attention to detail. These are wonderful traits that benefit yourself and your interactions with clients and partners. For experience, there is no way around real-world experience and having seen challenges before.

What are your main responsibilities and initiatives that you lead?

My primary responsibility is to lead our regional relationships with existing and new trusted partners for mutual success on complex and fast-paced Bay Area projects.

What are you passionate about at work?

I am passionate about clarity. Our in-house design engineers, field managers and install teams already want to be productive and efficient, and they are counting on us in preconstruction to set up projects and procedures to clearly know what is needed, when and ensure it gets to them in a timely manner. This sounds simple but is assuredly complex.

How do you like to re-charge?

Playing metal and punk on electric guitar with the volume turned up to 11. Everything from Metallica to Blink-182.

What keeps you up at night?

Short answer: My 12-year-old adopted terrier-chihuahua when he needs to go out. Projects don’t keep me up at night because I trust in our organizational abilities and approach.

What are you most proud of at Harris?

I am proud of the team and culture we are building with Harris in the Bay Area. It’s the perfect nexus of trust, ambition, familiarity and optimism that doesn’t feel like a job.

What is one thing Harris employees wouldn’t know about you?

I am a hands-on mechanic that has done engine swaps, upgraded my own cars and raced SCCA autocross with both mid-engine and front-engine rally setup cars.

What drew you to this industry?

There are so many roles to play for projects! I have had the opportunity to gain experience on all sides of the table: public capital projects owner, private industry owner’s rep, ESPC project developer, Sr. PM for large projects, commissioning authority, etc. Accumulating experience from these different perspectives and paying it forward with our clients and partners to avoid risk is 100% satisfying and a draw to the industry.

What do you wish the public knew about Harris?

We truly believe in the trusted partner approach. It drives all decisions large and small.

What inspires you? What motivates you?

Shared success with our partners. The feeling at the end of a project that met its goals, everyone does well and serves as an example reference in the future is the ultimate motivation.