The Real Harris: Meet Bob Swanger

Tell us about your background. What led you to this Industry?

“I spent four years serving in the US Air Force where I worked on chillers, pneumatic controls and electrical distribution systems in the Minuteman II Missile silos. Upon leaving active duty, I thought it’d make sense to be a technician in the civilian world. Somewhere in the process, my first company thought I’d do better in sales and I became a maintenance sales rep selling HVAC service agreements in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The rest is history.”

What drew you to Harris and what makes it a unique place to work?

“Harris was my customer when I served as area vice president for Linc Corp. I got to know the company and team and felt like it was a good fit. I worked for Harris from 2003-2011 and came back in 2018. Harris feels like home; and it’s great to be back.

“The fact that Harris is owned by its leadership and management team is both empowering and unique in companies that are not publicly traded. Harris also has an outside board of directors that provides guidance to the operating management and helps steer the organization’s strategic direction. Overall, it’s a great team of professionals that make it a privilege to work here.”

What are your main responsibilities and what is the best part of your position?

“My team is the best part of my job. I have the honor and responsibility to lead a group of professionals that amaze me on an ongoing basis. As the overall leader of our Service + Building Automation business nationally, my number one priority is to redeem our business plan each year. I’m also responsible for helping my team reach their potential, as well as ensuring that we earn the trust that our customers place in us. As a member of our executive leadership team, I have a broader responsibility to ensure that Harris remains a strong, viable business. That includes providing organizational leadership by embodying our values and being a steward of the legacy of Harris, while ensuring the future of the organization.”

What traits are important to be successful in your position; what motivates you?

“Candor, transparency, as well as curiosity, awareness and the humility to understand that what’s going to hurt you is when you don’t know what you don’t know. I’m not sure if I am motivated to win or afraid to lose, but the result is the same; I am very competitive and hate to lose.”

What are you passionate about at work and how do you recharge?

“I’m passionate about growth. I feel strongly that sustained profitable growth provides opportunities for career development, innovation, and is a leading indicator of customer satisfaction. As for recharging, I sometimes joke that I need to work on my “work-work” balance, although to some in my family, it’s not too funny! My favorite way to recharge is probably to vacation in some tropical location with no agenda, itinerary, or goals – just unplug, hangout and relax with family.”

What keeps you up at night?

“Knowing that somewhere, someplace, there is another company working as hard as we do to take it all away from us.”

What is something Harris employees may not know about you?

“I received my credentials as an ordained minister from the Universal Life Church (.com) and officiated my first wedding for my nephew a couple of years ago. I will be officiating my second wedding next Fall for my niece.”

What do you wish the public knew about the company?
“We have so many talented and committed team members that work behind the scenes to allow our field teams to deliver great services. Like all great teams, there are many “unsung heroes” who work every day to make Harris a trusted partner to our customers.”