The Real Harris: Meet Edward Rebman

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

I attended Michigan State University for electrical engineering.  Mid-way through the program I realized it didn’t want to be stuck behind a monitor for my entire professional career.  Johnson Controls hired me after graduation for a sales position for building automation systems which, to me, was a nice blend of sales and engineering which allowed me to spend time in the field and with customers.  After 18 years with Johnson Controls, I left to join Harris as the General Manager of the Boise Service + Building Automation office.

What drew you to Harris? What makes you stay?

The company culture was a big factor in my decision to join Harris.  I love how everyone helps each other and wants everyone else within the company to be successful.  I like that Harris is big enough to have national resources, but also small and nimble enough to serve each market in a relatively unique way.  I relish a channel and I’m excited to help grow the Boise market.

What is the best part about your position?

The people are the best part about my job as General Manager.  We have a great team and are in a unique position to grow the Harris brand and culture at the new location in Boise, ID.

What are some of the main responsibilities and initiatives that you lead?

As General Manager, I’m responsible for the P&L within the Boise market.  As part of a new acquisition, my main responsibilities are helping implement the Harris processes within the business and grow the business in the Boise market.  For the time being, I am also doing sales/estimating for controls and building automation until we can grow the business enough to expand the team.

Focus is important. How do you handle external factors that affect the business? How do you prevent yourself from over or under reacting?

I’m very analytical and process driven.  While external factors do play a role, I believe if you do the right thing and follow good processes every day the big things will take care of themselves.  I learned a long time ago that nothing is ever as good or as bad as it seems in the moment, so when external events happen it’s important to stay calm, think the situation through and do the best thing you can for your customers and your team.

Looking ahead, what are some of the biggest opportunities for Harris? Business challenges?

In the Boise market, there is an immense opportunity to grow the business for both service and building automation.  We have an expert team in place and a growing and thriving marketplace.  Our biggest challenge is finding the right talented individuals to join our team in a completive labor market.

What are you passionate about at work? What inspires you or motivates you?

I’m passionate about delighting customers. To understand their business needs and help support them as a trusted advisor. It motivates me to have the customers think of you as a team member, not just a vendor or commodity.  I like solving unique customer problems in a team environment.

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

The ability to listen.  Most customers and team members will tell you exactly what they would like from you and the company.  You just have to be willing to listen and really hear what they have to say.

What keeps you up at night? Personally/professionally?

Broken processes.  I can sleep well at night with adverse results as long as I know we are following the right processes.  If we are doing things the wrong way it makes me toss and turn.

How do you like to re-charge?

I love the outdoors. I spend all my free time hiking, hunting, fishing, biking and backpacking in the outdoors.  It’s important to me to walk my dogs every day, as I do some of my best and clearest thinking while exercising outdoors away from screens.

What are you most proud of at Harris?

Harris’s commitment to customer satisfaction at every level.  The company really stands behind the value of being the trusted advisor.

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

I volunteer as an instructor and mentor for a “learn to hunt” program for adults who are new to hunting.

What do you wish the public knew about Harris?

In Boise, after the acquisition and name change in April the public just needs to know the Harris name and what we do.  I know our customers love us, but outside our existing customer base most of the industry isn’t familiar with the company and the brand