The Real Harris: Meet McKell Vedaa

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

Before Harris, I was a credit analyst and handled a large book of accounts receivable. My brother, who is a LBAS and has been here for many years finally convinced me to join the Harris team as a dispatcher.

What drew you to Harris? What makes you stay?

I knew my brother loved it here and was well taken care of between benefits and support from management. I stay because it feels like family, and I have a great team of service technicians who do great work and make my life easier.

What do you enjoy about working at Harris (what about the company itself made you want to work here)?

I feel included in decision making. I often get brought into business system development or process improvement meetings so when they consider new technology to make our jobs easier, they have the perspective of everyone involved in the day-to-day work.

What is the best part about your position (the day-to-day, people, a special project you were involved with)?

My team is the best part of the position. Here at the Salt Lake Office, we have so many great leaders and team members from our GM to my apprentices in the field. My team even extends to my dispatcher peer group and our leaders across the country, they are amazing and so supportive. They all make me want to work hard because they support me in anything I need.

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

Patience, so much patience! Also, the ability to stay calm in stressful situations.

What are your main responsibilities and initiatives that you lead?

First and foremost, I take care of our customers needs and technician schedules. I am also the leader of my peer group and have mentored several other dispatchers.

What are you passionate about at work?

I love creating and growing great customer relationships. The customer is what keeps us in business, so when we deliver quality service and they show their gratitude, it fuels my desire to continue to prove we’re the best in the business.

How do you like to re-charge?

I love live music and traveling with my family.

What keeps you up at night?

Future work. I have a great crew of skilled technicians, and I always worry where their next paycheck will come from.

What are you most proud of at Harris?

The quality of work we do and the passion that we have for doing it.

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

I am very much an introvert and a math nerd, I geek out when someone needs help with math homework.

What drew you to this industry?

I watched my dad be successful and happy in this industry from the time I was young and now my brother has followed the same path.

What do you wish the public knew about Harris?

How amazing the people are that work at Harris!

What inspires you? What motivates you?

I love learning about how things work. From learning about other departments at Harris and their processes so that I know how my job/processes affect them to learning the ins and outs of HVAC system issues from my technicians. The more I know, the more I feel empowered to help, and make Harris better.