The Real Harris: Meet Vinnie Figlioli

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

I actually attended a vocational high school and was an installer my junior and senior year. After, I was a service technician for several years. Then, in my twenties I decided to go back to school for engineering. I have always worked in the mechanical industry.

What drew you to Harris? What makes you stay?

When I was in high school I wanted to start my own mechanical business and I set that as a long term goal. Later in my career, Harris gave me the opportunity to build a team from scratch in an area that I love. Harris helped to provide the training and support that I needed to grow myself and the business. Harris gave me the opportunity to succeed or fail. When I did make mistakes or things got rough, they picked me up, dusted me off and sent me back to work. When things have gone well they continue to encourage and provide the needed support. The culture and the team is what keeps me here. It is a REMARKABLE company to work for.

What is the best part about your position?

I enjoy working with the people here at Harris. Every day I get to work with such remarkable people. We challenge each other to be better and find solutions for our client’s needs.

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

I think it’s important to listen and try to understand where people are coming from. People want to know you care. At the same time, it is important to be upfront and open with each other. We all want to improve and we cannot make any changes unless we know we need to change first. I certainly am not perfect in these areas, but I do feel they are important.

What are your main responsibilities and initiatives that you lead?

I work directly with the construction team in the Salt Lake City office.

What are you passionate about at work?

Design Build. I enjoy working with clients, our local team and Harris Design Studio to provide the best value solutions for our clients. Design-build work allows us to be more creative problem solvers and provides a platform where relationships of trust are established internally and externally. This allows me to have a lot of fun with some amazing, creative people.

How do you like to re-charge?

Anything with family, we especially enjoy being in the mountains. I also enjoy running!

What keeps you up at night?

Waiting for my kids to come home…. The desire to constantly be better and do better. I enjoy pushing myself to the next level. I just don’t always understand what that means or where that is. I like to set goals and then push myself to achieve them. This thought process sometimes causes me to constantly think of areas where I made mistakes or could have done better in different situations.

What are you most proud of at Harris?

Our culture. Over the past 10 plus years I have been at Harris I have seen and been a part of a lot of the changes within our culture.

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

When I asked my wife to marry me she told me no for two months.

What drew you to this industry?

I have always been in the industry and enjoy the constant changes and challenges.

What do you wish the public knew about Harris?

The true depth of our capabilities. We have a lot to offer but I am not sure people know it.

What inspires you?

What motivates you? My family, ice cream and the opportunity to get better.