Forty Under 40: David Harris

When asked what motivates him, David Harris talked about his family. But it isn’t just his wife and two children, it’s also his parents, Mesa and Pat Harris of Harris McHaney Realtors. As one of the oldest names in Rogers, “pride of name and family heritage” means a lot, he said.

Harris earned his bachelor’s in political science and history in 1991 from the University of Arkansas. After working for his dad for two years Harris formed his construction company in 1994.

The first year he built four homes, adding a few annually until he leveled off at around 25 per year. Harris said he could do more, but he doesn’t want to sacrifice quality. His company has averaged revenue of $9 million to $10 million during each of the last few years.

“The harder and smarter you work, the bigger dividend it pays,” he said.

Harris also operates Harris & Harris Properties.

He credits his success to always rethinking his work to be most cost-efficient and having the “best foreman and assistant I can have.” He added, “I’m only as good as my sub-contractors.”

He gets great satisfaction from turning an empty lot into a house and watching a family move in and love it. “And, I get to do it over and over again,” he said.