SCOTT HARRISON:
 
SCOTT HARRISON




 
 
 
 
 
CEO of Azure Dynamics in Oak Park. Azure has developed proprietary electric and hybrid electric drive technology for the light to heavy duty commercial vehicle categories. In the past year since Harrison became president, the company has commercialized a lot of its technology and has received several contracts. Azure delivered its first production of hybrid delivery vans to FedEx Corp. and has a contract to deliver vans to AT&T this summer. With 17 years of experience in the automotive industry, Harrison has a strong record of sales growth, lean implementation, and new product introduction, as well as operations and supply chain experience. Harrison previously was employed at Hayes Lemmerz, where he was group president responsible for two global businesses. Before that, Harrison worked for Fisher Scientific Inc., where he was vice president and general manager of the lab equipment group. He began his automotive career with General Motors, where he spent seven years in positions of increasing responsibility in the Delco Chassis division. During this time, he participated in GM's supervisor exchange program with Toyota Motor Corp. Harrison received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Ohio State University and his master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Dayton.


WHERE BORN: "Dayton, Ohio."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "My father, definitely. He was a machine repairman for General Motors and gave me a strong blue collar work ethic. Also, Curt Clawson at Hayes Lemmerz and AlliedSignal; he's definitely been a mentor over the years."

LAST BOOK READ: "A Death in the Family by James Agee. He's a distant relative."

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Sincere, earnest, and enthusiastic."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "We're excited about the future in green transportation. The rising cost of fuel and increased interest in climate change means we're in the sweet spot. Azure's focus is on commercial fleets and stop-and-start runs in urban areas. Technology has the ability to make a large impact on fuel. Our value proposition is a 40 percent improvement in fuel economy and 30 percent improvement in greenhouse gas emissions and reduction in cost to fleet companies."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "I love my iPod."

FAVORITE PLACE: "Walloon Lake in northern Michigan."

FAVORITE HOBBIES: "I like sailing and golfing, and I like to do both of those with my family."

FAVORITE FOOD: "That is a hard one – peach cobbler."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "I still try to play hockey. I lace them up and get around the rink."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "As a guy who made a difference."

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.