Robert Harris Named Interim CEO at Dialectic Engineering
Dialectic's board of directors has appointed Robert Harris, P.E., as interim chief executive officer (CEO). Harris has been with Dialectic since 1993...
Kansas City, Missouri – Dialectic Engineering has announced Chris Larson, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Board Chairman, will retire effective Dec. 31.
For more than three decades, Larson has guided Dialectic into a nationally respected firm with projects across multiple industries throughout all 50 states. In January 2021, Larson will transition to Founder, assisting administration and helping with a handful of clients.
Larson believes one of the indispensable keys in cultivating Dialectic’s legacy has been his steadfast resilience to meet and resolve obstacles. He launched the company, then known as Larson Binkley, during a 1988 recession, with a philosophy that an economic downturn is an optimal time to start a business. From the outset, he knew his agility to problem solve was essential for Dialectic to survive, grow and – ultimately – thrive through multiple challenges, including the current pandemic.
“I’ve seen a lot and worked through many hard patches,” he said. “It’s always been difficult when you’ve got something like the economy tanking for no particular reason. You have to resolve that with what you’ve learned and experienced.”
Headquartered in Kansas City with an office in Austin, Dialectic is a full-service MEP design and consulting firm providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering design services nationwide. Dialectic serves its clients in the distribution, multifamily, retail/restaurants, entertainment, senior living, hospitality and charter schools/higher education spaces.
Looking to the Future
Larson’s initial retirement announcement in January coincided with the promotion of three company veterans to Dialectic’s new C-suite: CEO Greg Trees, COO Joe Hillebrenner and CBO Marcus Howell. With this new leadership team in place, Larson envisions the firm’s future will be defined by expansion and success:
“The company is on solid ground to really grow,” he said. “I think with Greg, Joe and Marcus at the helm, and other experienced people in key places to lead, I think they’ll do very well.”
Larson also views the firm’s commitment to exceptional quality work as a key building block for both past and future:
“I’m proud of what we took to the marketplace, and that is honestly good design work,” Larson said. “This shows in the loyalty of people we have. There’s a lot of brand recognition out there and I think a legacy has been built on that. People recognize that we’re not the inexpensive guys on the block, but if you want to get a job done right, we’re the guys you want to have.”
“I think that’s the legacy I leave behind,” he added. “Expertise matters, care matters and creativity matters.”
About Dialectic Engineering
Founded in 1988 with offices in Kansas City and Austin, Dialectic is a 100% employee-owned, nontraditional mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering firm. Recognized as one of Kansas City’s Best Places to Work in 2020, Dialectic brings buildings to life across a broad range of verticals. Learn more at dialecticeng.com.
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