Built From Within, Growing Through Leadership
Smart company growth is often the result of strong strategic vision, time-tested and proven relationships, and capable leaders ready to build what comes next. For Harper General Contractors, a full-service general contracting and construction management firm headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, the last several years have consisted of meaningful expansion across market sectors, services, and regions.
As Harper has grown, our projects have also expanded in complexity and scale. This has created new opportunities for experienced leaders to guide our company forward while preserving the culture that has carried Harper for generations. The recent promotions of several key leaders reflect that balance: preparing for what is ahead while staying rooted in the values that define Harper.
Jared McMullan’s promotion to Regional Director is a strong example of Harper’s commitment to investing in proven leaders and creating roles that support future growth. In this new role, Jared will lead our Upstate Environmental Division teams, focused on fostering relationships with current and future clients and providing leadership for our project teams. Our environmental operations in the Upstate now spans over 35 active project sites employing over 150 people. With more than 15 years of experience as a water and wastewater infrastructure project manager, Jared combines years of technical experience with a client-first approach and knack for making connections with everyone he meets. When asked what the promotion means to him, Jared shared, “I’m honored to take on this new responsibility and grateful for the trust placed in me. To me, this role is about serving our team, developing future leaders and ensuring Harper continues to grow while maintaining the culture and values that make us special.”
Our Commercial Division has also grown in both size and complexity. Neil Wilson has been with Harper for almost seven years and has recently taken on the new title of Director, Project Management. Neil plays an integral role in nearly every Harper Commercial project, providing guidance throughout the entirety of projects and serving as a mentor to many across the organization. One of the most notable projects demonstrating Neils’ leadership is Unity Park. The success of this four-phase project was in part due to Neil’s strong work ethic and commitment to his team and clients. With over two decades of construction experience, his promotion has enhanced Harper’s project management capabilities, ensuring consistent, quality project deliveries as expansion continues.
With safety at the forefront of all we do, creating consistency in our systems and alignment across all divisions and regions is a larger priority. As Safety Director and military veteran, Derrick Cain leads the company’s safety program by promoting a culture of shared responsibility. With more than a decade of construction experience, Derrick leads a team of three Safety Coordinators and five Safety Managers, ensuring sufficient and quality safety coverage. Reflecting on his new role, Derrick shared, “At Harper General Contractors, safety is more than a policy, it is a core value that guides every decision we make and every project we build. We are committed to protecting our employees, trade partners, clients, and the communities we serve by ensuring everyone has the training, resources, and authority to recognize hazards and work safely every day.” Harper feels grateful to have a strong leader at the forefront of such a critical part of our business.
Harper’s need for strong leadership surrounding strategic business development, external marketing strategies, and brand image consistency, led to hiring the first Director-level marketing position in 2021. Five years later, Caroline Meis is growing into her role as the Director of Brand & Strategic Communications. Having dedicated her entire career to the AEC industry, she has extensive communication, strategy, and leadership experience. She excels in spreading Harper’s mission and vision – internally to employees and publicly with those outside the organization. Since her recent promotion, she has grown her team by four new roles and continues to mentor new hires while fostering growth with her longtime employees. Her promotion has strengthened Harper’s ability to communicate recent changes and growth while simultaneously reinforcing the values that will never change.
Speaking to these exciting promotions, Caroline shared, “I’m grateful to the leadership team for their trust and investment. The success of implementing an expansion and strategic plan is ultimately driven by the people, projects, and relationships behind it, and we’re fortunate to be surrounded by some of the best in the industry at Harper.”
As Harper continues to grow, our focus remains the same, staying true to the values and principles that define who they are, while supporting our expanding operations so we can continue to deliver the best quality for our clients. Our mission of “building up our communities, clients, and each other by building trust into everything we do” continues to guide every decision that is made. By investing in its people through recognition and promotions, Harper is prepared for the future.
Main photo (top of page): Chris & Cami Photography
Headshots: Reel Video & Stills | Brian Erkens
