Doug Harris, President and CEO of HE&M Saw, is a leader shaped by experience — not just in business, but in life. From long days in the family garage learning manufacturing basics to high-intensity military training, competitive athletics, river rafting, and racing cars, Doug’s story is anything but ordinary. Today, he stands at the helm of one of America’s most respected band saw manufacturers, continuing a legacy that began with his father’s dream and has grown into a nationally recognized brand.

Doug's grandfather came to America through Ellis Island, eventually settling with his family in Minnesota before moving to San Francisco. That immigrant spirit of perseverance took root in Doug’s father, Gerald R. Harris, who founded HE&M Saw — short for Harris Engineering & Manufacturing — in 1964 in Livermore, California. Gerald, an engineer by trade, worked during the day and built machine parts in the family garage at night. Doug and his brother were expected to help from an early age. Gerald half-joked that it was “family bonding time,” but the lessons were real — Doug learned how to run machines, solve problems, and work hard. As the Harris garage-turned-machine-shop grew louder and more productive, the neighbors grew less enthusiastic. Eventually, the complaints started rolling in — apparently not everyone appreciated the symphony of grinding metal and welding sparks at all hours. Realizing the company might be more welcome in an industrial setting, Gerald moved the business and machines to Hayward, California.

At the same time, Doug was forging a strong identity as an athlete. He began competitive swimming at age 8 and continued through 18, spending his weekends either at swim meets or in the shop. Martial arts became another pillar in his life starting at age 14, and he would later go on to become an amateur boxer, martial arts instructor, and referee — roles he held until age 58.

After graduating high school, Doug worked as a machinist and attended college part-time on athletic scholarships. However, by his own admission, he was more interested in physical pursuits than academics. Searching for direction, he briefly worked in sales — selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners door-to-door in the Bay Area. There, he met a man who had served in the Army Special Forces. Inspired by the man’s mindset, Doug decided to pursue that path. He passed all the required tests for the Special Forces pipeline and enlisted in the U.S. Army.

However, as Vietnam wound down, Doug was instead placed in the Army’s Veterinary Corps — a position that didn't fit his personality. He approached his sergeant, expressing his concerns, and was told that if he stuck it out, he’d be reassigned to jungle training in Panama and be put back on track for the Special Forces pipeline. Doug agreed and was sent to a mentally and academically grueling school where only about 27 out of 165 initial candidates graduated. The pace was relentless, and the information overload tested every limit — but Doug made it through. Despite the accomplishment, he was reassigned to Virginia Beach instead of Panama. He found himself in a support role within the military medical field, not the active-duty path he had envisioned. When the Special Forces opportunity eventually reopened, Doug realized his heart was no longer in it.

Still, the military had a lasting impact on him. Doug credits the military with giving him the discipline, focus, and direction he needed to succeed in life. He says he could have never completed college without it. It showed him that he could take on any obstacle that came his way — and that often, the key to progress is simply putting one foot in front of the other.

After completing his service, Doug returned to school full-time. Over the next six years, he earned his degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from San Jose State University, accumulating enough credits to nearly finish a minor in mathematics. His first job out of college was as an engineering intern at a plastics plant in Illinois.

It was during this period that Doug stumbled into a new adventure — river rafting. A friend introduced him to a professional guide company, and out of 400 applicants, only 15 completed the intense three-month training program. Doug finished at the top of his class, earning the #1 spot. For several years, he worked as a professional river raft guide in multiple locations, further developing the resilience and leadership that would later define his business career.

At one point, Doug even passed the Navy’s flight exam and considered becoming a pilot. His father encouraged him to find a way to balance both lifestyles — pursuing a career in the family business while continuing to fly with the same level of passion. Doug agreed and joined HE&M Saw in 1982 as a Design Engineer, working closely with both engineering and manufacturing teams.

Doug flew as a business pilot for many years and has logged approximately 4,500 hours of flight time. He has been flying for close to 50 years and remains an active licensed pilot.

From there, his rise was steady and strategic: Regional Sales Manager in 1985, National Sales Manager in 1989, Vice President of Sales in 1994, President in 2003, and CEO and Principal Owner in 2005. Under Doug’s leadership, HE&M Saw has grown into a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing powerhouse based in Pryor, Oklahoma, with around 200 employees. Doug modernized the facility, implemented lean manufacturing practices, and expanded product offerings — all while keeping design, engineering, and manufacturing rooted in the U.S.A.

Doug sees himself as a coach more than a traditional CEO. He motivates his team to stretch beyond their comfort zones and realize their full potential — a philosophy shaped by his years in sports, the military, and personal development. He’s a very intense and passionate person, channeling that energy into everything he does, whether in business, athletics, or hobbies. He’s also an avid outdoorsman, licensed pilot, and passionate car enthusiast. Doug began autocrossing at age 16 and says he doesn’t remember a life without cars. After autocrossing, he became a competitive SCCA road racer with a national license. He remains an active racer and still participates when he can. He’s also involved in several car clubs such as the Alfa Romeo Club, and Kit Car Club.

Doug’s love for cars eventually led him to explore opportunities that merged business with passion. At tradeshows, he began seeking out products to attract hobbyists and discovered Femi, an Italian company producing compact, portable saws. After a trip to Italy to meet with Femi’s leadership, Doug forged a partnership to bring their products to the U.S. Through creative marketing campaigns and targeted outreach, HE&M Saw gained attention — including from a TV production team. Rather than settling for a brief commercial, Doug proposed a long-form project. That collaboration became the 2019 Sam’s Garage project restoring a 1954 Hudson Hornet — the same kind of car his father once owned.

The success of the project turned into an ongoing partnership, and in 2022, Doug became a co-owner of PowerScope Productions, working alongside Sam and Julie Mahdavi to create automotive content with real impact.

Doug also gives back through service on advisory boards for Workshops for Warriors and First Pryority Bank. He is an active member of the Metals Service Center Institute, the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, and the Association for Manufacturing Technology.

From military ambitions to engineering innovation, and from river rapids to racetracks, Doug Harris brings a unique blend of grit, curiosity, and leadership to everything he does. His path hasn’t been linear — and that’s what makes it powerful. Today, he continues to build on his family's legacy, driving HE&M Saw forward with the same energy, integrity, and vision that first echoed from the family garage over 60 years ago.

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