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With more than 20 years of experience in business development within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, Krystal Harris has mastered the art of the strategic connection, even if her family is still clueing in on her day-to-day: “I laugh because even after all this time, my family gets stumped trying to explain what I do,” she admits.

 

Harris often sums it up by highlighting the connections she fosters. “Relationship-building is at the heart of what I do,” she says. “It’s about connecting with people and organizations that would enjoy working with us and vice versa.”

 

Harris began her career in early childhood development before making a pivot to marketing within the AEC industry and getting into business development soon after. The rest is history. 

 

“I love where I work and the friends and connections I’ve made through this industry,” said Harris.

 

While many recognize STV for its roadway and bridge work, Harris is eager to showcase the firm’s full-spectrum capabilities. She joined the team at STV Inc. in Oklahoma City about two years ago and hit the ground running looking for strategic opportunities for the firm. 

 

“We can do just about everything: from water and wastewater to vertical construction management, tunneling and geotechnical engineering. The list goes on,” she said.

 

Harris is particularly energized by the prospect of transit expansion in the metro area: “Bus rapid transit and commuter rail work is an exciting new opportunity. It’s something I’ve never chased before, and it could be transformative for the city.”

 

As a longtime Open For Business Oklahoma member, Harris understands the value of organizations that serve Oklahomans while leveraging nationwide resources. 

 

“We have over 3,000 employees nationally and we are not siloed at all. We reach out to colleagues across the country every day, tapping subject matter experts throughout the org chart to help fulfill needs we have locally,” she explains. “It’s a massive benefit to have that company-wide resource at our disposal.”

 

STV maintains a team of about 40 employees in the Oklahoma City area in a hybrid work environment. When they are together, they make the most of it. 

 

“We do little things and big things, from celebrating birthdays and anniversaries to going on 20-minute daily walks outside together. We have happy hours and volunteer together to stay connected,” Harris says. “We truly want each other to succeed.”

 

Their most recent community outreach activity involved Oklahoma Humane Society’s Foster Field Trip program. The outing was a highlight for Harris, a self-professed animal lover. 

 

“We took the dogs to a local park and let them play for a few hours. It was just as great for us as it was for them,” she recalled.  “You wouldn’t know I won the lottery but there would be signs, like if I’ve opened my own animal sanctuary on a few hundred acres to give a home to animals in need.”

 

A native Oklahoman, Harris and her husband have a blended family with six children. An avid cook, golfer and traveler, her true passion remains close to her roots in childhood development: time with her only grandchild. “Every spare moment of time, I want to spend it with him.”

Stay Connected: OFBO keeps members on the pulse of the business environment in Oklahoma. For more information about renewal or membership, contact Emily Lang or Callie Collins.