Adaptability instrumental
in firm's success
Entrepreneurial
vision leads American Services Technology into top ranks of operations
and maintenance contracts industry
By Anne Straub
Brevard Technical Journal
|
The entrepreneur started American Services Technology out of his home in 1995 with a plan to commercialize government inventions. He started with a NASA technology developed to clean shuttle pipings used to carry fuel or chemicals.
The turbine brush pipe cleaner had the advantage of cleaning an environmentally sensitive area without creating another environmental hazard. The product showed potential for companies that used a lot of piping in their manufacturing process, and Eastman Kodak expressed interest.
While building the company, Harvin scored another first: He became the first client at the Florida/NASA Business Incubator in Titusville in June 1996. The setup gave him a 12-by-12-foot office, plus access to a receptionist, phone service and training from NASA.
One amenity offered a psychologically strategic advantage. "The conference room was nice because people thought your office was bigger than it was," Harvin said.
But even the $50 monthly rent wasn't enough help to get the idea off the ground. Harvin developed a pipe cleaner prototype, but getting the product to market was taking too long.
"I was going broke fast and I didn't want to wait any longer," he said.
That's where adapting to the market came in. Harvin changed the business plan to focus on operations and maintenance contracts at government sites and the revenue started to flow. The company's first contract was transporting training materials for a private company between Melbourne and Jacksonville. Then it landed its first government contract, performing fleet vehicle maintenance at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City.
After 18 months, American Services Technology had met its milestones and became the second company to graduate from the incubator. "They call it graduation, but they actually kick you out," Harvin said with a laugh. He moved the two-person company to Cocoa Village, where it has grown to a 55-employee business with plans to add another 10. Revenue has kept pace, as well: The company ranked No. 233 on the Inc. 500 this year.
The ranking used 2002 data, which showed 736 percent five-year growth to land at $7.16 million in sales.
That success is due in part to Harvin's ability to recognize when a change in course was needed, said Dave Kershaw, deputy director of the Technology Research and Development Authority in Titusville.
"The market wasn't ready for that technology so he adapted to market needs," said Kershaw, whose organization helps manage the business incubator. "He made the right adjustments and found the market for the services he could provide."
Harvin has an entrepreneur's vision and dedication, Kershaw said. "He has a contagious passion for what he's doing," he said.
His military background helps him win contracts and perform work for military customers, Harvin said. A retired Army major, Harvin, 50, worked in administrative, logistics and supplies, among other capacities in the military. "I know the language, I understand the bases," he said.
Harvin joined the ROTC at South Carolina State University while he was attending nearby Claflin University. He earned a degree in music and was a distinguished military graduate. "My mother couldn't afford to send me to school," Harvin said. "I knew I had to work hard."
Harvin grew up in South Carolina, one of 11 children of his lumber worker father and beautician mother. His father, born in 1885, was in his 50s when he married Harvin's mother. Harvin grew up watching him walk home every day covered in sawdust. "I said, I'm never going to do that," Harvin recalled. As he grew older, he grew even more determined and decided, "I'm going to own the plant."
His mother might have given him the bent toward entrepreneurialism: Edell Harvin was one of the first beauticians in Sumter, S.C. As the second youngest of the children, Harvin lost his father when he was 11 and his mother when he was 30. His older siblings tell him his work ethic, community involvement and faith remind them of their mother.
He now wishes he had known his parents better and uses the experience in the counseling he does with youth. "Know your parents," he said he tells the boys he works with through his church, Mount Moriah Baptist in Palm Bay. "Know them. Because once they're gone, it's over."
Much of his work with youth happens through the church's annual boys and men summit. Since Harvin took on leading the event, it has grown to 300 to 400 people each June, said Harvey Riley, church pastor.
Harvin has added corporate sponsors to the event and attracted community leaders in all walks of life to participate as speakers and role models. Harvin feels a particular drive to help young African American males to aspire to professional challenges. "There are people who may not know that it's possible to have a career like I do," Harvin said. "Some kids think this is not for them, it's for somebody else. I'm trying to tell them it's for you - you're the somebody else."
The congregation has affirmed Harvin's leadership by electing him chairman of the church's deacon ministry, Riley said. "He's a great family man," he said.
That priority is evident in his office, where a musical bear - a gift from his wife, Emma, on their 30th anniversary - shares shelf space with a Slinky, ready to be played with by a visiting grandchild. The Harvins have three grown children, five grandchildren and another on the way.
His influence of faith on his business is seen in the company motto posted in his office. The sign quotes Proverbs 16:9: "The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Harvin puts top priority on honesty and integrity. "To me, a company is not successful unless you have those things," he said.
Current large contracts held by the company include an administrative logistics contract with the Department of Energy in Aiken, S.C., and a procurement services agreement with Computer Sciences Raytheon at Patrick Air Force Base.
Looking ahead, Harvin and company managers are considering revisiting the company's roots and getting back into technology development, he said.
On the Web: www.americanservicestech.com
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service (updated 08/10/2001).
We invite your comments, questions or advertising inquires.
Copyright © 2003 Cape Publications.
