Career and Business Highlights

1969-82

Teacher, musician, nonprofit professional

1982-85

Apprentices with Chape Harris as locksmith and home improvement contractor. Becomes licensed contractor in Dallas as “Iris F. Harrell Remodeling.”

1986

Forms Harrell Remodeling Inc., in Menlo Park, Calif. 1987 revenue: $280,000

1989

Joins first national peer-review company; has been involved in peer-review groups ever since. Revenue: $481,000

1991

Awarded Remodeling Big50. Hires Ann Benson as operations manager; develops new systems for operations and production. Revenue: $1.5 million

1992-present

HRI receives more than 80 design and construction awards, including awards for women in business and construction, employee-ownership, and green business practices. Harrell teaches design and remodeling courses at community colleges; speaks at national industry conventions. Fred Case Award nominee in 2007.

1993

Launches www.harrell-remodeling.com. Begins integrated marketing plan that includes aggressive media outreach, homeowner workshops, and “Ms. Fix-It” programs for Girl Scouts. 1995 revenue: $2.1 million

1996

Hires Ciro Giammona (now general manager). Hires first full-time estimator and project manager. Revenue: $2.9 million

1997

Builds new office space in Menlo Park. Revenue: $3.5 million

2001

Launches HRI employee stock-ownership program. Expands to larger office in Mountain View. Revenue: $8.3 million

2007

HRI’s biggest year ever; revenue $11 million. 2008: $10.1 million

2009

Launches HarrellCARE (Construction & Repair Experts) division. Home of Harrell and Benson receives several awards for green/universal design.