Tom Harrison, president of Michigan Ladder Co.

Tom Harrison, owner and president of Michigan Ladder Co., has many ties to Washtenaw County beyond merely working in Ypsilanti's Depot Town. He grew up in Ypsilanti and said that, while he enjoyed living and traveling abroad as the managing director of Carhartt Europe, he realized after living abroad that Michigan "wasn't a bad place to be." He also wanted to be closer to family.

Harrison got the chance to do that in 2005 when Bob Nissly - part of the Nissly family that had owned Michigan Ladder since the 1920s - decided it was time to retire. Harrison said he was interested in the offer to take over the ladder company because he had always wanted to own his own business. But, he had personal reasons as well.

"It was an opportunity to come back to my roots, back to my community," he said.

When Harrison came to Michigan Ladder, he wanted to continue the tradition that had made the oldest existing ladder company in the country successful.

"I didn't come in with any pre-conceived ideas," Harrison said. "I wanted to get the lay of the land first."

Today, a little more than four years after taking over the local, family-owned company, Harrison's challenge is to guide the company through tough economic times, honoring the vision of its founders and yet looking for ways to innovate and branch out.

One tradition that continues at Michigan Ladder focuses on family. Harrison’s mother puts in volunteer hours helping around the office, including managing accounts receivable.

"We like to say we're Mom's favorite charity," Harrison jokes.

Harrison's wife Gina also does marketing for the business, and daughter Claire works in the front office.

And many of the employees feel like family, with some having spent two or three decades working at the ladder company. Former president Bob Nissly still comes in and works part-time as well.

In another nod to tradition, Harrison and a team of about 18 employees still build the traditional wooden ladders the company is known for. The team is still headquartered in a Depot Town location that was built in 1901, though several additions were made to the building over the last century.

Because of changing times, the company now offers aluminum and fiberglass ladders as well. For the future, Harrison is interested in branching out into different, but related products such as shoring equipment and scaffolding.

Background

Education: Ypsilanti Public Schools; bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University; MBA from the University of Michigan.

Family: My wife Gina and I have four children: Claire (20), Daniel (10), Alex (8) and Abby (5).

Residence: Saline.

Business Insights
Best business decision: Pursuing a career in international business before returning to Ypsilanti and Michigan Ladder. The opportunities to travel extensively and live overseas were invaluable experiences.

Worst business decision: When I've played it safe.

Best way to keep competitive edge: Continuously and relentlessly challenge yourself by being open to new ideas and new ways of doing things, in addition to pushing outside your comfort zone.

Personal hero: Theodore Roosevelt.

How do you motivate people? Lead by example, engage and empower my colleagues.

What advice would you give to yourself in college? Take more risks.

Word that best describes you: Passionate - about my family, business and issues, in that order.

First Web site you check in the morning: Several news sites along with printed newspapers and magazines. I like to be as thoroughly informed on current business and political events as I can.

Confessions

What keeps you up at night: The things I can't control, like this economy. I also have the Damoose family gene - we have a tendency to sacrifice sleep.

Pet peeve: Selfish people and self-promoters.

Guilty pleasure: Smoking cigars with my brothers.

First job: Delivering The Ypsilanti Press newspaper.

First choice for a new career: I enjoy being an entrepreneur.

Treasures

Favorite cause: Community service and involvement such as the Ypsilanti Area Community Fund, Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Leaders Group and adoption advocacy.

Favorite book: Historical non-fiction books about world and business leaders, as well as business, political and economic history. Anything by Stephen Ambrose.

Favorite movie: Band of Brothers.

Favorite hobby: Any of a variety of activities and sports with the kids, including hunting, target shooting and any sport that takes me outdoors.

Favorite restaurant: Local restaurants like Haab's, Aubree's, Sidetrack, Mac's, Gratzi and many others. We also enjoy trying new restaurants and supporting those that open in the surrounding communities.

LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter? I'm on both Facebook and LinkedIn, but not very active.

Typical Saturday: Spectator at our kids many sporting events - a great way to spend the day.

What team do you root for? Whichever team my kids are on at the time.

Wheels: F150 Lariat SuperCrew.

Who would play you in a movie? Any action hero that gets to play opposite Jennifer Aniston, or Halle Berry.