Rick Harrington, President

Rick Harrington has over 35 years of experience in the field of electrical wiring. His career as an electrician began in the mid-seventies when he began working for his father, an electrical contractor in Santa Barbara California. From that time on through the mid-eighties Rick gained valuable experience working on numerous residential, commercial and industrial electrical projects. In the mid-eighties (having already attained the rank of journeyman electrician), Rick decided to return to school to pursue an education. He eventually moved to Tampa, Florida where he received an associate of arts degree from Florida College and a bachelor’s degree in English education from the University of South Florida.

Throughout college Rick worked part-time as an electrician to help put himself through school. During the summers he gained indispensable experience working on large commercial projects such as the Tampa Bay Convention Center and the Tampa International Airport. During this time Rick also distinguished himself as a skilled electrician and was quickly promoted to supervisory positions.

In the early nineties Rick finished his education, began a career in teaching and met and married his lovely wife, Anita. After teaching middle school for two years, Rick and his wife decided to leave the heat and congestion of Tampa for the peaceful mountains of Western North Carolina. They found a beautiful home in the Royal Pines area of Arden where they currently live.

Upon moving to the Asheville area Rick decided to go back to work as an electrician. Due to his experience and qualifications he was immediately hired as a journeyman to work on the new Memorial Mission Heart Center. He worked there through the completion of the project, after which he was hired to work as job foreman on a major addition to the WNC Agricultural Center. Upon completion of that project Rick went to work for a data and communications contractor as a crew supervisor on a large project at the UWNC Cullowhee Campus. During this time Rick prepared for the state boards and eventually took the exam for his North Carolina electrical contractor’s license.

In June of 1996, state contractor’s license in hand, Rick put an add in the local IWANNA newspaper and Harrington Electric opened for business.

Since that time Harrington Electric has rarely been at a lack for work.  Rick’s reputation as a skilled electrician and a fair and honest businessman has allowed him to retain his older customers while gaining new ones on an almost daily basis. It’s this quality reputation that lead Harrington Electric to incorporate in 2000 and has allowed the organization to grow from a one-man shop to a company of ten employees and six service trucks. Rick’s basic philosophy has always been that a customer’s satisfaction is more important than a company’s profits. He is diligent to make sure he hires employees with the same dedication to quality and service that he himself has always valued. He will be the first to tell you that the individuals who work for him are as much a part of the company’s success as anything he personally has done.

Though Rick no longer teaches in the public education system, he is very involved in the teaching program of the local church where he and his family are members.  Among other things, Rick enjoys playing guitar and writing and recording music. He also enjoys playing tennis when he has the time.