Wednesday, September 1, 1999
Profile on Hollis Harris: the "American Dream" at its best

By JANET McGREGOR
Contributing Writer

It was apparent within the first few minutes of my conversation with Hollis Harris that a short newspaper profile would not begin to do justice to his life.

The story of Hollis Harris could be told as a history of Peachtree City — he moved to the city when the population was close to 600. His profile is also the story of Delta Air Lines — he started working and moving up the ranks of Delta in 1954 when it was still in its infancy.

The story of Harris could be one that typifies the “American Dream” at its best — his father worked in the mills of Carrollton and the family didn't have indoor plumbing until Hollis was in the 2nd grade. Another full story could be written regarding from the perspective of a successful business person.

In actuality, the story of Hollis Harris is more suited for a book. As a book is currently in the works, maybe this brief overview of the 67 year old will pique the readers' interest in the book.

Hollis Harris has literally traveled the world. “One of my goals was to go to every continent in the world,” he said. “I have been to every one except Antarctica.” He and longtime friend Joel Cowan are making plans to complete his global goal in the near future.

THE EARLY YEARS

That Harris has been a goal setter - and achiever - since his early years is clear.

As a child living on the outskirts of the Carrollton mill village, he read the Rover Boys, Jack Armstrong and envisioned all the places described in the books. He determined to travel and liked the idea of airplanes.

When his family would make the then long trek to Atlanta, he had his father take him by Candler Field, the original Atlanta airport. He built model airplanes and began working to make his dreams a reality.

Although he grew up in Carrollton, his family ties are to Fayette County. His grandfather was a railroad worker, and a community minister, living in Tyrone. His father was born in Tyrone.

Harris gets his determination to succeed honestly — his father became a Methodist minister late in life. He got his GED, and then his undergraduate degree from West Georgia College while Hollis was in high school. He did his seminary work at Emory. His father occasionally assisted at Tyrone's Hopewell Methodist Church prior to his death at age 86.

After Harris graduated from high school, he attended Auburn University, focusing originally on aviation administration. In 1951, after one year of college, he joined the army to help fight in the Korean War.

He first tried to volunteer in the Air Force, hoping to fly. However, as a result of an enlistment freeze, he volunteered in the Army. “I asked to be an airplane spotter in Korea, but they must have thought I was crazy so they sent me to Germany,” he said.

He spent two years in Germany as a battery commander in the 567th Field Artillery Battalion of the 35th F.A. Group. He returned first to Georgia, then was sent to the Pentagon.

During his brief stay in Georgia, he had his first date with future wife, Joyce Entrekin. In 1954, he made the decision to get out of the military and was discharged from the military as a first lieutenant in the artillery. He returned to Georgia and started dating Joyce steadily.

She was an 18 year-old senior in high school when they started dating, and he was 23. He took a job at Delta and started back to school at Georgia Tech, shifting his focus from aviation administration to aeronautical engineering.

In July of 1955 Joyce and Hollis married. They recently celebrated their 44th anniversary.

DELTA AIR LINES

For six years Harris attended night school at Tech and worked at Delta during the day. During his junior year at Tech he began working on projects at Delta that could be done at any time, so the airline “let me go to school full-time.”

While in school the Harris family was growing, as Patti, David and Jeff were born. Jeff, the youngest, was born in 1961, the same year Harris graduated from Tech with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering.

When Harris first joined Delta Air Lines they employed approximately 3,500 people and had less than $100 million in revenue. In 1990, when he resigned from Delta, the company employed over 65,000 people and boasted a net profit of roughly $500 million.

During his tenure at Delta, Harris “moved around.” His titles have included transportation agent in the marketing division and aircraft engineer and head of the aircraft engineering department. He has held key management roles in the facilities department, in-flight services, passenger service and operations.

Harris notes, “I always wanted to improve. I didn't want to design, I wanted to manage and I set my goals high - I wanted to be the CEO and president of Delta.”

In 1987 he became the president of Delta and was responsible for all marketing, operations, technical operations and personnel functions.

BEYOND DELTA

In 1990 Harris left Delta, in a move which surprised many, and became the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines and president of Continental Airlines Holding, Inc.

Harris says he learned a lot during his 36 years at Delta. The airline was solid and had good people. He speaks highly of the airline, its people and the relationships he built.

However, he says, “When I went to Continental it was a different management challenge. I learned more about people and crisis management in one year than during my entire time at Delta.”

The airline was close to bankruptcy and Harris was brought in late in the game to help turn Continental airlines around. When disagreement occurred in management as to how the airline should move forward, Harris chose a direction which supported the staff and pilots rather than go back on his commitments to them. The position left him at odds with the conventional views of others and ultimately resulted in a mutual decision that he end his relationship with Continental.

He, along with four partners, started an aviation consulting firm, Air Eagle Holdings, in Georgia. Doors are always opening for those with the talents Harris possesses, and Air Canada came calling. In 1992 he joined Air Canada as vice chairman, president and chief executive officer. In January 1993, he became the chairman.

Air Canada was in trouble. On his first day with the airline they announced a big loss. In 1991 the airline had lost $218 million. As an American and outsider, Harris faced some additional challenges. However, results speak volumes and Harris' success soon had the airline industry throughout the world watching.

Not one to forget past promises and commitments, Harris managed to help turn Continental around in the process of turning the tide for Air Canada.

Shortly after joining the airline, Air Canada and bidding partner Air Partners each purchased 28.7 percent of Continental.

In 1997, Harris chose to semi-retire, handing the then-successful Air Canada over to a capable management team.

With the love of airplanes and the drive of a true entrepreneur, Harris wasn't ready to stop. He became chairman, CEO and the biggest shareholder in a budding new airline, Cal Jet. Unfortunately, the airline was just getting off the ground when the ValuJet crash occurred and “at the end of the day I lost more than anyone financially.”

He then formed HLH Holdings in Atlanta. HLH is an airline and consulting business based in Peachtree City. While HLH is still going strong, Harris was once again called upon to help save another struggling airline and, as a result, is currently concentrating on his new challenge.

Earlier this year Harris was appointed chairman, president and CEO of World Airways. His goal is to do what he did at Air Canada - rescue the 50-year-old airline.

Although he was “semiretired” prior to joining World Airways, he says “I don't feel like 67. I would like to work as long as I can. If Strom Thurmond can work until his age, I think I can stay on for awhile.”

LIFE IN PEACHTREE CITY

The Harris family moved to Golfview Drive on the Flat Creek Country Club golf course in Peachtree City in 1969. They later moved to their current home located on a different Flat Creek green.

Golf is what originally drew the Harrises to Peachtree City. Some friends told Hollis about the golf course, he came, he played and returned to stay. In 1969 a portion of Golfview was dirt and Flat Creek was the only golf course in the area.

There was one community church which served the needs of all denominations including Catholics and Jews. When the various denominations built churches and the community church reverted to its original faith of Presbyterian, the Harris family stayed with the church. They are still active members at First Presbyterian in Peachtree City.

As “charter” members of Peachtree City, the families ties are woven into the history of the town. Harris served on the board of Fayette State Bank with Joel Cowan and Floy Farr. They built the bank up and sold it to C&S.

Both of the Harrises are strong supporters of the Endowment Committee for the Cultural Arts (ECCA) in Fayette County and Joyce served on the Board for a number of years. In 1997 she was recognized for her contributions to the nonprofit group. The couple have already marked their calendar to attend the ECCA's upcoming “Act of Art” membership party.

Joyce has served on the West Georgia College Trustee Board and sponsors the Joyce Entrekin Harris Scholarship to encourage students in the arts.

She is an accomplished artist and the pair's home is dotted with examples of her work. She has studied interior design as is evidenced by the couple's beautiful home. Her interest in art began at the instigation of her twin sister, who took up art as one way to help her get through a difficult time.

Joyce received a call from her one day and was informed, as only a twin can do, that “we can paint.” She can paint.

Joyce has also served on the Battered Women's Board.

The Harrises' oldest son, David, is married to Leigh Ann Baily from Fayetteville. In addition to their son David Jr. who lost his battle with leukemia in 1996, they have a 15 year old, Rachel and a 9 year old, Michael. Daughter Patti lives in Peachtree City. She is the mother of two, Jackson and Mitch.

Youngest son, Jeff, lives on Lake Lanier and has recently returned to college with the goal of changing careers.

Family is important to Joyce and Hollis. There is always time to go for a spin on the golf cart with grandsons and the doors are always open. The entire family is involved in some manner with The David L. Harris, Jr. Foundation.

While they attend different churches, faith is an integral part of their day-to-day life.

A FINAL COMMENT

While I am certainly not an expert in managing large companies, after spending an afternoon talking with Hollis Harris, I would bet that World Airways is getting ready to make a turnaround. And I know that Fayette County has certainly been enriched by the contributions Harris and his family have made.

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