Inside Spring Automation Leadership: Matt Harvey, President
We're excited to kick off our Leadership series with our President, Matt Harvey, who joined Spring Automation this past January. With a strong focus on strategy, quality, and people, Matt brings over a decade of industry experience and a deep commitment to values-based leadership. The door opened to joining Spring Automation in 2024 —a decision that brought new energy and passion to an already impressive career.
When asked what he enjoys most about his role, the answer was simple: the people. Collaborating with team members from different backgrounds, developing strategies together, and seeing plans executed successfully are all core to Matt's daily motivation. He shared, "With a good strategy and a team that refuses to fail, it's amazing how much you can accomplish in a short time." He finds joy in building a plan with his team and seeing everyone contribute to the strategy.
Defining Leadership
"Lead by example and with integrity. Care deeply for your people and understand their needs. Set the vision and empower the team." This guiding philosophy shapes his approach every day. To him, leadership means setting direction and creating an environment where others can thrive and feel empowered. Adaptability is key in a role that often encounters shifting schedules and changing project demands. By staying agile, developing reliable processes and roles, and using data to make decisions, the team is finding new ways to stay ahead.
One critical aspect of the job—though often invisible to customers—is maintaining quality. Through thoughtful selling and strong communication, his role ensures customers understand the true value of working with Spring Automation. He stays aligned with the customer's goals through regular operational efficiency meetings and direct communication with key stakeholders throughout the process.
Rooted in Connection
Reflecting on the transition to President at Spring, he said, "This opportunity represents not only a new chapter in my career but also a chance to work alongside a talented, innovative team that is helping shape the future of our industry! I want to build a solid relationship with the Spring team and our customers and create memories together that will last a lifetime. Success is something you can be remembered for, and that's important. However, the intimate, meaningful impact you have on people is the legacy I want to leave behind." It's part of what makes Spring's approach stand out: we lead with relationships, stay agile, and do everything we can to meet customer needs—even when that means getting a little scrappy. If there's one piece of advice for those just entering the industry, it's this: "Listen. Take the time to soak things in from those that have already been there and done it. Find an anchor in a person that you can trust and lean on them for their knowledge and wisdom."
Outside of work, he’s a drummer—something not many people know. He’s also a God-fearing family man who loves to fish and values time with loved ones. While he may come across as serious at first, once he's comfortable, he’s really a big teddy bear. A self-starter by nature, he’s highly driven and stays motivated by outworking the competition. For him, it's not about one standout project or moment—it's about consistently setting goals with the team and achieving them together. That shared success is what fuels him.
What Attracted Matt to Spring Automation?
- Collaborative Leadership: After meeting with the Spring leadership team, Matt was inspired by their passion for both the company and its people. He observed a group of leaders blocking and tackling for one another, demonstrating exceptional collaboration and support in their efforts.
- Interest in Controls: Although not a controls expert, Matt has always been intrigued by this area and is eager to learn more. Matt is excited about Spring's focus on selling comprehensive solutions rather than just products.
- Established Relationships: Matt already had strong connections with many of Spring's customers, giving him a valuable head start in building trust and deepening those relationships.
- Fresh Perspective: He looks forward to bringing an outside viewpoint to enhance our business.
- Customer Obsession: Matt is passionate about customer service and believes that the Spring team shares this commitment, which will help drive positive results for everyone involved.
Leading with Purpose: His Leadership Philosophy
Matt believes in:
- Leading with Humility: Recognizing the contributions of others
- Giving Grace: Understanding that everyone makes mistakes
- Leading by Example: Demonstrating the behavior he expects from his team
- Empowering the Team: Encouraging others to take initiative
We’re thrilled to kick off the Leadership Spotlight Series with such an inspiring look into Matt’s journey and leadership philosophy. Stay tuned next month as we continue to highlight leaders at Spring and the departments behind them—showcasing the people who make Spring Automation what it is.
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