2024 40 Under 40: Colten Harris

Nine years into his career with the city of Springfield, Colten Harris was tapped to run the same division he interned with as a student. That role as principal engineer of construction inspection led into his current role, as the city’s superintendent of streets. Harris says his team of 130 handle emergency services like snow and ice removal and maintaining city infrastructure – representing a $16 million annual budget.

Harris, 34, wasn’t sure until the end of his freshman year in college what career path he would take, but says, “It is funny to look back on it now, to ever think I was going to be anything but an engineer.”

In 2019, he became a licensed professional engineer in the state, and in 2022 was named Missouri Society of Professional Engineers Young Engineer of the Year.

Harris says he’s motivated by building things that improve lives and by developing leaders on his team at every level.

What about your job would shock people? I am an administrative hearing officer. Duties include determine the findings, administering fines, swearing people in and accepting evidence into the court.

Best productivity hack? Listening to leadership and management audiobooks during my morning routine and drive into work.

What did you learn the hard way? People don’t care what you know until they know that you care. Investing time to develop soft skills pays off in ways technical skills never will.