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Our NSBE Founders: The Chicago Six

Anthony Harris

Anthony "Tony" Harris is president and CEO of Campbell/Harris Security Equipment Company (CSECO), a manufacturer of contraband, explosives, and “dirty bomb” detection equipment. Primary customers include the US State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the US Customs and Border Patrol. CSECO products are also used by domestic and international law enforcement agencies. Prior to acquiring CSECO Mr. Harris was vice president of marketing for Calpine Corporation headquartered in San Jose, California. There he was responsible for brand management, marketing strategy development and execution, new product development, advertising and sales training. Before Calpine , Mr. Harris was vice president of National Account Services and Western Region sales at PG&E Energy Services in San Francisco. He has also been vice president of marketing and sales for Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and president of Standard Pacific Gas Line, Inc.

CSECO is not Mr. Harris’ first encounter with entrepreneurship. He has been president and CEO of a Silicon Valley start-up venture, StyleChoice.com and has also been president and CEO of Sonoma Ford/Lincoln Mercury. Mr. Harris is the founder of the National Society of Black Engineers and currently serves as Chair of its National Advisory Board. He is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, and serves on the board of directors of the Oakland Museum of California, and the advisory board of One California Bank. He earned his BS in mechanical engineering from Purdue in 1975 and an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business in 1979. He was named a Purdue Outstanding Mechanical Engineer in 1999. On February 22, 2008 Tony was awarded the distinction of Distinguished Engineering Alumnus by Purdue University.

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