Teammate Spotlight: Richard Houtz -Embodying the Spirit of Collaboration and Growth
Meet Senior Controls & Automation (C&A) Engineer, Richard Houtz, who has been part of the Hargrove team for the past four and a half years. Richard is respected not only for his technical prowess, but also for his remarkable ability to foster collaboration and communication across teams. His commitment to continuous improvement and personal development, both within and outside of the office, makes him an inspiring figure at Hargrove.
Before Hargrove
Richard embarked on his engineering journey by earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Rolla in 1989. His professional journey took him from an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer position at a major engineering firm to a field engineer position at a government site. It was during this phase of his career that his interest in controls and automation was sparked.
Over the next 23 years, he contributed significantly by working mainly on pulp & paper projects. Eventually, he made the decision to take a leap of faith and move to South Carolina, establishing Hargrove’s Greenville office in 2019.
Leadership and Team Building at Hargrove
During his first three and a half years at Hargrove, Richard focused on instrumentation, leading the Instrumentation and Controls Team in the Greenville office. As the Team grew, handling design and startups and being the resource lead became a team effort, giving him the freedom to transition to Controls & Automation and follow his long-standing passion.
With the move to Controls & Automation, Richard maintained strong ties between both the Instrumentation and Machine Design Teams, showcasing his commitment to collaboration.
Never content with settling, Richard is currently working towards obtaining his TÜV certificate, which emphasizes his dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.
“There are few people I know that have the same level of integrity, professionalism, and experience as Rich Houtz,” said Kerry White, Discrete Manufacturing Industry Leader. “When Rich takes on a project, I have no doubt that it will be done on time, within budget, and with a quality focus.”
Making Waves
Beyond his professional achievements, Richard is a family-oriented and adventurous individual. Originally from San Jose, California, he has embraced the Southeast: living in Augusta, Georgia, and later relocating to Greenville, SC. Outside the office, Richard’s passion for the great outdoors extends to sailing and windsurfing – hobbies he shares with his daughter, Hannah, a colleague in the machine design group at Hargrove.
Richard’s diverse pursuits also led him to a fourth-degree black belt in Shotokan karate, a discipline he has been mastering since 1990. When not windsurfing or practicing karate, he and his family enjoy camping, seeking out the tranquility of remote and undeveloped sites.
In this short dive into his life, we can see how Richard Houtz embodies the spirit of leadership, collaboration, and continuous growth both within and beyond the workplace. His journey from Instrumentation to Controls & Automation reflects not only his adaptability but also his commitment to following his passions. As a family man, adventurer, and dedicated professional, Richard is undoubtedly an asset to Hargrove and an inspiration to his colleagues.
