Blank image

MEET OUR FOUNDER

Jeff Harrington

Kind. Generous. Honest. These are just a few of the characteristics that Jeff Harrington’s colleagues and peers use to describe him as a leader, as an engineer and as a person. 

Throughout his career, Jeff worked tirelessly to develop lasting relationships with clients and to maintain a work environment that drives loyalty and cooperation among his employees. 

His dedication is evident through his long-time involvement with the NFPA and the SFPE Foundation, plus countless hours spent delivering guest lectures in classrooms and presentations at conferences.

After 34 years of guiding Harrington Group, Inc. as Founder, President and CEO, in December of 2020, Jeff rolled up his drawings, shut down his desktop, and entered the retirement phase of his career. 

Career

Career

Jeff’s career began in 1977 when he graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis on  fire protection engineering. He started out doing property loss control engineering, and nine years and three firms later he ventured out on his own to create Harrington Group, Inc. 

Jeff founded Harrington Group, Inc. in 1986, and it is now one of the most respected firms headquartered in the Southeast that is dedicated solely to fire protection. The firm is an industry leader in a wide variety of fire engineering services including fire protection system design, property loss control, and post-loss investigation. 

Jeff is a frequent author and lecturer on an array of fire protection engineering topics and is a nationally recognized expert, having received numerous awards for his contributions to the fire protection engineering industry. He has been a Fellow in the Society of Fire Protection Engineers since 2006.

Impact

Impact

We at HGI are proud to have the trust of our clients and colleagues, and the company’s well-established reputation as one of the best in the industry which is built on Jeff’s core values of honesty, integrity, service and competence. 

In addition to providing unparalleled knowledge and service in fire protection, Jeff also took the time to invest in his employees and helped those around him draw on their strengths without tripping over their weaknesses. He’s known for leading by example with the mentality of “the buck stops here,” and he was always willing to put in the hours, the miles and whatever else it took to deliver on a promise to a client. 

When reminiscing on their years working with or for him, a common thread emerged among those who know Jeff — he makes an impression. His calm demeanor has a way of putting people at ease, and he effortlessly conveys both his expertise and his humanity upon first meeting someone. 

Legacy

Legacy

In the months leading up to Jeff’s retirement, HGI grew to almost 50 employees, nearly doubling, as Jeff intentionally and meticulously put new positions and processes in place to ensure a smooth transition as the company entered the next phase. 

New team members, including those who joined HGI after Jeff’s retirement, enthusiastically describe HGI as the company to be a part of if you want exposure to all aspects of fire protection--That’s the legacy that Jeff built, and we’re honored to carry that legacy forward by growing our team, increasing our impact and continuing to embrace and uphold those core principles woven throughout Harrington Group. 

Blank image

MEET OUR FIRST EMPLOYEE

James M. Rucci

Jim Rucci’s interest in fire protection engineering began in college and his entire career has been dedicated to the field. He has been working in the fire protection engineering industry since 1977 and has become a nationally recognized expert in fire alarm system design, CO2 and clean agent gaseous extinguishing system design, code analysis, foam fire suppression, and electric power generating facility fire protection. 

Jim joined the company in 1989, as “co-pilot,” and his dedication and hard work helped HGI to grow exponentially. In the early years, Jim helped HGI develop new work related to data center fire protection design and commissioning, spending much of his time on the road. Through highs, lows, and personal sacrifice, Jim Rucci helped guide HGI into an era of sustainable success. 

He is a principled man who never compromises on his beliefs. Professionally, his unwavering mission is to go the extra mile for every client and for our firm. By his leading through example, that mission has become a tenant of the firm’s core principles. 
Career

Career

Jim Rucci, Principal Emeritus & Executive Vice President of Harrington Group, is a registered fire protection engineer who has been working in the industry since 1977. He has become a nationally recognized expert in fire alarm system design, carbon dioxide and clean agent gaseous extinguishing system design, building and fire code analysis, foam fire suppression, and electric power generating facility fire protection. Jim is a member (alternate to Jeff Harrington) of the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Technical Committee on Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems, which is responsible for three separate NFPA standards: NFPA 12, Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems; NFPA 12A, Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems, and NFPA 2001, Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems. He is also an active participant in the activities of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).

Impact

Impact

Jim’s tireless dedication to the clients and people of Harrington Group has not only contributed to the company’s success, but also set a standard that will continue to be upheld for the life of the company. His core values of commitment, hard work, and trust set the foundation for how HGI functions daily. 

Harrington Group is a family, and each member that joins strengthens our dedication to these values. Jim’s diligence, professional excellence, and wisdom have impacted not only HGI and the company’s success but also the individual people that have had the opportunity to work alongside him.