Maj. Torano Harris is tenacious

As executive officer (XO) for PEO EIS Program Executive Officer Ross Guckert, Maj. Torano Harris coordinates and tracks the PEO’s priorities and plans. An XO’s job is tough and can be stressful, but Maj. Harris performs it with an upbeat attitude. A 50-year-old with a youthful spirit and today’s #PEOEISTeammateTuesday, Harris answered questions about his career and life.

Why did you decide to join the Navy?
After graduating from high school, I was working at fast-food restaurants. My life wasn’t going anywhere. A friend of mine joined the Navy and gave a recruiter my name. I enlisted in the Navy and served for nine years active duty and five years in the reserve. After that, I joined the Army National Guard.

I have Navy active duty, Marine civilian and Army active-duty experience. When I get out of Army active duty, my plan is to find an Air Force civilian job, so I can cover all the branches. [Laughs.]

Where were you born?
I was born in Hawaii. When I was eight years old, I moved to Newport News, Virginia to live with my grandmother, Thelma. I stayed in Newport News until I was 23 years old. I ended up back in Hawaii in 2000 and stayed there until 2017 when I moved back to Virginia.

Although I am not a native Hawaiian, I love Hawaii’s spirit of aloha — it’s a projection of good feelings and love to others.

How did your parents meet?
My dad served in the Army briefly. He met my mother, a Japanese native, when he was deployed to Okinawa.

If you could have coffee with anyone, who would it be and why?
I would love to have coffee with my grandmother. She was very strict. She didn’t allow me to play any sports in high school because she wanted me to keep my head in the school books. I graduated from high school with honors.

Three years after I graduated from high school, my grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer. When she passed, I was heartbroken. It left a big void in my life. 

My grandmother was a cafeteria worker at a middle school and didn’t make a lot of money. She demanded that I give her some of the money I made from summer jobs. At the time, I resented it. But when I attended college, I saw the financial-aid papers she signed. I discovered that she only made $5,000 a year. She supported a household that included my great-grandmother, my uncle and me. She gave so much to so many people. I would want to have coffee with her so I could thank her for sacrificing so much to raise me.

What is the meaning of your name?
Torano is Japanese for “from or of the tiger.”

What do you enjoy doing when not working?
I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter.

I love singing karaoke. My dad played the saxophone in a local band in Hawaii called Windjammer. I get my love of music from him.

What is your favorite karaoke song?
True karaokers don’t like to sing just one song — they like to sing a bunch of different songs. One song I’m particularly fond of though is “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me.

When are you happiest?
Sometimes when I look at my 10-month-old daughter, I cry tears of joy. Just holding her brings me so much happiness.

Do you have any book recommendations?
“This Present Darkness” by Frank E. Peretti. It’s about spiritual warfare.

How would you describe your leadership style?
I am open-minded and fair. I let people shine.

Do you have any advice on how to make the workplace more inclusive?
I work for Mr. Guckert. I was brought into an environment that has already established procedures. I approached this new role by asking a lot of questions about the work. I also get to know the other people in the office. I try to find common bonds with other people.

Why have you been successful in your career?
Part of it is luck.

I always treat people with respect. I try to be considerate of everyone's feelings. That can be really, really hard, but every person's opinion matters. And if your people know that, they are more likely to tell you things they wouldn't be comfortable telling other people. I put it out there that they matter and are important. I serve them and help get them to where they need to be.

What does a good leader do?
I know the kind of leader that I like, but sometimes the leader that I don't like is a great leader for other people. Some people like leaders who are strict. For other people, that can rub them the wrong way. What makes a leader good for someone is personal and individual to that person, and just because I may not care for how they lead, that is not to say that they are not a good leader.

When have you overcome challenges?
I struggled during Officer Candidate School (OCS), but I didn’t give up. One of the flag officers in OCS didn't like me. But I persevered, and it made me stronger. I am a firm believer that everything — good or bad — happens for a reason, and that reason usually helps make you better or gets you where you need to go. In the end, I accomplished what I set out to do regardless of what he threw at me.

What’s the best advice you can give?
Be your true self.