James Harris

Corporate Development Director

Tucson, Arizona, United States

About

As a driven and results-oriented business development manager, I assemble and lead teams to understand and grow businesses through strategic partnerships and merger and acquisition activities. I help grow Rain Bird’s leadership in and commitment to The Intelligent Use of Water™. Rain Bird Corporation is a leading technology manufacturer and provider of irrigation products worldwide, offering the industry’s broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports events, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the globe. Rain Bird also partners with retailers and water agencies to provide solutions, education and training to help achieve near- and long-term water resource management goals. Prior to business development and marketing leadership, I was an experienced product and project manager, having worked on IoT products, the accompanying software specifications, graphic design, user interface and mechanical design. I also worked in other home improvement product lines including Underground Irrigation, and Builder’s hardware. Before my marketing experience, I was an award-winning sales manager in new home construction and retail channels. While in new construction, I worked directly with national home builders like Richmond American Homes, distribution accounts, and designer showrooms. I have an Executive MBA from Eller College of Management, University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University. I have found business and life lessons in preparation for multi-sport races and climbing mountains. Putting together a single race needs months of training and preparation. The joy of personal excellence swallows up all the planning, sweat, and recovery.

Experience

  • Rain Bird Corporation (11 yrs 8 mos)
    • Director Corporate Development
      May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

      • Worked on acquisitions, driving corporate development. • Coordinated new business onboarding to achieve synergy targets. • Evaluated and led strategic partnerships and private label agreements to enhance market presence. • Conducted technology scoping to align industry advancements and company goals.

    • Global Marketing Manager
      Mar 2021 - May 2025 · 4 yrs 3 mos

      Global Marketing Manager for Rain Bird Consumer Products.

    • Senior Product Manager, IoT Controllers
      Dec 2020 - Feb 2021 · 3 mos

  • Product Manager, Security and Reinforcement Hardware at Spectrum Brands
    Oct 2012 - Nov 2014 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    Lead category specific new product development, product training, market communication, data management, and competitive analysis for over 3,000 skus in the home improvement space.

  • Stanley Black & Decker , Inc. (6 yrs 5 mos)
    • Assistant product manager, Security Hardware
      Jan 2012 - Sep 2012 · 9 mos

    • Assistant Channel Marketing Manager, Promotional Events and Other Retail Accounts
      Jan 2011 - Jan 2012 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Managing Other Retail acccounts

    • Wholesale Territory Manager, New construction door hardware sales
      May 2006 - Jan 2011 · 4 yrs 9 mos

      Account management and new construction sales through builder contracts, hardware specification, prospecting, architect outreach, and solution consulting.

  • Black & Decker HHI (2 yrs 1 mo)
    • Retail Regional Sales Manager, Home Depot Door Hardware Sales
      Apr 2005 - May 2006 · 1 yr 2 mos

      Managed indirect service companies, developed merchandising plans, and developed promotional plans.

    • District Sales Rep, Home Depot Hardware and Plumbing Sales
      May 2004 - Mar 2005 · 11 mos

      Serviced and maintained relationships with 20 Home Depot stores in OR and WA. Drove product sales growth through off shelf merchandising vechiles and sales promotions.

  • Public Relations Intern, Media Management at SCO
    2004 - 2004 · Less than a year

    Media placement research and reporting.