Susan K. McGiver

Susan K. McGiver is an award-winning business owner who continues to lead a third-generation family-owned manufacturer. The Harva Company was founded by Ms. McGiver’s parents, Harry and Virginia Kintz in 1949. In 1977, Ms. McGiver joined the company as vice president of manufacturing and took the reins as owner and president in 1991. Today, Susan’s daughter, Amber, fi lls the role of operations manager, continuing the family tradition.

The Harva Company is a certifi ed woman-owned small business that displays a commitment to quality and integrity. These traits help make the company a leader in manufacturing and engineering with an impressive client list that includes IBM, Lockheed Martin, General Electric and BAE, just to name a few. Moreover, under Ms. McGiver’s leadership, Harva is devoted to providing a workplace that encourages individual growth in a positive environment. Employees and their families have free access to a fully equipped gym, and a lunchtime walking club helps to boost morale and health. Ms. McGiver’s approach works – customers keep coming back, and the average tenure of her employees is more than 15 years.

Even the devastating flood that followed Hurricane Irene was not enough to deter Ms. McGiver. She joined her employees on the front lines, cleaning mud and debris from the machinery that is Harva’s lifeblood, vowing to rebuild. She has been a consistent advocate for expeditious government assistance drawing attention to the needs of her small business and others throughout her community.

Notwithstanding her demanding business responsibilities, Ms. McGiver has displayed a resolute devotion to her community. She has held leading roles with Bassett Hospital of Schoharie County, Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce, SUNY Cobleskill Foundation Board, and the Private Industrial Council of Schoharie, Greene and Columbia Counties. Perhaps most impressive, she has over two decades of service with the Schoharie Fire Department Niagara Engine Company No. 6.

All of her accomplishments, both professional and civic, were done while singlehandedly raising three children. A tireless worker, Ms. McGiver continues to meet head-on the daily challenges of family, business and community.