Dana Mehnert

Dana Mehnert

President, Communication Systems, L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Years in current role: 2.5 years

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career?

I’ve learned the importance of tenacity, to never give up and to not be afraid to take risks. I’ve learned how important it is to build strong customer relationships and truly listen to understand what really matters to our customers. I’ve learned to be a student of my industry, and the importance of surrounding myself with a high-performing team with diverse perspectives.

What’s been your biggest success?

I have been honored to play a leading part in growing the L3Harris Technologies Communication Systems segment, which is headquartered in Rochester. Over the past 60 years, we have grown from humble beginnings with three engineers and a lawyer in the basement of a home on Park Avenue, to become the leading global provider of tactical communications in 2005, and continued to grow to now be a $4.7B+ organization with more than 8,500 global employees. We are the leading provider of tactical communications and night vision systems for defense, government and public safety organizations around the world.

Who have been the biggest mentors in your career?

I have been fortunate to have a variety of formal and informal mentors over my career, both the business leaders I’ve worked for and with, and leaders in our customer organizations in the military and public safety.

What are your hopes for the Rochester community this year?

My hope for the Rochester community this year is economic stability and a return to growth for our businesses and people impacted by COVID-19. I also hope for better relationships between all the stakeholders in this community, for a community built on genuine recognition of the value of diversity and inclusion and for closer cooperation between all levels of government, business and educational and community organizations to truly realize the potential of this great community.

What do you do to unplug in your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my family, enjoying the trails in Mendon Ponds and other area parks, reading and learning about military history, cooking and watching Battlebots.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 100 list for 2021. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.