06 Jan Harry Doyle Retires
After more than four decades of leadership, Harry Doyle is retiring from his role as Senior Partner at MODUS.
Harry’s journey into engineering began long before titles or licensure. Growing up in Waterloo, he spent his childhood building forts and piecing together minibikes—early signs of a mind drawn to how things work and how to make them better. Today, Harry still explains his work simply:
“I design all the insides of a building that people use.
I make buildings safe and bright and warm and cool.”
That clarity—and humility—have defined his career. Harry earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1978, began his professional career at Johnson Controls, and joined MODUS in 1980. Over the next 30+ years, he helped guide the firm through growth, technical advancement, and an ever-changing industry—ultimately serving as Senior Partner and playing a central role in MODUS’s long-term success.
One of the first lessons many people remember learning from Harry didn’t come from a drawing set or a design review. It came from a book he often referenced when welcoming new team members: Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson.
Harry frequently pointed new team members to the book because its message mirrored his own worldview. The story’s simple metaphor—that change is inevitable, and those who adapt early fare better than those who resist—became a quiet philosophy at MODUS. Harry understood that markets shift, technologies evolve, and firms either move with that reality or get stuck waiting for the past to return. His leadership consistently reflected that mindset: stay alert, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to move when the “cheese” changes.
Equally foundational to Harry’s leadership was a principle he repeated often—and lived daily:
“Good business is done among good friends.”
Harry didn’t treat that as a slogan. He lived it. He built relationships slowly, valued trust over transactions, and believed that long-term success came from mutual respect and genuine partnership. Clients became collaborators. Colleagues became friends. That approach shaped how MODUS works—with each other and with the people we serve—and it remains a cornerstone of the firm today.
From a technical standpoint, Harry’s career is exceptional. He is one of the few engineers in Iowa dual-registered as both a Professional Mechanical Engineer and a Professional Electrical Engineer, and over the course of his career he has held professional engineering licenses in nearly 20 states. His experience includes decades of complex system design and deep expertise in boiler and steam systems, making him a trusted resource across the firm and the region.
While Harry is retiring from his role as Senior Partner, he will continue with MODUS in a part-time capacity, providing high-level design oversight, mentorship, and guidance to the engineering team. His knowledge, values, and approach to problem-solving will remain an integral part of the firm.
This moment marks the closing of an extraordinary chapter and the continuation of a legacy. MODUS is deeply grateful for Harry’s leadership, friendship, and enduring influence—and proud to carry forward the principles he helped define.
