Monroe Made: Daniel Harms
From the halls of Tellico Plains High School to leading a global company, Daniel Harms is proof that a Monroe County education can take you anywhere, especially when it’s paired with hard work, strong values, and a commitment to people.
A 1995 graduate of Tellico Plains High School, Daniel now lives in McDonough, Georgia, where he serves as CEO of Optimas Solutions, a global distribution company delivering supply chain and manufacturing solutions across the world. Daniel graduated from the University of Tennessee and later earned his MBA from Georgia State University. But even with a career that reaches far beyond East Tennessee, Daniel says the foundation for his success was built right here at home.
Long before Daniel stepped into boardrooms and global leadership roles, he made his mark on the football field as a Tellico Bear. Daniel still holds many football records for Tellico Plains High School. During his senior year, he led the Bears to a #3 ranking and an impressive 11–2 record, the most wins in TPHS football history. He remains Tellico Plains’ all-time leading rusher with more than 4,500 yards and 90 touchdowns.
When asked what his Monroe County education means to him, Daniel states, “Growing up in Monroe County taught me the value of hard work, dedication, and not underestimating the impact you can have on someone,” he shared. “There are so many teachers and coaches who invested in me and helped instill values and life skills that are still prevalent in my life today.”
Two educators stand out most when Daniel reflects on the people who made a lasting impact. Coach Gordon Kelley is someone Daniel credits with helping shape him through years of athletics. “He always pushed me beyond what seemed possible and never let me settle for anything less than my best.” Daniel also remembers Coach Jimmy Gilbert as another educator who made a lasting mark. While Coach Gilbert coached him in baseball for many years in Little League, it was his classroom that made the most impact. “It was his enthusiasm in the classroom and demand for excellence that I remember the most,” Daniel said.
When asked what accomplishment he is most proud of, Daniel first points to his family. “God has truly blessed my journey in both my personal and professional life,” he shared. “On a personal level, I am so blessed to have a wife, Laura, who is also an amazing teacher, who has supported me over the last 25 years and three amazing sons: Caleb, Major, and Colby,” Daniel says one of his greatest joys has been watching his sons grow into young men who value education and are building their own futures, carrying forward many of the same values he learned in Monroe County Schools.
Professionally, Daniel’s career has spanned 25 years in the supply chain field, fueled by the same principles he learned early on: hard work, dedication, excellence, and investing in people. Today, as CEO of Optimas Solutions, Daniel leads a global team with those same values at the center.
Daniel Harms’ story is a powerful reminder that the lessons learned in Monroe County classrooms and athletic fields can echo for decades, shaping leaders far beyond our borders. We are proud that Daniel Harms is Monroe Made!
