Steve Mouras receives 2012 Governor’s Award for Innovation
Virginia Tech’s director of transportation and campus services, Steve Mouras, has been recognized for his exemplary service and dedication to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
He was honored during the Public Service Awards ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Richmond, Va. on July 2, when Gov. Bob McDonnell presented him with the Governor’s Award for Innovation.
Mouras was one of 225 state employees nominated for awards in eight categories: Governor's Agency Star, Career Achievement, Community Service and Volunteerism, Customer Service, Innovation, Teamwork, Workplace Safety and Health, and the "30 Day Sprint."
Mouras is credited with increasing efficiency and productivity in his work managing Virginia Tech’s parking, fleet, and alternative transportation services as well as the print shop, centralized mailing and records management programs.
“Under Steve’s leadership, the university has implemented a number of transportation initiatives. In fact, many of the university’s “firsts” in transportation have occurred during his tenure and were successful due to his oversight, including the first roundabout, parking deck, and traffic light on campus,” said Sherwood Wilson, vice president for administrative services.
“Steve’s work with our transportation program here at Virginia Tech is remarkable. His ability to advance transportation initiatives has been instrumental in accommodating the university’s growth,” said Lisa Wilkes, assistant vice president for business services.
Through several projects that will accommodate projected growth on campus, Mouras is preparing Virginia Tech for the future while keeping pedestrians safe and cutting costs. These projects include:
- The establishment of the alternative transportation program, reducing the number of employees and students competing for parking spaces on campus each day.
- The development of the tools necessary for students, faculty, and staff to purchase parking permits, appeal parking tickets, and pay fines online.
- The construction of the Washington Street roundabout, which allows for greater traffic capacity and improved safety while supporting the university’s vision of a greener, walkable campus.
- The design and construction of the university’s first parking deck.
- The installation of traffic lights in various locations on campus, freeing up several police officers who previously directed traffic at these intersections during twice daily peak times.
Mouras believes his successes at Virginia Tech are the direct result of the hard work and dedication of his employees.
“My unit is a diverse collection of departments whose common focus is providing high quality service to all our customers,” said Mouras, who was honored to learn he had been selected to receive the award. “My greatest satisfaction comes from empowering my employees to be successful at their jobs.”
By leading the innovative charge and doing more with fewer resources, Mouras has built a model that other state agencies and higher education institutions across the country are adopting.
Mouras received his bachelor’s degree from The Citadel and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Virginia Tech. He spent 20 years as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army before coming to Virginia Tech in 1995.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
