Facilities

Year: 2026

October 2026 F&CO Employee of the Month – Virginia Steele

Celebrating Virginia Steele as the October 2026 Employee of the Month!

Congratulations to Virginia Steele, Director of Program Management, PD&C, for being recognized as the October 2026 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Steele was nominated by Amy Milman, Executive Assistant to the VP, and Alex Izard, Associate VP.

Going above and beyond her role, Steele's incredible work ethic, dedication, and leadership were instrumental in successfully updating George Mason University’s Design Manual and developing a new Design Guidelines document. 

Unchanged since 2013, the now 800+ page Design Manual sets the standards, materials, and practices that guide the development and maintenance of George Mason University’s built environment, including equipment purchasing, renovation standards, and new construction guidelines. “As a licensed architect with professional expertise, project management, contractor and client-facing experiences, Virginia applied her deep industry skillset and institutional knowledge to tackle the challenge.” Said Millman

Working collaboratively with several units and stakeholders within F&CO and the university, “Virginia managed this complex effort with remarkable attention to detail, ensuring that the content was accurate, comprehensive, and consistently formatted throughout.” Said Iszard. “Her ability to bring together diverse perspectives and produce a cohesive final product was instrumental to the project's success.” 

At the same time, Steele took the initiative to develop the new Design Guidelines document. This resource communicates campus design elements and best practices that aren't easily defined through traditional standards but still contribute to the university's environment. “Through her expertise, thoughtful approach, and commitment to excellence, Virginia transformed this concept into a polished and valuable resource that will serve the university for years to come.” Said Iszard. 

Her ability to manage two large-scale projects while maintaining her regular responsibilities of leading and supporting her team, while dedicating extra time to ensure quality results, highlights her commitment to the success of George Mason University and will leave a longstanding impact for years to come.

Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the process here!

September 2026 F&CO Employee of the Month – Haro Wako

Celebrating Haro Wako as the September 2026 Employee of the Month!

Congratulations to Haro Wako, Fire Alarm Tech II, for being recognized as the September 2026 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Wako was nominated by Abu Monjer, Project Manager, and Christy Hogan, Senior Director of University Asset Management.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, including preventive maintenance and emergency response, Wako's exceptional leadership and dedication helped make the fire alarm replacement project in Dominion Hall a tremendous success. “His proactive attitude, attention to detail, and strong collaboration with contractors, shop personnel, OUBO, and other stakeholders helped keep the project on schedule and resulted in its completion ahead of the planned deadline.” Said Monjer. As the lead fire alarm technician on the project, Wako's technical expertise and leadership were instrumental in directing the installation of all fire alarm devices and ensuring that all system programming was properly completed, tested, and verified.

Due to Dominion Hall's role as a student residence hall, ensuring timely repairs and maintenance was critical, especially before students arrived. As Hogan explained, “Any significant delay would have resulted in students being displaced and temporarily housed elsewhere, creating substantial operational and financial impacts for the university.”

Throughout the project, Wako demonstrated his commitment to its success by working tirelessly alongside his team and diligently inspecting the work to ensure it met the university's high standards. “Haro's dedication, teamwork, professionalism, and leadership exemplify the values of George Mason University's Facilities Management organization,” said Hogan. “His efforts not only delivered a successful project but also helped ensure a safe and timely return for students to their residence hall.”

Through his professionalism, leadership, and ability to successfully balance multiple responsibilities, Wako helped complete a critical project that supports the safety and well-being of the George Mason University community. His contributions to the Dominion Hall fire alarm replacement project reflect the professionalism and excellence that reflect the core values of F&CO.

Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!

F&CO Fall Prep 2026

During the summer months, in preparation for the start of the fall semester, George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) runs through an extensive checklist to get all campuses ready. From landscaping upkeep to classroom refreshes to updating signage, F&CO ensures that each experience on campus is one of quality. Below are just some examples of how F&CO handles the operations of making George Mason University run smoothly.

September 2026 George Mason University’s Employee of the Month: Nelson Granados

September Employee of the Month ceremony for awardee Nelson Granados, Facilities & Campus Operations, and President Gregory Washington on the SciTech Campus. photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Celebrating Nelson Granados as the September 2026 Employee of the Month for George Mason University!

Congratulations to Nelson Granados, General Maintenance Tech II, for being recognized as the George Mason University September 2026 Employee of the Month! For over 20 years, Granados has been a critical part of George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus team. His colleagues know him for his outstanding workmanship and his willingness to help. For his capability and his dedication, Granados has been recognized as the September Employee of the Month. Read the full story here!

Facilities Management Professional Development Achievements

New sign on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Professional development remains a cornerstone of success within George Mason University's Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO), empowering employees to expand their expertise, strengthen leadership skills, and stay at the forefront of industry innovation. Through ongoing learning opportunities and engagement with professional organizations, F&CO employees are encouraged to build their professional portfolios while contributing to the advancement of the facilities management profession. 

That commitment to professional growth is reflected in the recent appointments of two F&CO leaders to prominent industry boards. Brian Gilligan, Director of Facilities Maintenance & Operations, and Mike Lay, Assistant Director of Facilities Services, have each been selected to serve in leadership roles with organizations that help shape the future of facilities management and the built environment. 

Gilligan Selected to ASHRAE Standards Committee 

Gilligan was selected as a voting member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), an international organization dedicated to advancing building systems, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, refrigeration, and sustainability. Through research, education, and the development of industry standards, ASHRAE plays a critical role in shaping the future of the built environment worldwide. 

“This grew out of my work in federal high-performance buildings and health in buildings research at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA),” said Gilligan. “I worked a lot with industry standard setting bodies like ASHRAE and building rating systems like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Through them, I was able to build professional networks to help develop best practices at GSA, and those networks connect me with opportunities like the new committee.” 

In his new role, Gilligan will serve on a committee responsible for developing a new standard focused on maintaining excellent indoor environmental quality in both new and existing buildings. The committee's work will address how factors such as temperature control, lighting, acoustics, and connections to nature interact with and affect building occupants. 

“Buildings are fundamentally about the people inside them. When we improve air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, and acoustics, we aren't just meeting code, we are enhancing the environments that we live and work in,” said Gilligan. “Design standards are often about avoiding harm, but they could be more than that. I think they should be about enhancing health so that people are better off for having been in our buildings.” 

Lay Appointed to VAPPA Board of Directors 

While Gilligan's appointment will help shape national industry standards, Lay's new role focuses on strengthening professional development and collaboration throughout Virginia's educational facilities community. 

Lay has been appointed to the Virginia Chapter of APPA (VAPPA) Board of Directors as Vice President for Conferences. In this position, he will help plan and support future VAPPA events, creating opportunities for networking, training, and professional growth among educational facilities professionals. 

Lay's involvement with APPA began as a participant seeking resources to support employee training during the COVID 19 pandemic. 

“I was first introduced to APPA when researching their Operational Guidelines related to Maintenance, Grounds, and Custodial work to support training from home for Facilities Management employees during the COVID shutdown,” said Lay. “This in turn led me to expand my own knowledge of facilities through the Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP) program coursework, classes, and exam to become certified, which I completed in March of 2023.” 

VAPPA is a volunteer nonprofit network of facilities management professionals serving the educational sector. The organization promotes training, networking, and career development resources that support excellence in educational facilities. 

“After certification and attending several other APPA events, I wanted to do more to support the greater mission,” said Lay. “The VAPPA events were primarily attended by Virginia state schools, where I felt I could make a difference and grow a network of professionals.” 

Advancing the Profession and Supporting George Mason 

The appointments not only represent personal achievements for Gilligan and Lay, but also strengthen George Mason University's presence within organizations that influence the future of facilities management. 

“This is an opportunity for me to help shape things at a very foundational level,” said Gilligan. “It also means that GMU's F&CO organization will have a voice when it comes to things that will directly impact how we will design and operate our buildings on campus.” 

Lay emphasized the value of professional development opportunities available to F&CO employees and encouraged colleagues to take advantage of them. 

“While my 35 years in the military as an engineer supported my general knowledge of facilities operations, going through the training and certification to become APPA CEFP qualified helped me bridge my military experience with business administration. I definitely encourage all F&CO employees to become more active in APPA or VAPPA. All F&CO employees can become members just by registering through their George Mason University account,” said Lay. 

As Gilligan and Lay begin these new leadership roles, their accomplishments highlight the many professional development pathways available to George Mason employees. Their appointments reinforce F&CO's ongoing commitment to fostering lifelong learning, supporting career growth, and building a workforce equipped to create and maintain sustainable, safe, and high performing campus environments for years to come. 

August 2026 F&CO Employee of the Month – Jorge Montanez

Celebrating Jorge Montanez as the August 2026 Employee of the Month!

Congratulations to Jorge Montanez, Zone 6, HVAC Tech III, on being recognized as the August 2026 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Montanez was nominated by Marcus James, Zone 3, HVAC Tech II.

Despite only being an F&CO employee for a little over a year, Montanez has been an excellent addition to the division, consistently going above and beyond to rapidly perform major HVAC repairs on campus. Since working here, he has completed several projects, including:

  • Maintaining all outside condenser units to run to their maximum capacity
  • Fixing HVAC units at the Globe, the chiller at the Field House, and the expansion tanks at Planetary and Taylor Hall
  • Serviced and repaired the steam generators at the music theater and Northern Neck, which had previously been difficult for others to repair due to a lack of experience
  • Replaced 2 vacuum pumps in Peterson Hall in two days that haven't been serviced in roughly 8 years

“Just in one year, he has done more work and improved more units on campus than what was done in the last ten years.” Said James.

Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!

Making Every Drop Count at the Campus Greenhouse

A new rainwater harvesting system is coming to George Mason University’s Presidents Park Greenhouse, thanks to a donation from the Society for a Secure and Sustainable Water Future, a nonprofit organization based in James City County, Virginia, and dedicated to advancing long-term water sustainability through practical solutions, sound policy, and public education. The Presidents Park Greenhouse, located on the Fairfax Campus, is managed by University Sustainability's Greenhouse and Gardens program. Alexander Jarvis, a graduate student in George Mason’s MS in Environmental Science and Policy Program, founded the nonprofit and runs it with his parents, Leslie and Tyrone Jarvis. Read More

July 2026 F&CO Employee of the Month – Martha Rodriguez

Celebrating Martha Rodriguez as the July 2026 Employee of the Month!

Congratulations to Martha Rodriguez, Housekeeper, for being recognized as the July 2026 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Rodriguez was nominated by Claudia Flores, Housekeeping Supervisor, SciTech Campus.

Accredited for her contributions to maintaining the Life Sciences and Engineering Building (LSEB) by earning the Historical Housekeeping Award, appreciation for Rodriguez has continued throughout her tenure. Ensuring a safe, clean, and functional environment for George Mason Patriots and visitors to enjoy. “She does a great job across the board and has received many compliments on her cleaning duties from the staff at the LSEB.” Said Flores.

Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!

New Living Lab Installations at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) Campus

Before

After

After years of collaborative development, two new Living Lab spaces have been completed for the Residence Hall and the Academic Teaching Gardens at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC)! The project was developed and coordinated with our Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Facilities Management (FM) Grounds team, SMSC faculty, and our contract partner Brightview.

“The creation of the new spaces marks a significant step in enhancing the landscape elements and student experience on the SMSC campus,” Erich Miller, F&CO Grounds Program Manager and horticulturist. “Great care, forethought, and consideration were taken with relation to the use of native plant species, sustainable practices, and the creation of Living Lab spaces for current and future students and visitors.”

In addition to reviving the landscapes for aesthetics, over 20 different species of native plants are expected to bloom from early spring through the fall, providing a habitat for pollinators such as birds, butterflies and bees. The new plantings will also be involved in research conducted by high school and undergrad students.

“Partnering with GMU Facilities and the SMSC faculty, we thoughtfully selected every species in the teaching garden to align with and enhance their curriculum,” said Katarina Morgan, Account Manager, BrightView Landscape Services. “Growing our partnership with [George Mason] SMSC has been incredibly rewarding. Working together to create lasting and meaningful landscapes for students, faculty and future visitors is something we take great pride in. We’re excited to continue enhancing the campus with thoughtful and sustainable design.”

The installation was completed on October 2, 2025.

June 2026 F&CO Employee of the Month – Nathan Moy

Celebrating Nathan Moy as the June 2026 Employee of the Month!

Congratulations to Nathan Moy, Building Systems Engineer, for being recognized as the June 2026 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Moy was nominated by J. Paul Ewing, Associate Director of Facilities Information Systems (FITS).

Consistently managing a diverse workload with a high level of professionalism, responsiveness, and technical expertise, making him an invaluable team member to his colleagues at the Biomedical Research Lab (BRL) and to F&CO. His outstanding performance, dependability, and significant contributions are remarkable.

Throughout his time, he's provided exceptional IT support for BRL staff members, addressing both daily operational needs and complex system issues. His calm, methodical approach has earned the trust and appreciation of BRL staff, who rely on him to maintain their system's stability and efficiency.

Moy has also taken on and continues to support several impactful projects, including:

  • Vocera Badge implementation, where he coordinated setup, configuration, user support, and system integration.
  • Security camera system upgrades, ensuring improved coverage, higher video quality, and better security for the BRL.
  • License Plate Recognition (LPR) installation, where he supports hardware deployment, configurations, and testing.

In addition to his daily responsibilities, Moy plays a critical role in server administration for high-priority systems, upholding FITS operations and life-safety functions, and ensuring reliability for essential services.

“Nathan’s ability to balance service requests, project execution, and server administration—while communicating effectively with stakeholders—demonstrates a level of dedication and technical proficiency that strengthens the entire department.” Said Ewing. “His work is consistently thorough, timely, and aligned with the needs of both Facilities IT and the BRL.”

Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!