Chances are, if you’ve ever attended an event on campus – Anthony S. Watson had something to do with it. Watson, Virginia Tech’s associate director of facilities operations, building trades and grounds, is involved in just about everything that happens on campus.

Most recently, Watson and his team have been preparing for the return of students and faculty to campus as well as the clean-up of more than 3,000 cubic tons of debris left by the fast-moving, aggressive thunderstorm system that barreled through Blacksburg on Friday, June 29 with hurricane-force winds.

“If it happens on campus, I’m involved in some capacity,” said Watson who is one of only 722 staff members who have worked at Virginia Tech for more than 20 years. The university currently employs a total of about 3,000 staff members.

Watson spends the majority of his time managing the day-to-day facilities needs of a university that is larger than some small cities. His team maintains most of the campus grounds and ensures that the administrative and academic buildings are running properly. They also respond to after-hours calls for roof and plumbing leaks, electrical issues, and broken windows and doors.

Some days, you’ll find him helping prepare for football games in Lane Stadium or planning for this spring’s commencement. On other days he assists with smaller events across campus, including the annual Relay4Life activities.

“We don’t slow down, ever,” said Watson. “We run wide open year round.”

As is the case with many Virginia Tech employees, Watson’s work day often extends into the evening hours and he’s often seen on campus on weekends as well, but you won’t find Watson complaining. The opportunity to work on so many different projects and events is part of what Watson enjoys most about his job.

Memorable momentsWhen President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush visited Virginia Tech on April 17, 2007, one day after 32 students and faculty members were tragically taken from their loved ones and our community, Watson worked closely with the Secret Service.

Last school year Watson had the opportunity to work with the Secret Service again, this time coordinating First Lady Michelle Obama’s visit to campus to address graduates at the 2012 University Commencement ceremony on May 11.

Watson also recalls the 1993 Storm of the Century, also known as the Great Blizzard of 1993. Who could forget the large cyclonic storm with hurricane-force wind gusts and record low barometric pressures that, for two weeks, dumped snow across campus. Watson and his crews recall manning plows and shovels around the clock for several days before the university could reopen.

And he says he’ll never forget the day that he and a colleague were sent to remove a large concrete replica of the Virginia state seal from the brick exterior of the Donaldson Brown Graduate Life Center. Earlier in the day a student voiced frustration about the seal’s depiction of a pilgrim with his foot on the throat of an Indian. By the end of the day, the seal had been removed and the wall repaired, according to Watson.

Humble beginningsWatson’s commitment to Virginia Tech is a family affair. His wife, Geneva, works as a budget and IT manager for the Department of Human Development in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. The two were high school sweethearts who married two weeks before Watson began working at Virginia Tech.

Since then, for 23 years, he has dedicated his professional career to serving the students, faculty, and staff at Virginia Tech. Watson began his career at Virginia Tech straight out of high school in 1989 as a carpenters apprentice and has never looked back.

He was one of seven young men who were accepted into the apprenticeship program that year, four of whom still work at the university.

Their cohort was the last to complete the program, which was cut in 1993 as a result of budget restrictions. Watson is now working with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, New River Community College, and the university’s Department of Human Resources to re-instate the program.

Since then, Watson has risen through the ranks of the facilities department, holding positions as a carpenter, superintendent of the Carpenter Shop, and superintendent of Building Trades. In his position now as the associate director of facilities operations, he oversees a department of about 120 employees.

Impressive? Yes. But, for Watson, his decision has nothing to do with his title or the number of people he supervises.

It has everything to do with the people he works with and his desire to make a difference for students and employees at Virginia Tech.

“We have a really good group of folks working here in facilities; people who really take pride in what they do. There is no way I could do my job without them,” said Watson.

“Anthony is well known on campus for his sensitivity to the needs of others,” said John Beach, director of strategic initiatives for Facilities Operations. “He has demonstrated considerable skill as both a tradesman and a supervisor.”

Community commitmentIn addition to his commitment to the university, Watson has served his community well too. The father of two has coached several of the little league football, basketball, baseball, and softball teams for which his children played.

His son Luke, 20, is a junior at Radford University. At 17, his daughter Jordan is a senior at Auburn High School who has committed to play volleyball at Radford University next fall. Though Watson is a Blacksburg native, he and his family now live in Pilot.

When he isn’t working or traveling to volleyball games and tournaments across the country with his family, Watson enjoys hunting and fishing. That won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been in his office where a stuffed turkey hangs on the wall opposite his desk.

Watson was nominated for the President’s Award for Excellence in 2009 and in September of 2009 he was selected as a Staff Employee of the Week.

First published on: Sept. 5, 2012.www.hr.vt.edu/extraordinary_employees/2012/anthony_watson.html

Laura Neff-Henderson, APR, is the employee communications manager at Virginia Tech.

Anthony Watson’s commitment ensures campus runs smoothly year-round

About this seriesThe Extraordinary Employee series highlights the achievements of Virginia Tech employees who go above and beyond, making a difference in the lives of others on campus and in the community.

Anthony is well known on campus for his sensitivity to the needs of others.”

- John BeachDirector of strategic initiatives

for Facilities Operations

by LAURA NEFF-HENDERSON, APR

Anthony Watson, associate director of facilities operations, building trades and grounds, has been a staff member at Virginia Tech for 23 years.

Anthony S. Watson, associate director of facilities operations, building trades and grounds, and Johnnie E. Fitts, roofer/sheet metal worker, identify the source of a leak on the roof of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.