The North Carolina Transportation Hall of Fame, Inc., recently and posthumously honored James A. Moen with the Perley A. Thomas award for his contributions to the pupil transportation industry. Moen, who died of cancer early last year served as the transportation director at Guilford County Schools for 12 years.

“This award will provide Mr. Moen’s family and co-workers a sense of accomplishment and pride for his hard work and dedication,” said GCS assistant transportation director Jeffrey G. Harris.

Known to those he worked with as a mentor, friend and father figure, said Harris, Moen came from a career in the Air Force to Guilford in 1994. He immediately made his mark restructuring the department and re-evaluating efficient use of resources. Within six years, Moen had reduced the GCS fleet by 36 buses and saved the district $3.9 million.

Once walking across a table to get his point across, Moen was a regimented, no-nonsense leader who also was caring, appreciative and fostered a sense of community.

“He constantly advocated team work, equality and accountability,” Harris added. “He expected complete honesty and would forgive mistakes as long as a lesson was learned from it.”

Moen demonstrated an excellence in pupil transportation, said Hall of Fame founder David C. Robinson, through his commitment to his Guilford County Schools as well as work promoting safety programs on a statewide level.

Moen’s career is peppered with action to maintain the level of safety for which pupil transportation is known. He coordinated the first Operation Stop Arm program bringing together law enforcement in North Carolina to combat illegal school bus passing, helped establish tougher passing penalties and implemented the “Professional of the Year” ceremony to highlight professional excellence among the transportation employees.

“His total commitment to his job and his belief that nothing was impossible,” Robinson said, explaining the qualities that made Moen stand out. “His hard work and enthusiasm energized others.”