Chief Operating Officer from EVmo to deliver Black History Month lecture at the Statler College

Michael Harris, chief operating officer for EVmo, will deliver a lecture on personal concepts he developed through self-reflection and family teachings. (submitted photo) 

In celebration of Black History Month, the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources will feature Michael Harris, chief operating officer for EVmo. Harris will deliver a lecture titled “Believe” on Thursday, February 23. The event will take place from 1-2 p.m. on Zoom and pre-registration is required.  

Story by Brittany Furbee, Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

During his lecture, Harris will be covering personal concepts developed through self-reflection and family teachings. He will also discuss life lessons such as “no one is coming (to help), when you get tired, you’ll get rid of it and it takes a cool head to win a hot game.”  

Since March of 2021, Harris has served as vice president of engineering at EVmo, a technology-enabled fleet management and rental company that connects gig drivers with electric, hybrid and delivery vehicles. He was recently promoted to chief operating officer at EVmo and also serves as vice president of operations and engineering for PDQ, a same day pickup and delivery platform.  

Harris has over 18 years of experience leading operations and industrial engineering teams in the small package pickup and delivery space and has served 12 years for a Fortune 50 national small package pickup and delivery company as an engineering manager. He also served over five years with a regional small package pickup and delivery company as the senior manager of industrial engineering.  

Harris currently serves on the industrial engineering visiting committee and Industrial Engineering Academy at West Virginia University. He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the Statler College at West Virginia University and a master's degree in business administration from Mount St. Mary’s University. 

“It is important to help students prepare for life,” said Harris. “Supporting student development initiatives are critical for the global success of business.” 

Now in its 3rd year, the Black History Month Lecture part of the Distinguished Lecture Series features individuals who have made significant contributions to their field and provide a forum to inspire and support future engineers of the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at WVU. 

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