By Emily Williams
When Mike Mouron was first told he would be receiving the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Jemison Visionary Award, it was a complete surprise.
He wasn’t even aware he had been in the running for the award, which is given annually to someone who has gone above and beyond to help the city.
“I don’t think I realized the magnitude of it,” Mouron said. “And then, when the president of the chamber of commerce talked about it being tantamount to being the citizen of the year … that raised it to a whole new level. It almost raised it to a level I’m not sure that I am worthy of receiving.”
There are a lot of people who do many things for the city, Mouron said.
He will be honored with the award at the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Luncheon, to be held Jan. 30 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel.
Native Son
The entire experience has been a humbling one, Mouron said, “especially since I’m a native.”
He has lived almost his entire life in Mountain Brook. He spent most of his childhood living on Euclid Avenue near Crestline Village and graduated in Mountain Brook High School’s first graduating class.
“My wife, Kathy, and I have three sons, and all of them live in Mountain Brook with their wives and children,” Mouron said. “That’s three sons, three daughters-in-law and eight grandchildren.” That’s 16 people with the Mouron name living in the city, along with his mother-in-law and his sister-in-law.
When Mouron’s former classmate and friend, Stewart Welch, was elected mayor of Mountain Brook, Mouron was called upon to serve on the city’s Planning Commission – his first foray into local government. Since Mouron was a real estate developer – he founded Capstone Development Partners in 1990 – it was a perfect fit.
A Bridge to Service
Outside of lending his contributions to the planning commission, Mouron has been able to do a little something extra for the city he loves.
In 2018, the Mouron Family Foundation donated funds to help pay for a pedestrian bridge over Shades Creek in Jemison Park, which was installed and opened in January 2019.
“Through my work with the city, I became aware that there was a gap between what the bridge was going to cost and what the city had accumulated,” he said. “So, we were happy to step in and make up the difference.”
The bridge serves as an alternate route for park visitors who do not wish to brave the stepping stone path.
“My sister, who is not clumsy, stepped on a wet stone one time and cut herself badly,” Mouron said.
Preferring to remain outside of the spotlight, the family’s foundation doesn’t typically put its name on anything they do. It typically sponsors college scholarships for the children of Mountain Brook first responders.
When Mouron was told he could donate the bridge funds in honor of another group, that sealed the deal. Therefore, the foundation’s plaque on the bridge pays homage to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
In addition to thanking those who serve, Mouron wanted it to be a reminder for his grandchildren when they cross the bridge that their family greatly respects those who serve.
“I am passionate about our armed forces,” he said. “I never had to serve. My sons have never had to serve.
“So, I think realizing that we could dedicate it to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces made it special for us. That’s why I put the family foundation name on it. I want the people who have served who cross that bridge to know that my family at least is very appreciative of what they do.”
Veterans have noticed, he added. Mountain Brook resident retired Gen. Charles C. Krulak, 31st commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, wrote Mouron a letter after seeing the plaque.
“He said that he and his wife do the trail all the time and how much it meant to him to have somebody dedicate it to the men and women of the armed forces,” he said. “I kept that letter. I don’t keep a lot of things, but I kept that.”
