Our founder, John Penn Whitescarver, Sr,. passed away on December 3, 2020, due to complications of COVID 19. He leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Whitescarver, two sons John “Jay” P. Whitescarver, Jr. and David A. Whitescarver (Jennifer), one grandson Jesse Whitescarver and his sister Maslin Kain. John was predeceased by his parents, Lillian (Penn) and Furman Whitescarver, Sr. and brother, Furman (Pat) Whitescarver, Jr.

Born and raised in Salem VA, John graduated from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and VA Tech, with degrees in civil engineering. After graduation, John entered the Air Force Flight School in Valdosta GA. He served as Captain during the Vietnam War. After completing his tour as a B52 combat pilot, John became a Trans World Airlines (TWA) pilot. His flying was interrupted for ten years when given the opportunity to help start the newly created Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

As a charter employee of EPA, he served on the twelve-person team to create the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. His illustrious career at EPA included being in the chambers when the Clean Water Act was adopted into law, developing Effluent Limitations Guidelines, and receiving EPA’s Bronze Medal for his significant contributions to the improvement of national water quality through the successful development and implementation of the NPDES Program.

John was recognized by EPA as a national expert in the background and formulation of municipal permitting policy and program direction. He served on EPA’s Compliance Assistance Advisory Committee (CAAC), Small Business Advocacy Review Pane, and Small Business Innovative Technology Expert Review Panel.

Pursuing his passion for clean water, John founded the National Stormwater Center located in Bel Air MD in 1991 to provide training to stormwater inspectors across the nation. The Center has trained over 9,000 Certified Stormwater Inspectors and continues to promote municipal coordination of industrial and construction activates to improve the quality of the nation’s waters. He created the Stormwater Quarterly, a newsletter dedicated to the ever-changing political and legal environment of stormwater. John remained involved in stormwater at the federal level by serving as a member of the EPA Alumni Association.

Additionally, John established the John Penn Whitescarver, Sr. Foundation located at the Center's home base. The Whitescarver Foundation provides stormwater education to elementary and secondary students, College Environmental Students, and Community Volunteers.

John will be sorely missed by all. National Stormwater Center honors John by continuously supporting his passion as we strive to keep our Nation’s water clean in his memory.