HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2010-05-04 Steve Cawthron retirement
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Betsy Fields
Research & Communications Manager
bfields@leesburgva.gov
703‐771‐2734
Steve Cawthron, Leesburg’s Water Pollution Control Plant
Manager, Retires After 32 Years with the Town
Leesburg, VA (May 4, 2010) – On Friday, April 30,
2010, the Town of Leesburg said farewell to Steve
Cawthron, who is retiring after working for the
Town for nearly 32 years.
Steve started with the Town in 1978 as a Class II
Operator at the Water Pollution Control Facility
(WPCF). In 1979, he was promoted to WPCF
Assistant Superintendent and became
Superintendent in 1981. In 2004, the position of
Superintendent was reclassified as the Water
Pollution Control Facility Plant Manager, a position
Steve has held since that time.
During his tenure with the Town of Leesburg, Steve was the project manager for five major
expansion and upgrade projects at the Water Pollution Control Facility, totaling close to $100
million and increasing the facility’s capacity from 1.2 million gallons per day (gpd) to 7.5 million
gpd. Under Steve’s leadership, the WPCF received Safety Awards from the Virginia Water
Environment Association (VWEA, formerly the Virginia Water Pollution Control Association) in
1984 and 1991. In 1992, the facility was recognized with the VWEA’s award for Excellence in
Operation and Maintenance. Steve spearheaded the production of Tuscarora Landscapers
Choice, a biosolids product used by the Town and many area HOAs, golf courses and landscape
companies as a lawn treatment and landscaping fertilizer.
Throughout his career, Steve has been an active volunteer within the water pollution control
profession. He served on the Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators, a part
of the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, from 1999 to 2007,
having been appointed by Governor Gilmore and reappointed by Governor Warner. In 1986,
TOL PR 2010‐05‐04 Steve Cawthron retirement
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Steve was honored with the Enslow‐Hedgepeth Award by the Virginia Water Environment
Association for his outstanding contributions to the water environment profession. Steve is a
member of the Water Environment Federation and has served on the boards of the Loudoun
County Sanitation Authority (now Loudoun Water) and the Loudoun County Soil & Conservation
District as well as a number of Loudoun County committees.
Steve graduated from Osbourn Park High School in Prince William County and attended the
College of William & Mary in Williamsburg. Prior to working for the Town of Leesburg, Steve
was with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District in Virginia Beach and Environmental Systems
Services in Culpeper.
Steve and his wife, Donna, live in Philomont, Virginia, and have two daughters. The Cawthrons
recently purchased a motor home and plan to do some traveling after Steve retires.
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