HISTORY
Our firm was originally known as Sowers, Rodes & Whitescarver, dating back to 1959. A partnership was formed when Charles "Dub" K. Whitescarver, Jr. joined the already-partnered, Elmer O. Rodes, Jr. and William A. Sowers, to provide mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering services in the Roanoke area. These professionals, leaving their old firms behind, began a practice, developing it into a firm, with a unique personality - guided by their own engineering philosophies.
The young firm started performing design services for residences, schools, churches and light commercial projects. It did not take long for the project list to include heavier commercial, educational, institutional and industrial projects. As the firm's reputation and project resume grew, the staff became extremely adept at educational projects, hospitals and correctional institutions. These project types still comprise work performed by H&O today.
Sowers, Rodes & Whitescarver cultivated a long list of clients, including architectural firms, private and public owners, and other engineers. The firm offered full Mechanical and Electrical Engineering services and incorporated HVAC, energy conservation, plumbing, fire protection, process piping, electrical power, lighting and specialty electric systems design. All analyses, design engineering and construction administration services were performed out of their Roanoke office.
With the retirement of Mr. Whitescarver, in December 2004, Whitescarver, Hurd & Obenchain, Inc. became Hurd & Obenchain, Inc., and the transition was coined: "A new name for a familiar face." Michael Hurd currently is in charge of our Richmond office which he established in 2001. JB Obenchain, Jr. leads the historic Roanoke office.