John believed his education from Webb provided a solid foundation for his 40+ years in the marine industry and beyond.  A 1975 graduate of Webb, John worked in the Washington DC area for several consulting firms in the marine industry and managed major ship acquisition programs for the U.S. Navy. He received an MBA from Virginia Tech and transitioned into the energy field. 

His final position with the government was as director of the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). At FEMP, John directed energy efficiency programs for all Federal facilities, saving the U.S. Government millions of dollars. He received several industry awards for his accomplishments at FEMP. 

Always a very creative person, John left FEMP to pursue his passion for alternative energy. He founded American Solar Inc. in 2000. John ultimately obtained several U.S. patents related to solar thermal energy and installed some of the largest solar-thermal systems in the country. He became a nationally recognized expert in solar-thermal systems, which use a building’s envelope to generate heat. 

John’s friends and family will remember him as a man with a keen mind, a gentle nature, and a tremendous sense of humor. He was always ready with a quip, which would sometimes elicit an eye roll from his wife. 

John is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kathryn McGeehan. He is also survived by four brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob (Sandi MacKenzie), Tom (Barbara Delaney), Dave (Bernadette Cunningham) and Steve (Linda McNeice), brothers and sister-in-law Jim McGeehan, and Donna (McGeehan) and Kevin Baetsen, and many loving nieces and nephews. 

John Archibald’s family established this scholarship fund in his memory, and to recognize his commitment to Webb.  The funds will be used to provide Webb students with a demonstrated financial need with room and board scholarships.