SERCAP exists to serve. Yes, in a very literal sense, we provide resources to our clients, but in a broader sense, we are here to support communities and individuals. This eye towards advocacy on behalf of those without a basic necessity is what sets SERCAP apart, and what makes our mission so special. We look for employees who reflect our same sense of duty: Jean Holloway is a great example.
Jean Holloway is SERCAP’s Delaware & Maryland State Manager. She works to increase SERCAP’s visibility in the Delmarva area, as well as ensure current projects are meeting necessary milestones and deliverables. She’s been on the team since 2016, and says,“I really like what I do and I like the idea of helping people when I can, or finding someone who can help them if I can’t.”
Jean’s core motivation has always been to be of service to others. “My father was a 45+ year volunteer firefighter and ambulance driver, [and] my mother volunteered for a number of services while owning her own business,” she explained. “They instilled the idea of being of service to me, from helping some stranger change a flat tire, to belonging to a professional or service organization. If someone has a problem, we try to help.”
This drive towards service led Jean to accepting a job with SERCAP in 2016. “[Before SERCAP] I was in a job that was comfortable, adequate, and where I could occasionally be of service to someone, but I felt more like I was taking up space than really making a difference,” Jean said. “Since coming to SERCAP, I am working harder and longer than I have in quite a while, but I am enjoying it more. It is so much more than just a job. I feel as if I’ve regained my purpose.”
One way Jean is making a difference is through the Clean Water Solutions (CWS) initiative in Delaware: a collaborative effort between SERCAP, EDEN Delmarva (opens new window), and Diamond State Sustainability Corporation. “For years housing subdivision developers have been allowed to build developments with central drain fields while supplying each lot or even each two lots with a single septic tank,” Jean explained. Reducing drainfields allowed for more saleable lots on the property, however it comes with serious consequences. The Homeowner’s Association associated with the property is given ownership and operation of the “community” wastewater system; these individuals “were usually completely untrained and ill-prepared to run such a system sustainably.”
The residents of these properties are almost exclusively low-to-moderate income, and can’t shoulder the financial burdens of failing systems and necessary upgrades & maintenance. CWS just received its first approval from the Public Service Commission to acquire a community septic system and become Delaware’s first Non-Profit utility, which will aid in providing properties such as those with functional wastewater systems without the financial burden.
When not serving the residents of Delmarva, Jean loves to read. “My Kindle goes everywhere with me,” she laughed. “I’ve run out of shelf space for hard copy books.” She also loves camping along the Eastern shore.
We’re thankful to have service-oriented individuals like Jean on our team. In just two years, she’s made a huge impact of restoring clean water to our communities, and we look forward to her continued success & service throughout her career.