Remembering James S. Moulthrop, P.E.: A Lifelong Advocate for Pavement Preservation

James S. Moulthrop, P.E., who dedicated his career to advancing pavement preservation and recycling, passed away on August 15, 2025. Moulthrop served as executive director of FP2 Inc. from 2009 until his retirement in January 2022 and was a key figure in shaping modern approaches to pavement sustainability.

“The industry lost a stalwart, and many of us lost a friend and mentor in the passing of Jim Moulthrop,” said FP2 president Dave Henderson of Asphalt Materials, Inc. “Jim’s contributions to our industry have left a lasting mark and he will be deeply missed. Dani’s and my thoughts and prayers are with Marty and the family during this difficult time.”

Moulthrop’s influence spanned both public and private sectors. He began his career with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in the 1970s, where he rose through the ranks to become state maintenance and state materials engineer. His early focus on asphalt materials and pavement systems laid the foundation for a career devoted to sustainable infrastructure.

Throughout his tenure in the industry, Moulthrop held roles with several leading companies, including Lubrizol, Exxon Chemical Americas, Koch Materials, and Fugro Roadware. He also contributed to the profession through active service on FHWA and ASTM advisory committees and numerous industry boards.

A consistent champion for pavement preservation, Moulthrop emphasized the value of using the “right treatment to the right road at the right time” over the traditional “worst-first” repair strategy. He played a central role in securing federal support for preservation treatments such as chip seals, fog seals, slurry seals, micro surfacing, and both hot and cold in-place recycling. During his time with the International Slurry Surfacing Association, he worked closely with FHWA to broaden agency understanding and backing of pavement preservation methods.

Moulthrop’s leadership and commitment earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the FP2 Hall of Fame in 2012. On his retirement, he received Hall of Fame honors from AEMA, along with special recognition from ARRA and ISSA.

He is survived by his wife, Martha “Marty” Moulthrop, and their children Jamie, Meg, and Molly.

A full retrospective on Moulthrop’s career and contributions will appear in the Winter 2025 issue of Pavement Preservation Journal.