Saluting the 2008 Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees
By Staff
Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. has announced the 2008 Lords and Ladies Fairfax. The tradition of honoring Lords and Ladies Fairfax began in 1984 as a way to recognize the outstanding citizens of Fairfax County. Each year, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors selects two people from each district who have demonstrated exceptional volunteer service, heroism, or other special accomplishments to receive the award.
The Lords and Ladies will be presented by the Board of Supervisors during their Monday, June 2, 9 a.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Later that evening the Lords and Ladies will be honored at a special dinner hosted by Great American Restaurants, Celebrate Fairfax, Inc., and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
LORD and LADY FAIRFAX HONOREES
AT-LARGE – George W. Lamb and Kerrie B. Wilson
George W. Lamb is active in the Sierra Club and volunteers at the Falls Church Winter Homeless Shelter. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council. He was appointed by Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly in 2002, first as the Providence District representative and now serving as an at-large county-wide member.
In 2004, George helped found Conserve Fairfax, a citizen advisory panel that assisted Chairman Connolly in drafting his 20-year environmental vision for the county, a document that evolved into the county’s award-winning Environmental Agenda.
George has played a key role in raising environmental awareness across the county through his involvement with the Tysons Corner Land Use Task Force, the Fairfax League of Conservation Voters, and other civic organizations.
Kerrie B. Wilson has been CEO of Reston Interfaith, Inc. since 2001 and has 20 years of experience in health and human services advocacy, public health policy, and nonprofit management. Prior to joining Reston Interfaith, Kerrie worked as the National Vice President for Government Relations and Public Policy for the American Cancer Society.
Since joining Reston Interfaith Kerrie has served as chair of the Human Services Coalition of Northern Virginia and as a member of both the Northern Virginia Regional Commission’s 211 Regional Planning Task Force and the Fairfax County Affordable Housing Preservation Action Committee.
Most recently, Kerrie has played key roles in both the development of Fairfax County’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness and the establishment of a day laborer employment site in Herndon. In both instances, Kerrie has been instrumental in engaging community support and involvement and has championed efforts to remove stigma through extensive education and outreach.
BRADDOCK DISTRICT – Bruce Wallachy and Tena Bluhm
Bruce Wallachy, a retired Air Force Officer and currently employed as a satellite communications analyst supporting the Department of Defense, is serving a second term as chairman of the Braddock District Council of Community Associations (BDC). Bruce is credited with reorganizing his neighborhood HOA in Kings Park West (KPW), an HOA which had become defunct, working effectively to overcome resistance and denial of the need to do this.
As BDC chairman, Bruce has made “Beautifying Braddock” a major initiative, partnering with the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Sheriff’s Office and the Braddock Supervisor to raise funds to plant trees and flowers in the medians of Braddock Road and adopting the highway for trash removal. Bruce created a Web-based information service for KPW residents to share referrals for home improvements.
In his “spare time,” Bruce serves as chairman of King Park West Community Association’s Welcome Committee, assists the Kings Park Library Garden volunteers, and sings weekly as Tenor in the choir of St. Mary’s of Sorrow Catholic Church.
Tena Bluhm, a former volunteer retiree in the Braddock District office, has been a stellar appointee on the Commission on Aging, where she served as Vice Chair in 2006 and 2007 and as Chairman in 2008. Board of Supervisor members will recall that Tena played a major role in implementing the Board’s 50+ Action Plan. She is a strong and effective advocate for senior issues and has been a presence before the Board and in Richmond. Tena is on the Planning Committee for the upcoming “Village Conference” and is bringing this concept - organizing communities to make it easier for people to remain and thrive in their homes and neighborhoods - to the Braddock District.
Tena is Secretary of the Braddock District Council of Community Associations, assisting with the planning and implementation of an annual Community Association Workshop, which provides assistance to civic and homeowner associations, and lining up speakers and programs for monthly meetings.
DRANESVILLE DISTRICT – Frank Crandall and Pamela Beck Danner
Frank Crandall has been a resident of Fairfax County for 32 years and of McLean for 29 years. He has been a member of the Board of Directors and Chair or Co-chair of the Environment, Parks & Recreation Committee of McLean Citizens Association since 1994 and served as an officer for 5 years. He has served Fairfax County as an at large member of the former Erosion and Sediment Control Review Board, for 11 years as a member of the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC), and for 10 years on the County Executive’s Deer Management Committee. He was dually trained in engineering and marine biology, and after a career in space sciences and medical information systems, has been a Research Associate at the National Museum of Natural History since 1990. He is listed in Who’s Who in Science and Engineering and Who’s Who in the World.
Pamela Beck Danner received her law degree from Georgetown University in 1977 and previously received her Masters in International Studies from American University. She first worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and in 1982 was appointed as Director of the Office of Manufactured Housing and Construction Standards. A resident of McLean, she has been active in numerous community activities, including the Fairfax County Water Authority Board, the McLean Community Center Governing Board, McLean Citizens Association, Share Inc, and McLean Chamber of Commerce. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of McLean, and currently serves on the McLean Citizens Foundation Board of Trustees, Tysons Corner Land Use Task Force, McLean and Great Falls Celebrate Virginia’s 400th Board, and Trinity United Methodist Church’s Board of Trustees. She was appointed by Governor Warner in 2002 as the Escheator for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. In 2001 the Fairfax Bar Association presented her with the Dennis Duffy Citizenship Award.
HUNTER MILL DISTRICT – B.J. Silvey and Marilyn Silvey
B.J. and Marilyn Silvey are a retired couple who have lived in Reston for over 20 years and work tirelessly as a team to improve the quality of the lives of residents in the Hunter Mill District.
B.J. Silvey supports Reston and the greater Hunter Mill District’s many charitable, civic and recreational activities. His contributions range from day-to-day participation and hands-on work, to serving as a member of the Boards of Directors of Reston Interfaith, the Reston Triathlon, the Friends of the W&OD Trail, the United Christian Parish, and as a Northern Virginia District Commander in the Boy Scouts. After losing his son during a Reston triathlon, he supported the development of safety and training tools for the free water swim. During his tenure at Reston Interfaith (RI), B. J. appointed the first chair of the Advocacy committee which expanded the role that RI could play in advocating for the poor, and helped expand RI’s resources and support from members of the business and faith communities. B.J. organizes the Reston Bicycling Club’s annual safety check for 50 to 150 cyclists; he also participates in the Reston Rotary’s Wheelchair Project.
Marilyn Silvey also supports Reston and the Greater Hunter Mill District’s numerous charitable, civic and recreational organizations. Her activities include day-to-day participation and hands-on work as well as leadership and character development for girls. She shares her expertise in public relations with all the organizations she’s involved with, including the American Association of University Women and Herndon-Reston FISH, a non-profit community organization providing emergency financial assistance, food and referral services for people in need in northwestern Fairfax county. Marilyn and her husband, BJ, co-founded the United Christian Parish, and Marilyn was a co-founder and chairwoman of Works Sunday, an annual event involving the greater Reston-Herndon faith community in charitable good works on a set weekend in August. She also has worked collecting and distributing wheelchairs for the Reston Rotary Wheelchair Project and volunteers her time as an English as a Second Language Teacher.
LEE DISTRICT – Rodney Lusk and Victoria McLeod
As Lee District Planning Commissioner, Rodney Lusk holds a volunteer job that takes more hours than many paid ones.
Rodney serves as Chairman of the Planning Commission's Capital Improvement Program Committee, Chairman of the Redevelopment and Housing Committee, and member of the Parks Committee and Environment Committee. He’s an alternate member of the Policy and Procedure Committee, School Facilities Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Rodney is an active member of numerous community organizations. He has been the At-Large Representative on the Fairfax County Park Authority. Currently, he is the President-elect of the Business Alliance of George Mason University and is Vice-Chairman of the Business Curriculum Advisory Committee for Northern Virginia Community College. Rodney is a member of the Early Stage Capital Committee for the Northern Virginia Technology Council and a board appointed member of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. He is Immediate Past Chairman of Leadership Fairfax, Inc and has been awarded the organization’s Torch Bearer Award.
In a time when community involvement is the exception rather than the rule, Vicki McLeod has an enviable civic resume. She has for many years represented her community, Pinewood Lake, on the Lee District Land Use and Transportation Advisory Committee and is also a longtime board member of her homeowner association.
Vicki is the secretary/treasurer of the Lee District Association of Civic Associations and is instrumental in planning the informative speakers program for this organization. Vicki also plans and organizes the organization’s annual awards banquet where exceptional County staff and citizens are recognized for their contributions to the community.
As if this were not enough, Vicki also volunteers at UCM, homeless shelters, and the Fairfax County/Falls Church Community Services Board.
MASON DISTRICT – David Conway and Nancy D. Hall
Dave Conway’s quiet leadership is an asset to many groups in Mason District. He is completing his 11th year as president of the Westlawn Civic Association, and ensures effective communication through regular newsletters and guest speakers. Dave and his wife, Kathy, have been Adopt-A-Highway volunteers for 8 years, and often can be seen on the weekends keeping Route 50 spruced up. Dave also served on the Fairfax County Sign Task Force for two years.
So what does Dave do for fun? He has been active with the Falls Church Concert Band for the past 13 years, serving as president and vice president of the organization. He and his wife also perform with the band at free summer concerts across Fairfax County. Dave is a steadfast proponent of his neighborhood, and is most deserving as Mason District’s Lord Fairfax for 2008.
Longtime Annandale resident, Dr. Nancy D. Hall, is an incredible asset to her community. She was president of the Poe Middle School PTA, chaired the Annandale High School All-Night Graduation Celebration, leads the Royal Homeowners Association (and hosts a not-to-miss National Night Out picnic each August), and is on the Leadership Council of Ravensworth Baptist Church. Nancy is an original member of Mason District’s dialogue on diversity and, in fact, Supervisor Gross credits her with naming the group “Kaleidoscope.”
Nancy is Executive Director of the Shepherd’s Center of Annandale Springfield, which helps the elderly live independently. Nancy’s greatest volunteer outreach, however, is found in the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), an entirely volunteer faith-based organization that, for 40 years, has provided child care, food, furniture, rental assistance, and more to needy families in the Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads, and Culmore communities of Mason District. Nancy just completed a second term as president of ACCA.
MT. VERNON DISTRICT – Frank Cohn and Susan F. Fremit
Frank Cohn has been involved in every major transportation project in the Mount Vernon District over the last several years. As Chairman of the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Association Transportation Committee (MVCCA) he established a well oiled, cohesive group of dedicated experts who evaluated and raised awareness of all transportation issues confronting the Mount Vernon District. Frank served on a committee to redesign the Mount Vernon Traffic Circle, the Woodlawn Road Replacement Citizen Advisory Committee, was instrumental in making changes to the Transportation Plan and pushing forward the creation of community parking districts. He is an unrelenting advocate for sidewalks and trails as well as rail to Fort Belvoir. Frank steered neither the MVCCA nor Supervisor Hyland wrong as long as he was at the wheel. While he is retired from MVCCA formal duties, he remains very active in the background, providing historical background information, and writing draft resolutions and letters for the committee to act upon.
Susan F. Fremit has served in crucial roles in the Mount Vernon District, ensuring citizen involvement for the residents of the Lorton area. Susan served two terms as the president of the South County Federation, the umbrella group of nearly forty community associations in the Lorton area. Simultaneously she also served as the president of her community, Lorton Station, representing over 950 homes. Performing leadership roles in both these organizations is daunting task. Through her leadership, she guided the Lorton Station community from its establishment to an active participant in community affairs and as President of the South County Federation she helped shape a burgeoning Lorton. She also served on Supervisor Hyland’s 2005 Annual Plan Review Task Force and is a member of the special Base Realignment and Closure Annual Plan Review Task Force. Susan Fremit’s willingness to organize and empower her community is a great asset to the Mount Vernon District.
PROVIDENCE DISTRICT – Conrad Egan and Lynda F. Byrne
Conrad Egan has been keenly aware of, and addressing the vital need for, affordable housing for decades. Since March of 1977, Conrad has served on the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RHA) whose primary mission is providing rental housing for county low-income families, a monumental challenge in one of the nation’s highest-income and affordable housing-challenged areas. Conrad is currently the chairman of the RHA and co-chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee which reviews progress in preserving affordable housing and recommends goals and priorities for use of The Penny for Affordable Housing Fund.
Conrad is devoted to the citizens of Fairfax County, particularly to its neediest population. During his tenure on the RHA, Conrad contributed his vast knowledge in the field of affordable housing both in the industry and on Capitol Hill. Under his leadership, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority became recognized as one of the premier housing authorities in the nation.
At the present time, the focus on effectively identifying and treating people with mental illness is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. As the Chair of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and member of the Josiah H. Beeman Commission, Mary Ann Beall dedicates herself to serving Fairfax residents with, or at risk of, severe and persistent mental illness or acute psychiatric/emotional distress, mental retardation, or alcohol or drug abuse dependence. The Beeman Commission, established in 2006, advises the Board of Supervisors on the future direction and design of the mental health services delivery system serving Fairfax County, and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Commissioners recommend changes to make the system of care more coherent, responsive, efficient and effective for adults of all ages and children and families in need of public mental health services. Mary Ann works tirelessly to empower and support all people to live self- determined, productive and valued lives within our community.
SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT – Rob Robertory and Tracy Allyn Betts
Rob Robertory has tirelessly contributed to the betterment of Fairfax County, especially the youth in the Springfield District and the local school system. Nativity Elementary School, for instance, has benefited from Rob’s leadership as he helped introduce whiteboards, laptops, visual presenters, and other computer technology into their classrooms. Rob also helped found South County Middle School Solutions Group, advocated for the community through the most recent boundary studies, and served on the South County School Safety Committee. He has also served on the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Projections Task Force and helped FCPS improve their projection methodology. In addition, he has served as his community’s Regional Affairs Chair for six years, and serves on both the South County Federation and the South Springfield Alliance.
On a wider scale Rob and his wife, Paige, work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Project Starfish in Haiti, and are currently working on building a computer lab for a school in Belize.
Tracy Betts is dedicated to improving the economic and social vitality of her community. For the past 8 years she has served on the Board of Directors and is a past President of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. She currently chairs the Economic Development Committee for the Chamber, where she provides leadership on revitalization issues for community leaders, businesses, and residents alike. Tracy has long advocated for an economic development organization for Springfield and strives to create a collaborative environment where citizens, government, and business leaders can make this happen. She has also served on the Board of her Homeowners Association (Greentree Village). Furthermore, as an avid biker and member of The Bike Lane race team, Tracy enjoys volunteering for the bicycling and trails community and teaching mountain biking clinics to women and girls.
SULLY DISTRICT – Andrew Levy and Gabrielle Levy
Mr. Andrew Levy is an extremely active volunteer in Fairfax County. In fact, he volunteered more than 1250 hours last year alone, through his role as Chairman of the Fairfax County Citizen Corps Council and numerous other organizations, including the Virginia Citizen Corps Council, the National Capital Region Volunteer Mobilization Working Group, Celebrate Fairfax, and the Fairfax County Health Department Medical Reserve Corps. He regularly shares his volunteer experiences from Fairfax County on his web page to all 50 states and 30 countries. Also, Andrew’s daughter, Gabrielle, and son, Aiden, are already young busy volunteers. His wife, Eve-Beth Levy says, “Andrew clearly understands and embraces what it means to volunteer, give back to the community and recognize others.”
Gabrielle Levy is a 5-year old kindergartner at Greenbriar West Elementary School. However, she is no ordinary kindergartner! Gabrielle is one of the youngest recipients of the Presidential Service Award, an award created by President Bush in 2003 to honor volunteers. Children are required to work a minimum of 50 hours to be eligible for the award, but Gabrielle has surpassed that with more than 100 hours of volunteer work. These volunteer projects include cleaning up the Manassas Battlefield, making cards for members of the military, firefighters and college students without parents, creating posters for senior citizen homes and doing her part in the annual Fall for Fairfax festival and Celebrate Fairfax! Festival.