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TextLord and Lady Fairfax
The Lord and Lady Fairfax Awards Program yearly honors two volunteer leaders from each Magisterial District. The honorees are selected for their outstanding volunteer service in their home districts or for an act of heroism. This year's Lord and Lady are introduced below, and at the bottom of this page is a list of all the honorees from Mount Vernon.
Diana York, Lady Fairfax 2012
Diana York has been a long time Mason Neck resident who has been involved quietly behind the scenes leading many efforts in the South County community, especially those related to helping children. Diana has been a driving force behind the Gunston Tutoring Program, bringing together 40 elementary students and 40 volunteers who work together throughout the school year. She has also spearheaded the Gunston Christmas Mart, a program available to all Gunston students, where they can buy Christmas presents for their families. Students who are not able to afford gifts are given allowances so they can also buy presents for their families. Diana also regularly takes photos of events, students, and teachers at Gunston Elementary, which are displayed at the front of the school every day.
From the opening of South County Secondary (SCSS) in 2005, Diana has been very involved with the PTSO and has created videos that highlight the work of students, staff and families. She also had a major role in the planning of the SCSS Golf Tournament that for the last several years has raised money for student scholarships. She also helped create the Pohick Bay Invitational, an event that featured many cross country teams from all over the state. According to Dr. Jane Lipp, SCSS Principal, “Diana is our ultimate volunteer! Even though her two daughters have graduated, she continues to work and contribute to SCSS. We are very fortunate to have her.”
Her efforts don’t stop there however, Tim Rizer, the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Chairman, states “the Chamber has been fortunate to have Diana York’s professionalism and energy assist the Chamber since its beginning. Diana has assisted us by acting as its official photographer, attending every important Chamber function and photographing all of the events. Her biggest role is as the Chair of the South Fairfax Chamber’s annual signature event, the Chamber Challenge 10K Race. She has led this event for the past 3 years, and in conjunction with Vulcan Materials Company has been able to raise significant donations for the South County Secondary School and Athletic Boosters Association. Under her leadership, more than 1,500 area residents have engaged in both fun and athleticism while boosting school and community involvement.”
Diana has also made an impact by organizing the Simple Changes Derby Day Fundraiser, working on the Lorton Community Action Center Gala, working tirelessly for the SCSS Sports Booster and her children’s PTA’s. You may never see Diana on a podium with a microphone, but you have likely enjoyed and benefitted from an event that she has organized for the community.
Jim Rees, Lord Fairfax 2012
No one since President George Washington has done more to shape Mount Vernon. Jim Rees, President of Mount Vernon Estate, has successfully overseen Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens and led the campaign to bring George Washington back into the national spotlight. It was Rees' bold vision for Mount Vernon’s future that led to the development and opening of the cutting-edge $60 million, 66,700-square-foot Ford Orientation and Donald W. Reynolds Museum & Education Center buildings in 2006. During Rees’ tenure, he has led the Estate through projects such as restoring and reconstructing George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, creating a new four-acre exhibition area farm site, the continued preservation of Washington’s viewshed, and countless other important restorations to the 500-acre Estate.
Rees served as director of development and associate director at Mount Vernon from 1983 until his appointment as president in 1994. During Rees’ 29-year tenure, the staff has nearly doubled in size; and Mount Vernon’s endowment has grown from $4 million to $125 million. Today Mount Vernon receives more than one million visitors annually.
Rees currently serves on the board of directors for Fairfax County Convention and Visitors Corporation and the Piedmont Environmental Council of Virginia. He holds undergraduate and honorary doctorate degrees from the College of William & Mary and a master’s degree in public administration from George Washington University.
Former Mount Vernon District
Lords and Ladies Fairfax
Year |
Lord Fairfax |
Lady Fairfax |
| 2011 | Dale Johnson | Barbara Sullivan |
| 2010 | Linwood Gorham | Glenda Booth |
| 2009 | Gil McCutcheon | Christine Morin |
| 2008 | Frank Cohn | Susan Fremit |
| 2007 | Marvin Miller | Elizabeth I. Promen |
| 2006 | Mack Rhoades | Susan Aheron Magill |
| 2005 | Tim Sargeant | Louise Cleveland |
| 2004 | Joe Chudzik | Harriet Piper |
| 2003 | Neal F. McBride | Diane Donley |
| 2002 | Charlie Creighton | Beryl A. Harman |
| 2001 | John F. "Jack" Knowles | Irma A. Clifton |
| 2000 | Sy Berdux | Mary Jo Tandy |
| 1999 | Earl Flanagan | Queenie Cox |
| 1998 | Phil Downs | Betty McManus |
| 1997 | John Byers | Joyce D. Andrews |
| 1996 | Warren Cikins | Henley Gibble |
| 1995 | Eugene L. Krizek | Adeline R. Krizek |
| 1994 | Thomas W. Chadwick | Louise L. Meade |
| 1993 | Henry B. Norton, Jr. | Christa H. Hellberg-Cook |
| 1992 | Raymond W. Philipps | Gertrude L. Wright |
| 1991 | Colonel David Bolte | Ruth R. Freaney |
| 1990 | Arthur W. Friedberg | Anne A. Andrews |
| 1989 | Colonel Robert Hardiman | Virginia A. Weber |
| 1988 | Albert J. Perry | Emily Myatt |
| 1987 | Joseph T. Adinaro | A. Virginia Dupart |
| 1986 | Curtis Shufflebarger, Jr. | Virginia Shufflebarger |
| 1985 | Brigadier General Lyon | Helen Lyon |
| 1984 | Joseph Flakne | Eleanor Kennedy |
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