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Jennifer Van Ee has been appointed director of the Office of Government Relations, effective July 26. She succeeds Claudia Arko, who served Fairfax County with distinction until her unexpected passing earlier this year.

Van Ee brings more than a decade of experience in legislative strategy, public policy and intergovernmental affairs to her new role. Most recently, she served as acting legislative director for Fairfax County, where she led federal and state advocacy efforts in coordination with the Board of Supervisors and county leadership. In this role, she developed policy, formulated political strategies and engaged with elected officials to advance county priorities. She also managed a team overseeing government relations and policy development.

Previously, Van Ee served as deputy legislative director, coordinating legislative strategy, monitoring state and federal policy, and representing the county’s interests to elected bodies. Her work contributed to the successful advancement of several Board-supported initiatives and the development of key intergovernmental relationships.

Earlier in her career, Van Ee held positions with Arlington County's Department of Human Services, where she worked on policy implementation, regulatory compliance and interagency collaboration. She also supported adoption services, training and technical assistance programs, and federal grant initiatives in earlier roles with nonprofits and contractors serving public-sector clients.

The Office of Government Relations represents Fairfax County before the Virginia General Assembly, the U.S. Congress and regional bodies, advocating for policy decisions that support the county's legislative priorities.

Van Ee holds a master's degree in social policy from the University of Chicago and a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Trinity Christian College.

For more information about Fairfax County's positions and legislative advocacy on behalf of the county and its residents visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/legislation.

In 2015, the National Association of Counties, Council of State Governments and the American Psychiatric Association launched the Stepping Up initiative, dedicated to reducing the overincarceration of people with mental illness and improving responses to behavioral health needs in jails and communities.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted a Stepping Up resolution in 2015, and Fairfax was designated a Stepping Up Innovator County in 2019, one of approximately only 50 in the country. Locally, we have implemented Stepping Up as Diversion First.

Fairfax County was featured in the Stepping Up 10-year celebration at the National Association of Counties' Annual Conference. NACo's video highlights the county's transformation and tremendous cross-system collaboration since Stepping up was launched.

Michelle M. Kaminsky will receive her official commission as a Fairfax Circuit Court judge during an investiture ceremony on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 4 p.m. The ceremony will take place in Courtroom 5J at the Fairfax County Courthouse, located at 4110 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. The event is open to the public.

The Hon. Kathy K.L. Tran of the Virginia House of Delegates will present Judge Kaminsky with her commission. The Hon. David S. Schell (Ret.), formerly of the Fairfax Circuit Court, will ceremonially administer the oath of office.

Judge Kaminsky joined the Circuit Court in April and previously focused her legal practice on domestic relations. She was a partner at ShounBach and, before that, a partner and co-owner of Hite Kaminsky Family Law & Mediation PLLC, which she co-founded with Kelly S. Hite. She also worked as an associate at the Law Offices of Kelly S. Hite PLLC. Judge Kaminsky began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Schell.

Before entering the legal field, Judge Kaminsky worked as a high school English teacher and softball coach.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English, with honors, from the University of Arizona and her Juris Doctor from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America.

For more information or to request reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Elanna Weinstein at the Fairfax Circuit Court at 703-246-4191 (TTY 711).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

In an effort to keep active construction zones safe, the county is lowering the speed limit along a stretch of Fairfax County Parkway between I-66 and Route 123 to 45 mph and installing work zone speed cameras. Beginning in mid-July, drivers caught speeding by the new cameras will be fined up to $100. 

Warning Period Begins June 15; Fines Begin July 15
On Friday, May 16, new signs will be unveiled along the segment of the parkway between I-66 and Route 123 that lowers the speed limit in the work zone to 45 mph. As part of this project, speed cameras will also be installed along a parkway stretch between Popes Head Road and Burke Center Parkway. 

The speed camera initiative in this zone will begin with a 30-day notice period, providing motorists with time to familiarize themselves with the regulations. Warning citations will begin being issued on Sunday, June 15, then beginning on Tuesday, July 15, violators will be subject to fines up to $100. The citations, which will be sent via mail, underscore the seriousness of ensuring drivers obey laws tied to work zone safety. 

Live enforcement in this area will take place for 60 days but may be extended as construction continues should the pilot prove successful. During the enforcement period, fines will mirror what is currently in place with the county’s school zone speed cameras:

• $50 for 10-14 mph over limit.
• $75 for 15-19 mph over limit.
• $100 for 20 mph or more over limit.

About the Speed Camera Program
The goal of the Speed Camera Program is to change the behavior of drivers and make our roads safer. Speed cameras in work zones will improve the safety of our roads by protecting construction personnel and slowing down motorists, especially around these congested and vulnerable locations.

Learn more.

Government Technology magazine recently named Michael Dent, the county's chief information security officer, as one of its top 25 "Doers, Dreamers and Drivers" nationwide. 

As the profile notes, "Dent has worked to keep Fairfax County safe from cyber attacks for more than two decades. As chief information security officer since 2002, Dent has continually focused on endpoint protection, defending critical infrastructure, educating county leaders and employees, and collaborating with other jurisdictions."

Join the Board of Supervisors, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and the Fairfax 250th Commission as they kick off the Nation’s Semiquincentennial Celebrations in Fairfax County. Sunday, May 4, is the 250th anniversary of the day George Washington departed his Mount Vernon home to attend the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where he was ultimately appointed commander in chief of the newly created Continental Army. For the duration of the war, he only briefly returned to his estate in September 1781, prior to the Yorktown campaign and ultimate victory. 

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey Mckay and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck, along with Mount Vernon President and CEO Doug Bradburn, will be recognizing this moment as "George Washington" himself shares remarks on May 4 at 1:30 p.m. as part of the Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Following the remarks, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the Patriots Path, a brand-new installation of a military encampment for guests to visit year-round. George Washington, along with musicians and reenactors, will then march out the front gates to “head to Philadelphia.”

This rich visual display is befitting the ceremonial kick off of the Fairfax 250th Celebrations, which will include hundreds of events throughout the county over the next two years.

Stay up-to-date on Fairfax 250th Celebrations by subscribing for email updates.

Susan J. Stoney will be presented with her official commission as a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge on Friday, April 11, at 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Courthouse, Courtroom 5J, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax.  The public is invited to attend the investiture ceremony.

The Hon. Richard C. (Rip) Sullivan of the Virginia House of Delegates will present Stoney with her official commission, and Justice Thomas P. Mann of the Supreme Court of Virginia will ceremoniously administer his oath.

Prior to joining the Circuit Court in January, Stoney served as a judge for the Fairfax County General District Court for more than eight years. She began her legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. James W. Benton, Jr. (ret.) of the Virginia Court of Appeals. Following her clerkship, she spent two decades working as a legal aid attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia, representing low-income, elderly and disabled Virginians. From 2010 until she took the bench, she was the deputy director of Legal Services of Northern Virginia.  

Stoney earned her Bachelor of Arts, with honors, from the University of Virginia, and her Juris Doctor from the William & Mary Law School.

For more information or reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Kim Callahan, Fairfax County Circuit Court, at 703-246-4166, TTY 711.

Matt Harrison has been appointed director of the Department of Information Technology (DIT), effective Monday, April 21. Harrison will succeed Greg Scott, who is retiring after decades of service to Fairfax County.

Harrison brings more than 20 years of experience in technology leadership to his new role. Most recently, he served as director of information technology for Stafford County, where he successfully transformed IT strategic, governance, service delivery and customer service practices. Harrison led successful updates to critical IT operations, including the rollout of modernized Wi-Fi services across government and public safety locations, infrastructure upgrades and the deployment of advanced Microsoft applications and cloud services. These efforts have improved organizational efficiency and enhanced cybersecurity, infrastructure, operations and applications capabilities.

Harrison previously served as director of software engineering at GEICO Technology Solutions, where he led several cross-functional teams focused on deploying innovative digital solutions for internal and external customers. These solutions enabled significant improvements to web and mobile self-service capabilities by harnessing the power of data, AI and machine learning. His work in driving digital product rollouts, refining agile methodologies and streamlining customer service operations helped transform the way GEICO interacted with customers.

The Department of Information Technology is responsible for planning, design and implementation of information technology and communications systems for Fairfax County, including but not limited to designing, deploying and administering information systems, applications, network infrastructure, telephony, mobile communications and devices, and websites and data storage, among other information technology roles.

As director, Harrison will oversee cybersecurity, network infrastructure and the delivery of technology services that support county departments and residents. His work will support Fairfax County’s commitment to fostering innovation, enhancing efficiency and ensuring that technology investments align with strategic objectives.

Harrison holds a master’s in public administration from American University and earned his bachelor’s degree at St. Bonaventure.

For more information about Fairfax County’s Department of Information Technology, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/informationtechnology/.

Gregg Steverson has been appointed director of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT), effective immediately. Steverson, who has served as acting director since May 2023, brings nearly three decades of experience in multimodal transportation planning, operations and leadership.

FCDOT includes approximately 190 staff members across six divisions and two independent sections, overseeing key transportation initiatives that support Fairfax County’s strategic goals. Steverson will continue to oversee the county’s role in major projects such as the expansion of high-occupancy toll lanes and implementation of future bus rapid transit systems. Steverson is also responsible for managing a transportation budget of more than $1 billion, funded by proffers, grants, county funds and regional and state contributions.

Steverson has an extensive career in transportation planning and engineering, previously serving as FCDOT’s deputy director from 2019 to 2023, where he helped shape the county’s long-term transportation strategy. Before joining Fairfax County, he held key roles with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation and the Prince William County Department of Transportation, where he trained staff and managed projects, among other responsibilities. Prior to his appointment as FCDOT deputy director, he served as chief of the Site Analysis and Transportation Planning Division from 2016 to 2019.

Steverson earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Virginia. He is a licensed professional engineer and a certified professional traffic operations engineer.

Since 1977, FCDOT has served the Fairfax County community by enhancing mobility, safety and the quality of life of residents, businesses and visitors through planning, coordinating, funding, implementing and sustaining a multimodal transportation system. More information about the department is available online.

It is with deep sadness that Fairfax County announces the passing of former Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland, who died peacefully on Sunday morning, Jan. 19.

Hyland was a beloved community member who served for more than three decades as a dedicated advocate and visionary leader. He was well known for his puns, sharp legal mind and inquisitions from the dais, and for his pivotal role in saving Inova Mount Vernon Hospital among many accomplishments. As a leader who truly listened, he inspired countless individuals through his unwavering commitment to public service.

A Community Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 28, at 10:30 am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mount Vernon Highway, with a reception to follow.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay reflected on Hyland’s passing, stating, “Gerry Hyland was a tireless advocate, a compassionate leader and a dear friend to many. His vision and dedication to our community have left an enduring legacy that will continue to benefit Fairfax County for generations to come.”

McKay emphasized Hyland’s dedication to his constituents, noting his service with countless regional, statewide and national organizations. He was particularly passionate about providing services to the county’s most vulnerable residents, revitalizing the Richmond Highway Corridor and preserving the many historical properties within his district.

From 1988 to 2015, Hyland championed numerous initiatives that left a lasting impact on the county and its residents. He was instrumental in the closure of the county's I-95 landfill, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations. His efforts to keep Inova Mount Vernon Hospital open preserved critical health care services for the community. Additionally, he played a key role in transforming Lorton into the vibrant and thriving area it is today.

During his tenure, Hyland also served terms as chairman of the Virginia Railway Express and president of the Virginia Association of Counties. He was a board member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Inova Health Care Services Board. He also served as chairman of the Fairfax County Human Rights Commission and was a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions, the South County Center was renamed the Gerry W. Hyland Government Center in 2019, a testament to his enduring legacy.

Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck, who succeeded Hyland, called him a community pillar and a true patriot as well as a friend and mentor. “He was committed to doing things right for the right reasons and challenged us all to be our best selves,” Storck said.

To celebrate his life and legacy, the community is invited to honor Hyland at the 38th Annual Mount Vernon Town Hall Meeting on Feb. 8, an event he founded and cherished.

As a master of puns, Hyland left a lasting impression with his humor. At his final Board of Supervisors meeting, he shared one last pun that perfectly encapsulated his wit: “There once was a supervisor who told ten puns to his colleagues to get them to laugh, but no pun in ten did.”

Fairfax County extends its deepest condolences to the Hyland family and all who were touched by his leadership, generosity and friendship.