News Center

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and the Fairfax County Continuum of Care (CoC) were recently highlighted in a national publication of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Emergency Housing Voucher Success Stories highlights the personal journeys and success stories of two Fairfax County residents who are receiving federal rental assistance through Emergency Housing Vouchers. The story describes the importance of partnerships between the FCRHA, CoC, the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development and nonprofit organizations — as well as the perseverance of the residents. Fairfax County and the FCRHA’s commitment to equity is also highlighted in the article, noting the importance of One Fairfax and how this was used as a foundation to equitably assist households. 

“We at HCD are thrilled by the progress Carl and Harold, and many others facing similar challenges, are making with the help of our EHV program,” said Tom Fleetwood, director, Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development. “The bravery of our program participants, coupled with the compassion and creativity of our staff, are producing results of which we can all be proud,” 

Guided by our strategic plan, the county’s work with these residents shows our commitment to providing reasonably priced housing and healthy, livable communities for the residents of Fairfax County.

Read more about Carl and Harold and their stories of securing permanent housing. 

On Tuesday, April 11, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) is expected to set public hearings to consider readopting the Modernized Zoning Ordinance (zMOD), originally adopted in 2021, and subsequent amendments. This action follows a Virginia Supreme Court ruling last month that the virtual adoption method used in 2021 was invalid. The ruling addressed solely the adoption process and did not address the content. The current situation has created some uncertainty related to previously approved and in process applications, so time is of the essence in mitigating that uncertainty.

Hearings on readoption of zMOD will likely be scheduled for the Planning Commission on Wednesday, May 3, and the BOS on Tuesday, May 9, if the Planning Commission has reported its recommendation.

Fairfax County updated its 1978 Zoning Ordinance after extensive in-person and virtual public outreach. The multi-year project was launched in 2017 to make the ordinance easier to understand and navigate, and to update and modernize land uses, including the establishment of new, more general zoning categories.

County staff held numerous in-person and virtual meetings over the course of more than three years to directly engage the community on the proposal. The new zoning ordinance was developed in multiple installments, allowing residents to provide feedback that helped staff develop the final proposal. A complete list of outreach events, community meetings and hearings dating back to 2017 is available on the county’s Planning and Development webpage.

“The board will consider readopting the updated zoning ordinance at a public hearing. zMOD was approved during the COVID pandemic through the electronic meeting policy,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “The ordinance was built on a foundation of thorough and comprehensive public input over three years. As we all learned during the pandemic, electronic meetings increased public engagement by allowing more people to participate from any location. When zMOD was originally approved, 70 speakers participated in the Board of Supervisors’ public hearing, which was open to the public and broadcast live, as are all public hearings.”

Residents and business owners can learn more at the Zoning Ordinance webpage. 

Media Relations Contact: Tony Castrilli, Anthony.Castrilli@fairfaxcounty.gov

Following a public hearing today, Tuesday, March 21, the Board of Supervisors approved a compensation increase for members of the board and the chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2024. The increase will apply to the board members and chairman elected on Nov. 7, 2023. This is the board’s first compensation increase since 2016.

Currently the chairman’s annual salary is $100,000 and board members’ annual salary is $95,000. Beginning next year, the chairman's salary will be $138,283 and board members will receive $123,283. The salary adjustment is calculated based on the market rate adjustments and average increases county employees received since the board last adjusted its salary.

The timing of salary adjustments is established by state law, which mandates that increases can only be approved after a public hearing is held and no later than April 15 of any year in which there is an election for board members. In this case the increase will apply for board members taking office on Jan. 1, 2024. 

Gabriel M. Zakkak has been appointed director of the Department of Code Compliance (DCC). He succeeds Jack Weyant, who retired this month.

Zakkak began his career with Fairfax County government in 2004 as an engineering technician and went on to serve in roles with the county’s Land Development Services agency and the Department of Planning and Development, including as a senior zoning inspector and permit applications center supervisor, before taking a position with DCC as a code compliance investigator in 2011.

In 2015, Zakkak was promoted to serve as DCC’s intake supervisor and records manager. Since 2017, he has held the position of administrative services manager with DCC, responsible for the direction and management of the agency’s four business areas while providing leadership and supervision in all areas of financial and budgetary analysis, procurement and contract administration, human resources management, information technology and customer service.

Zakkak has a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix and a master’s in public administration from George Mason University. He also holds numerous certifications in building inspections, property maintenance, human resources, and records management.

The Department of Code Compliance investigates neighborhood quality of life complaints involving most zoning, noise, property maintenance, building, fire, blight and grass. The department consolidates many of the county’s code enforcement activities into a single agency.

DCC responds to more than 8,000 complaints each year related to outdoor storage, multiple occupancy, property maintenance, unpermitted construction and other zoning and building code violations. Its mission is to promote, protect and maintain a healthy and desirable living environment in Fairfax County.

To learn more about the agency, visit the DCC website.

Betsy May-Salazar has been appointed executive director of the McLean Community Center (MCC). Her appointment was approved by the MCC Board of Directors at their meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14. She succeeds MCC Acting Director Evan Braff.

Most recently, May-Salazar served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of the National Building Museum. She has worked for the National Building Museum in various capacities since 1995.

In her role as senior vice president and COO of the National Building Museum, May-Salazar was directly responsible for all operations and financial oversight, managing an annual budget of more than $8 million and serving as chief of staff. She was integral in all aspects of leading the museum, including strategic planning, budget development and management, board relations, program management, human resources and staff oversight. She was key in all museum planning including shaping the museum’s programmatic direction, ensuring fiscal stability, and developing strategy for increased visibility, attendance and financial growth. She directly supervised finance, human resources, administration, museum shop, great hall rental and IT services and worked in tandem with the programming, marketing and fundraising teams.

“On behalf of the McLean Community Center Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Betsy as our new executive director. Her extensive experience managing operations, strategic planning and development of compelling programs for the public, along with her longstanding ties to McLean, position her well,” said MCC Board Chair Barbara Zamora-Appel. “I look forward to working with Betsy to expand our reach, cultivate partnerships and make the McLean Community Center the best it can be for our community.”

Prior to her work at the National Building Museum, May-Salazar was program director of the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, where she was responsible for planning programs including community outreach and educational programs, publications, exhibitions, annual design awards and lecture series.

The McLean Community Center was built and is funded by residents of Greater McLean through a real estate tax surcharge. MCC offers activities for adults, teens and children, including a wide range of classes, lectures, study tours, camps, art exhibits, theater performances and specialty shows. The center also sponsors community activities and events and includes the 383-seat Alden Theatre, McLean Project for the Arts galleries, studios, meeting and conference space, classrooms and a commercial kitchen. MCC also operates the award-winning Old Firehouse Center, the first-of-its-kind space for teens in Fairfax County.

May-Salazar has a bachelor’s in philosophy in interdisciplinary studies from Miami University and a master’s in arts in American studies from George Washington University. She and her family are longtime residents of McLean. Her appointment is effective Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Philip A. Hagen has been appointed director of the Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget (DMB). He succeeds Christina Jackson, who will continue as the county’s chief financial officer, to which she was appointed in 2021.

Hagen has served as the department’s deputy director since 2019. In that capacity his work was focused on the development, presentation and monitoring of the county’s operating budget. Hagen led the analysis of complex fiscal issues impacting multiple county agencies and collaborated on the review of county agency personnel requirements and the development of employee pay and benefit policies.

Additionally, Hagen was responsible for the daily operations of DMB, including the development of new systems and automation and improvement of various agency business processes, as well as maintaining the department’s budget and overseeing human resources activities.

From 2017 to 2019, as the agency’s budget services coordinator, Hagen coordinated the development of the county’s operating budget as well as the annual and quarterly budget processes. He also supervised the team responsible for maintenance of DMB’s systems; the data integrity process; budget schedules and resolutions; and compliance with legal requirements including advertising the budget and tax rate.

Hagen began his career with the Department of Management and Budget in 2010 as a budget analyst and previously worked in real estate appraisal including with the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration.

DMB is responsible for coordination of the county's annual budget process, including the financial forecast; development of budget guidelines; review of agency requests; presentation of recommendations to the county executive; preparation of the Advertised Budget Plan; support of deliberations by the Board of Supervisors; and preparation of the Adopted Budget Plan, which exceeds $8 billion for all funds, including over $4 billion for General Fund Disbursements. The department has been recognized with the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 36 consecutive years.

Hagen has a bachelor’s in finance from the University of Florida and a master’s in public administration from George Mason University. His appointment was effective Nov. 19.

To learn more about the agency visit the DMB website. 

Rebecca L. Makely has been appointed director of the Department of Cable and Consumer Services (DCCS). She succeeds Michael Liberman, who retired earlier this year. 

Makely began her career with Fairfax County government in 2001 as a consumer specialist in what was then the Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection. She was later promoted to accountant and financial specialist positions and in 2016 was promoted to Consumer Services Division Director with DCCS. 

As the Consumer Services division director, Makely managed a portfolio of four branches with 21 employees: consumer affairs, regulation and licensing, meeting space management and event support, and administrative services. 

Since early 2022, Makely has served as acting director of DCCS. In that role she oversees a team of 57 and a budget of more than $20 million; is the county’s cable television administrator — responsible for the county’s cable franchises, enforcement of technical standards and customer service regulations and service negotiation among other duties; directs the production and broadcast of programming and government meetings via Channel 16, the county’s cable television station; and manages county consumer services.

DCCS comprises three divisions: Consumer Services, Communications Productions and Communications Policy and Regulation. 

Consumer Services mediates consumer and tenant-landlord issues, conducts outreach, regulates taxis and towing, issues certain business licenses, and supports meetings and events at the Fairfax County Government Center. 

The Communications Productions Division operates Fairfax County Governmental Channel 16 and the Fairfax County Training Network (FCTN). Channel 16 televises and streams government meetings and produces informational programs for the public. The division also televises training and programming for employees on FCTN. 

The Communications Policy and Regulation Division negotiates cable franchise agreements and is responsible for regulatory oversight of the county’s three franchised cable television providers.

Makely has a bachelor’s degree in Business from Pensacola Christian College and holds a Certified Public Manager accreditation from George Washington University. Her appointment was effective Nov. 19.

To learn more about the agency, visit the DCCS website.
 

Five county employees were recognized with the A. Heath Onthank Award for Merit, the highest honor awarded by the county to its employees, at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Sharon Arndt
Arndt led the development and implementation of a COVID-19 vaccine equity strategy to reach populations at high risk for contracting the virus and for experiencing worse health outcomes due to historical and systemic marginalization. Her hard work led to 717 equity clinics, accounting for 3.6% of COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as contact with over 18,000 county residents. Under Arndt's leadership, there were hundreds of vaccine equity clinic events, enhancing the health and well-being of thousands of county residents.

Keisha Dotson
As the NCS Division Director who oversees the Coordinated Services Planning Call Center, Dotson led the adaptation and creation of the county and community’s basic needs response, helping to disburse over $90 million dollars to county residents for rent, utility, and food assistance. She created new policies and procedures, as well as additional services that improved public assistance by working collaboratively with the court system, community providers, houses of worship, and county stakeholders to respond to the unprecedented needs facing Fairfax County residents.

Amy Ginger
Ginger led the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority's federal policy interactions, persuading HUD to do business differently, facilitating approval of the trailblazing, first-of-its-kind One University redevelopment which will provide 240 new affordable housing units for extremely low and low-income families and seniors. One University was outside of Ginger's usual duties as it involved a unique, once-in-a-career situation which was concluded successfully thanks to her tremendous skill, knowledge and thoughtful commitment to public service.

Dwayne Pelfrey
As Transportation Division Chief, Pelfrey managed the county’s public bus transit system, the Fairfax Connector, leading a team of 30 county and over 800 contract staff across all key transit service functional areas – planning, operations, fleet maintenance, facilities, safety, and customer service – throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. With a focus on equity and disadvantaged communities, Pelfrey ensured safe transit for critical infrastructure workers and residents and commuters reliant on public transportation in a role that required him to be available endless hours for more than a year. His tireless work undoubtedly improved lives.

Lisa Thompson
As a Facility Coordinator, Thompson took on the project of the Next Steps Family Shelter, repairing and decorating 19 units to provide safe, decent, and welcoming units for families in crisis. She spent every workday, and often weekends as well, at the project site communicating with contractors and coordinating with others in the cleaning and enhancement of units so they could be used as emergency sheltering. Her endless efforts, along with her compassion and empathy for her community, allowed this project to flourish in its mission of providing decent living spaces for those in need.

Christie Ann Leary will be presented her official commission as a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge, on Friday, Oct. 7, at 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Courthouse, Courtroom 5J, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. The public is invited to attend.

At the investiture ceremony, The Honorable Eileen Filler-Corn of the Virginia House of Delegates will present Leary with her official commission and Chief Judge Penney S. Azcarate of the Fairfax County Circuit Court will ceremoniously administer her oath. Leary previously took her oath of office on March 1, 2022.

Prior to joining the Circuit Court in 2022, Leary served as a substitute judge for the General District Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court for eight years. Leary practiced law for 21 years before taking the bench, and in 2011 she co-founded the law offices of Leary Law, PC, where she focused her practice on criminal defense, personal injury and civil litigation matters.

Leary, a native of Fairfax, earned her Bachelor of Arts in History and Government from the College of William and Mary and her juris doctor from George Mason University School of Law.

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

Media Contact: Crystal.Santos@FairfaxCounty.gov

Tracy Strunk has been appointed director of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). She succeeds Barbara Byron, who retired earlier this year.

Strunk began her career with Fairfax County government in 1998, as a planner with what was then the Department of Planning & Zoning, where her work included development review in all areas of the county and culminated with serving as a member of the Tysons Core Team, supporting the major replanning effort for Tysons and processing the first zoning cases filed under that plan.

Strunk went on to become a Deputy Director for the Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization, where she provided oversight for the Tysons/Reston Metro Corridor Development Branch, whose work included development of urban design for Tysons and Reston Metro Corridor areas and review of public facilities in Tysons.

Most recently, Strunk served as director of DPD’s Zoning Evaluation Division, which is charged with processing all zoning applications submitted to the county, and formulating recommendations through staff reports to the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors and Board of Zoning Appeals .

The Department of Planning and Development provides guidance on land use, development review and zoning issues to decision-making authorities including the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission, and is responsible for various permitting and approval functions in the land development arena. The department consists of three major divisions: the Planning Division, the Zoning Evaluation Division and the Zoning Administration Division, and two sections—Community Revitalization and Urban Centers, as well as support functions including human resources, information technology and mapping.

Strunk began her career in land use in in 1995 in South Carolina, where she served as a regional planner with the Lowcountry Council of Governments.

She holds a bachelor’s in sociology from Northwestern University and a master’s in regional planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.