The Fairfax County Park Foundation Board of Directors voted unanimously to accept the nominations of Ben Aiken, Paul Berry, Mark Buenavista, and Alyssa Keefe as board directors of the fundraising arm for the Fairfax County Park Authority at the Jan. 21, 2025 Park Foundation board meeting.
Benjamin G. Aiken, MPA, is a civic innovator and public sector leader with over 16 years of experience strengthening local government operations in Northern Virginia. As Deputy Director of Fairfax County's Department of Code Compliance, Aiken champions data-informed decision making and inclusive community engagement to enhance quality of life for all residents. His commitment to environmental stewardship and equitable access to community resources aligns with a belief that strong public spaces are essential to building vibrant, connected communities.
Paul D. Berry is a former public school teacher, World Bank and IADB alum, and now serves as Vice President at Aegis Mobile. He attended Brown University where he studied pure mathematics and later obtained graduate degrees from the University of Geneva, and the University of Chicago. Berry has a long history of public service, and in 2018 Gov. Ralph Northam appointed him to an advisory role in the Office of the Governor. The policy agenda Berry oversaw impacted nearly a million Virginians and addressed health, housing, education and economic needs throughout the state.
Mark A. Buenavista, AIA, AICP, CCM, is a planner and registered architect with the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development, currently overseeing the department’s program to develop and finance affordable housing and community facilities serving households with low and moderate incomes. Buenavista holds a bachelor of science in architecture and a master of architecture from the University of Virginia, as well as a master of business administration from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.
Alyssa D. Keefe, MPP, serves as Senior Vice President of Policy and rejoined the Federation of American Hospitals in December 2024. She has held senior health policy positions at the American Hospital Association, Catholic Health Association of the United States and the National Coalition on Health Care. She holds a bachelor of science in public policy and speech communications from Syracuse University and a master of public policy from Georgetown University.
Gary W. Kirkbride, Senior Vice President, Dewberry (ret.) is recognized for FCPF board service spanning three terms through December 2025. He was instrumental in helping the Park Foundation initiate long-term investments and the FCPF Forever Fund to endow the greatest needs of future Fairfax County parks.
The Fairfax County Park Foundation supports the Fairfax County Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants, and creating partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet our community’s needs for park land, facilities, and services. To learn more, visit the Park Foundation webpage or call 703-324-8532.