Meet Marcos!
Name: Marcos Suarez
Position: Area 4 Manager, Park Operations Division, Fairfax County Park Authority
I was born and raised in Venezuela and moved to the United States (Burke, Virginia) at the age of 16. While I was in school, I played baseball and basketball at the varsity level. In school, extracurricular activities helped me a lot to learn a new language and to exceed in my future. I graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School in 2003. After graduating high school, I worked full time and went to Northern Virginia Community College part time for many years. I am a devoted husband and father of two children, I enjoy engaging with my community as my son’s little league baseball and basketball coach, spending time at many of our county’s parks with my family, and additional outdoor activities with friends such as hunting and fishing.
I am also a park professional with almost 10 years of experience with the Fairfax County Park Authority. I began my career with the county as an athletic field maintenance worker, holding positions such as Area 2 Park and Recreation Specialist I and Turf Crew Assistant Manager before being selected as a Parks and Recreation Specialist IV. I am a former member of the Virginia Turfgrass Council and a graduate with a landscape design and horticulturist degree from Northern Virginia Community College. I continue to increase my knowledge and expertise through the county’s Leadership and Management Training Program. I joined the county with over ten years of experience as a Landscape Design and Grounds Maintenance Manager.
I have worked so many years in the service-oriented field. I love taking care of others, communicating with others and helping solve problems. Also, I love working with a group of people that are on the same path to accomplish something meaningful. As an area manager, I get to help others, manage park expectations, talk to many people and try to impact other people’s lives.
The Park Authority gave me the opportunity to start and exceed in my career as a public servant. I love the environment and the fact that we are so diverse in so many ways. I am thankful that we have a team that helps each other and that is always willing to mentor you so that you could exceed in anything that you set your mind to. I think the best thing about the Park Authority is that you get to work outside, enjoy all the parks and trails, and become one with nature and with our environment.