Public Affairs

On Friday, April 23, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed Kevin Davis to the position of chief of the Fairfax County Police Department. Deputy County Executive for Public Safety Dave Rohrer has been acting as interim since former chief Edwin C. Roessler retired in February. Davis’s appointment is effective May 3.

Davis served as the City of Baltimore’s police commissioner from 2015 to 2018. He had previously served as chief of police of Anne Arundel County, MD, from 2013 to 2014, and as assistant chief of the Prince George’s County, MD police department from 1992 to 2013. Most recently he has worked as director of consulting services for GardaWorld.

 “As this nation looks to transform policing to make the community safer for everyone, we have the opportunity for a fresh perspective to further our work on police reform in Fairfax County. After extensive outreach with the community and stakeholders, the board had a clear idea of the characteristics and leadership styles that would be needed in our next chief,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “After thorough interviews, the entire board is confident that Kevin will continue Fairfax’s work on police reform, build on the deep community involvement and relationships with stakeholders, and improve morale within the police department. He is recognized across the region as a leader in police reform and has a strong reputation and is well-respected in the communities he has served. I’m looking forward to both our diverse Fairfax County community and police department having the opportunity to meet our new chief and hear his vision and goals firsthand.”

Davis took over as commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department after a period of protests and civil unrest. During his tenure he established a Department of Justice Compliance and Accountability Division and a fully implemented body-worn camera program. He also worked to build trust with the community and foster transparency by providing information about the department’s internal policies and all police-involved shootings and expanded the department’s police chaplains program, which trained more than 100 faith community leaders to serve as ambassadors in the community.

While serving Anne Arundel County, Davis was the first chief in Maryland to require police officers to train for, carry and administer naloxone to individuals suffering from drug overdoses, and created a Crisis Intervention Team including mental health professionals to respond to calls for service where mental illness or a behavioral crisis were factors.

“Following a thorough search process and input from the community, we were fortunate to have many excellent candidates to consider. There are few positions so vital to our community, and Kevin brings leadership, depth of experience and vision to the role,” said County Executive Bryan Hill. “I look forward to working together to move the department ahead, building on the reforms we have already put in place, at this defining moment in law enforcement around the country. Our goal is to be stronger and better prepared for the future of policing.”

Davis’s leadership experience includes reform initiatives in use of force, training and technology that have received international attention and accolades.

Davis is an adjunct professor at American University and a lecturer at Catholic University of America. He was recently appointed to a four-year term on the state’s Commission on Judicial Disabilities, an independent body that hears complaints against Maryland judges. He has served on numerous professional boards and commissions and was a member of the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board in Maryland.

He has a master's degree in management from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Towson University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the FBI National Executive Institute. He will receive an annual salary of $215,000.

Lloyd Tucker is the new director of Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), effective March 13. Tucker succeeds Christopher Leonard, who was appointed Deputy Director of Health and Human Services in January.

Tucker has over 23 years of experience in Health and Human Services, 17 of them with Fairfax County. He has served with NCS since 2010, first as a regional manager and since 2016 as director of NCS’s Regional Services and Center Operations Division. He has been with Fairfax County since 2004, beginning with the former Department of Community and Recreation Services as a Therapeutic Recreation Program manager.

During his tenure with the county, Tucker has focused his skills and experience on the strategic work associated with providing recreational, educational and developmental programs and services for the full spectrum of county residents, from youth to older adults. He has extensive experience in facilitating community engagement, conflict resolution and organizational development and management.

NCS provides a variety of recreation, educational and developmental programs and services; facilitates community engagement to identify areas of need and enhance countywide capacity for serving those needs; and connects residents with a broad spectrum of county- and community-based resources and services.

Tucker holds a Certified Public Manager credential from George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership. He has a Master of Science in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University, a Master of Arts in counseling from Hampton University and a Bachelor of Science in therapeutic recreation from Hampton University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership.

Tucker will receive an annual salary of $165,000.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors today appointed Christopher Leonard as deputy county executive, effective Jan. 2, 2021. He replaces Tisha Deeghan, who retires on Feb. 1, 2021.

Leonard will be responsible for Fairfax County’s Health, Housing and Human Services programs and will oversee the following agencies:

• Health Department
• Department of Neighborhood and Community Services
• Department of Housing and Community Development
• Department of Family Services
• Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
• Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
• Office of Strategy Management for Health and Human Services
• McLean Community Center
• Reston Community Center

Since 2010, Leonard has served as director of the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), which provides recreation, educational and developmental programs and services; facilitates community engagement to identify areas of need and enhance countywide capacity for serving those needs; and connects residents with county- and community-based resources and services.

“I’m honored and proud to receive this appointment. The county’s Health, Housing and Human Services system has always played an integral role in the social and economic well-being of our residents, and especially now as we navigate the unprecedented challenge of this global pandemic,” said Leonard. “I hope to build upon the incredible work that’s been done by our leadership team and staff and further expand our great community partnerships, while continuing to focus on equity, opportunity and helping all of our residents to achieve their full potential.”

Leonard has served Fairfax County for more than two decades. He began his career with the county as a budget analyst in 1999. In 2003 he was appointed deputy director of the former Department of Community and Recreation Services (CRS) and later appointed acting director. That agency merged with the Department of Systems Management for Human Services to create the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, which Leonard has led since 2010. 

“The Health, Housing and Human Services system has made significant progress in our efforts to create communities of opportunity for all county residents,” said Deeghan. “I am confident that the important work of making the HHS system responsive to a changing community and improving outcomes for individuals and families will continue under Chris’s leadership.”

Leonard earned a bachelor’s in sports management and a master’s in public administration, both from West Virginia University.

He will receive an annual salary of $214,000.

Fairfax County partnered with the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council (VFOIA Council) to provide VFOIA Training Day in August. The event drew over 300 attendees, from 68 Virginia towns, cities and counties, including compliance experts, elected officials, county administrators, attorneys and public safety professionals.

The event was held virtually to expand access to the training for local and state government employees throughout the commonwealth.

If you missed the virtual event, a recording of VFOIA Training Day is now available online. Topics covered included disclosure of law enforcement records and social media information and what information can be discussed in closed session during public meetings. VFOIA Advisory Council Executive Director Alan Gernhardt noted that under social distancing requirements, some localities are conducting public meetings in parking lots and high school gyms.

More information:

• FY 2020 VFOIA Annual Report shows a 26% increase in requests since FY 2019.
• Submitting VFOIA requests to Fairfax County.

As a move to help taxpayers during the ongoing pandemic, Fairfax County significantly reduced penalties for late personal property and real estate tax payments this year.

On June 23, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved these changes that will apply only to tax year 2020. County leaders cut the penalty in half from 10% to 5% for late payment of these taxes. They also eliminated the additional 15% penalty for personal property taxes—better known as car taxes— that are more than 30 days overdue.

“These uncertain times are causing financial hardships for many in our community and the stress of balancing property payments with basic needs can be overwhelming,” said Fairfax County Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “The board is committed to taking the actions necessary to help our residents and I’m glad that we have the resources to be able to implement another option for relief.”

In late March, the board extended the due date to pay the first half of real estate taxes until Aug. 28. This payment is normally due a month earlier on July 28. The deadline to report changes in personal property ownership was also extended to June 1. Taxpayers who missed this deadline are subject to the normal 10% penalty, however.

As always, Department of Tax Administration staff are available to assist taxpayers experiencing financial difficulties with setting up reasonable payment plans.

Residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to pay their taxes online because it is the safest, fastest and easiest way during the pandemic. E-check payments are easy, quick and free. Officials want to remind residents who normally pay with cash in person that they can do so by mailing a money order instead.

For more information or questions, contact the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration  by email or by phone at 703-222-8234, TTY 711.

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Inova’s vision to expand its Center for Personalized Health to create a destination for health innovation and discovery won approval from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

The board approved updates to the county’s land use plan for the center’s 117-acre campus across the street from Inova Fairfax Hospital in Merrifield. The changes are the first step needed to allow the health system to incorporate more academic and research space at its campus, plus add complementary housing, retail and  hotels.

The center will establish the county as a health sciences innovation hub helping to grow and diversify the economy, officials say. The center’s expansion will also benefit residents who will have access to state-of-the-art medical care like the Inova Schar Cancer Institute that opened in May.

“I am so pleased that Inova continues to invest in our community through the expansion of their research and treatment center,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova. “This center will combine innovation, technology, and groundbreaking research to prevent and treat diseases. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will transform the lives of not just Fairfax County residents, but of those who visit in search of world-class treatment as well.”

Inova’s Plan

The campus, which was once ExxonMobil’s headquarters, is already developed with five office buildings totaling more than 1.2 million square feet. The newly approved Comprehensive Plan envisions another 3.8 million square feet in possible development on the property’s western side.

Inova says that about half this proposed future development would be for academic partners led by the University of Virginia. Inova already has entered into a comprehensive research and medical educational partnership with George Mason University and the University of Virginia. It will bring together clinicians who will work side by side with researchers from state universities and biomedical technology startups.

One component of this partnership is the Global Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Institute that’s based at Inova’s campus. The institute will focus on translating research and technology breakthroughs into clinical care to address patient needs.

In the first phase of its expansion, Inova plans to build new academic and research spaces and up to 705 housing units that could be used for assisted living, student housing and workforce housing. The future development will include up to 120,000 square feet for a short-term  stay hotel that could be used by families of cancer patients and researchers.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change healthcare in Northern Virginia,” said Dr. J. Stephen Jones, president and CEO of Inova Health System. “The clinical, academic and commercial collaborations on this campus will improve the health of our community and become a source of economic growth and jobs for Fairfax County.”

Center’s Economic Impact

By 2035, Inova estimates that activity on and related to the campus will generate $1.18 billion in economic impact, including $68 million in local and state tax revenue.

In addition to fostering a new innovation ecosystem, the center will help diversify the local economy and tax base, a key goal in the county’s economic growth strategy.

The campus also houses a startup accelerator and investment fund to help biotech companies expand. Its accelerator works with startups to provide education, capital and access to Inova’s resources. Inova also invests directly in companies and in health and technology venture funds.

Community Engagement

Fairfax County’s updated land use plan was developed with extensive community involvement. The county worked with a community task force that reviewed and shaped the land use recommendations over the course of 26 public meetings. In addition, Inova conducted quarterly meetings with neighborhood associations and held open houses throughout the process.

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Today, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed Rebecca Moudry as the first director of the new Department of Economic Initiatives. Her appointment is effective Oct. 21.

Moudry has more than 20 years of experience in economic development, community development and investment policy in both the private and public sectors. She has led programs at the local, national and international levels and is specialized in regional competitiveness. Most recently, Moudry was a vice president at ROI Research on Investment.  As part of the executive team she supported economic development clients to develop and execute industry cluster assessments, strategic planning and business attraction and retention programs.

Previously, Moudry served as deputy director for investment services at SelectUSA at the U.S. Department of Commerce. This federal program facilitates job-creating business investment into the United States. At the U.S. Economic Development Administration, she led a program to increase investment in innovation clusters across the country. Her expansive experience includes positions at the District of Columbia Office for Planning and Economic Development, the International Economic Development Council and the Inter-American Development Bank. 

Moudry earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound and received a master’s degree in regional planning with a focus on economic development from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Moudry will receive an annual salary of $165,000.

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Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck and Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay hosted a dedication ceremony on Sept. 20 to rename the South County Center – located at 8350 Richmond Highway in Alexandria – as the Gerry Hyland Government Center. The name change is in honor of Gerald W. Hyland, who served as the Mount Vernon District representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1988-2015. 

In addition to his supervisor role, Hyland served as chairman of the Public Safety Committee and co-chairman of the Community Revitalization and Reinvestment Commit¬tee. He served on the Inova Health Care Services Board and the National Association of Counties Board of Directors; and regionally for District of Columbia, Fort Belvoir and Prince William County interjurisdictional committees. 

“Gerry Hyland was a supervisor for the people and the epitome of a public servant,” says Storck. “Throughout his 30 plus years of public service, he improved the lives of many, many individuals in Mount Vernon and Fairfax County. Gerry’s innate compassion for the struggles of residents along the Richmond Highway corridor was instrumental in getting the South County Center built and bringing human services to Mount Vernon and Lee residents who otherwise had to travel long distances.”
The Gerry Hyland Government Center is home to family services, community health, career programs, a senior and teen center and more, including many public rooms essential for community meetings and workshops. “It is a fitting tribute that we honor Gerry by naming the county government center after this beloved public servant,” says Storck.

Hyland also served as chairman of the Virginia Railway Express and is a past president of the Virginia Association of Counties. He has served as a board member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, the Environmental Policy Committee, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Improvement Study Coordinating Committee, the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Board of Zoning Appeals. He is the former chairman of the Fairfax County Human Rights Commis¬sion and is a retired Colonel in the United States Air Force.

Hyland was instrumental in the efforts to close the county I-95 landfill, he led the effort to keep the Inova Mount Vernon Hospital open and led the transformation of Lorton. He is known as an advocate for all people, as well as a pun master and gentleman farmer.

“No one has dedicated themselves more to our community than Gerry Hyland,” says McKay. “His decades of service were invaluable to the success of Fairfax County and the Mount Vernon District and we’re a much better, stronger, safer and compassionate community because of him. This newly named center is but a small token of our thanks to him for being a leader and role model to all of us.”

In addition to Storck and McKay, speakers at the dedication ceremony included Congressman Gerry Connolly, Congressman Don Beyer, former Congressman Jim Moran, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova and William “Bill” Bock, a close friend to Hyland. Hyland then addressed the large crowd of friends and colleagues before the new signage in front and behind the building was unveiled. 

The Library of Virginia has awarded the Office of the Fairfax Circuit Court Clerk a $8,281.50 grant through its Circuit Court Records Preservation (CCRP) program. The funds will be used to conserve Fairfax Court Order Book 1768-1770; Plat Book 3, p. 1-68; Plat Book 3, p. 69-135; and Subpoenas and Rough Minute Book 1846-1855, 1871 stored in the Court’s Historic Records Center in the 1799 Courthouse, 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 1600, Fairfax.

“As the proud custodians of these 18th- and 19th-century records, we are thrilled that the Library of Virginia is supporting our Five-Year Preservation Plan,” said Chief Deputy Clerk Gerarda Culipher. “We are all students of history, but some of us have the great privilege of working every day to preserve, and showcase, these court records as primary resources for today’s researchers….and for future generations." 

The Clerk’s Office conducts free, guided tours every Friday at 3 p.m. and Monday through Thursday by appointment. “Come down for a tour, and see just what we’re doing to keep Fairfax’s past available to you,” encourages Culipher. More information on tours.

The CCRP grant program is a part of the Library of Virginia's Local Records Services Branch. Funded through a $1.50 portion of Virginia’s land recordation fee, the CCRP provides resources to help preserve and make accessible permanent circuit court records stored in the 120 circuit courts around the commonwealth and in Richmond at the Library of Virginia. This year, CCRP awarded more than $1 million to 90 local clerks’ offices.

For more information, contact Heather Bollinger at 703-246-4168.

Fairfax County is leading the way in solar energy in the state, becoming the first municipality in Virginia to receive a Gold designation from the national SolSmart program. SolSmart recognized Fairfax County earlier this year with Silver status for taking bold action to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar development. The new Gold designation comes after the Board of Supervisors voted earlier this summer to amend the zoning ordinance by explicitly allowing residential and non-residential buildings to add solar as an accessory use.

“We are receiving this Gold designation from SolSmart because the Board of Supervisors continues to invest in the county’s solar energy programs,” said Kambiz Agazi, director of the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. “We are excited to continue working in collaboration with Fairfax County’s residents and businesses to create a greener and more energy efficient community one building at a time.”

For companies looking to expand, a SolSmart Gold designation is a signal that Fairfax County is open for solar business.

To receive this top designation, local governments must put in place processes to make it faster, easier and less expensive to install a solar energy system. This includes streamlining permitting and zoning rules, as well as offering economic incentives.

Fairfax County offers:

• No-fee permitting for residential or commercial solar systems.
• Same-day building permits for solar systems .
• Tax exemptions for homeowners and businesses who install solar equipment , including solar panels, solar water heating systems and passive solar energy systems.
• Discounted solar systems for homeowners and businesses through Solarize Fairfax County , which during the past three years has resulted in 2,263 solar assessments that led to 142 solar installations totaling 1,135 kW.
• $5,000 grants for homeowners associations’ energy conservation projects like solar through the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.
• A solar webpage that summarizes solar resourcs, incentives, and opportunities in the county.     

The programs and incentives are offered through a partnership between multiple county agencies, including the Department of Land Development Services, Department of Planning and Development, Department of Tax Administration and Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.

The county’s solar incentives and programs complement its overall Operational Energy Strategy that aims to reduce local government energy consumption through energy efficiency, renewable energy and innovative technologies. As part of this strategy, Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools are planning to install solar panels on multiple facilities . The county also recently allocated $2.5 million for electric vehicle charging stations and LED streetlights .

SolSmart uses objective criteria to award communities points based on the actions they take to reduce barriers to solar energy development. The non-profit is led by The Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management Association and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.

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