Kathy Smith has represented the Sully District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors since January 2016. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors and Chair of the Land Use Policy Committee. She began her career as an educator before taking on various roles in public service, ranging from PTA President to Chair of the Fairfax County School Board. Her deep understanding of the Sully District and fierce commitment to equitable governance remain central to her work on the Board of Supervisors. 

Born in New Jersey, Kathy graduated from Muhlenberg College with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Elementary Education. She worked as a teacher for seven years, teaching first grade in New Jersey and second grade at an International School in Saudi Arabia. She and her husband, Steve, have been Sully District residents since 1984, and their four children attended Fairfax County Public Schools. Kathy began her career in public service by serving as the PTA President at Poplar Tree Elementary School, Rocky Run Middle School, and Chantilly High School. 

Kathy was elected to the Fairfax County School Board as the Sully District Representative in 2002 and was voted to serve as the Chair of the School Board three times during her 14-year tenure. This experience allowed her to gain an even deeper understanding of the challenges faced by families across Fairfax County and shaped her into a thoughtful decision-maker.

During her time on the Board of Supervisors, Kathy has been a strong advocate for affordable housing, education funding, transportation improvements, and economic development. She is a firm believer in meeting constituents where they are and finding new ways to connect communities to relevant county resources. Her pragmatic approach is guided by an understanding that Fairfax County’s success is only achievable through carefully balancing the region’s necessary priorities.

Supervisor Smith serves on the following committees:

• Board of Supervisors Standing Committees
  • Land Use Policy Committee (Chair)
  • Personnel and Reorganization Committee (Vice-Chair)
  • Budget Policy Committee (2nd Vice-Chair)
  • 50+ Committee
  • Community Revitalization and Reinvestment Committee
  • Economic Advisory Commission
  • Public Safety Committee
  • Legislative Committee
  • Information Technology Committee
  • Environmental Committee
  • Health, Housing and Human Services Committee
• Virginia Association of Counties (VACo)
  • Board of Directors
  • Education Committee (Chair)
• Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC)
  • Executive Committee
• Route 28 Highway Transportation Improvement District Commission
• Interjurisdictional Committees:
  • Loudoun County (Chair)
  • Prince William County (Chair)