I found post retirement work as a consultant for Leidos but since March 2020 (COVID), I remain on a leave of absence.
My working languages are English, French, and Mandarin.
I was a member of the MCA Planning Committee back in the late 90’s but left in 2000 due to overseas assignments. While volunteering for McLean Day back in 2017, I stopped by the MCA outreach booth and rejoined the MCA and joined 3 committees. My love of parks and nature drew me to the Environment, Parks, and Recreation (EP&R) Committee; I joined the Membership Committee based on the positive interaction from the outreach experience and I joined the Budget and Taxation Committee with the hopes of working towards addressing property taxes issues for those on a fixed income. I later joined the MCA Board as a member at large to gain further insights into the various MCA committees. The MCA committees provide researched guidance for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors – following the issues seems the best way to be informed to improve our community.
My focus within the various committees sharpened: EP&R facilitated contacts with McLean parks Invasive Management Area (IMA) leaders, volunteering on projects to remove vines and invasive plants. I later joined the McLean Trees Foundation and Tree Rescuers, saving and planting trees in various McLean parks. Via the B&T committee, focusing the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on increasing police salaries and incentives to stem the attrition of police officers is something we all need to be aware of.
One particular issue that is close to my heart that I’ve addressed within the MCA was the action taken by the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA). The FCPA unilaterally decided not to reinstall the Disc Golf course in McLean Central Park (MCP) following the 2018 Dead Run stream restoration project. This was contrary to the McLean Master Plan. This information was obtained during an MCA B&T meeting on the FCPA budget. Having personally used the MCP disc golf course from 1985 to 2015, with my twins into adulthood, this was one local McLean resource that is missed by so many. I have addressed the loss of the disc golf course and while there are no further plans to offer a new disc golf course, I remain hopeful.
My other areas of community interest include being an active member of the Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), providing support to McLean and Fairfax County; I routinely volunteer with the McLean Community Center, and I am a longtime member of the McLean Historical Society. Please join the MCA! Everyone can make a difference – you just need the time and spirit to volunteer!