Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees

Lord and Lady Fairfax

The tradition of honoring the Lords and Ladies Fairfax began in 1984 as a way to recognize the accomplishments of the outstanding citizens of Fairfax County. Each member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors selects two people from their district who have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service, heroism or other special accomplishments to receive the award.    The Monday prior to the opening of Celebrate Fairfax!, the Board of Supervisors along with honored guests enjoy a catered meal provided by  Coastal Flats, a Great American Restaurant to publicly honor the Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees.  To date, more than 500 individuals have been named a Lord or Lady Fairfax by their respective member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

2009 Honorees

CHAIRMAN – AT LARGE

Lady Luella F. Brown

Luella Brown has always worked hard to overcome her traumatic childhood and incomplete education to support herself and her son.  Growing up primarily in Fairfax County, Ms. Brown has escaped an abusive home, debt and homelessness to become a self-sufficient woman, setting an example for her son.  Through Reston Interfaith, Ms. Brown participated in life skills classes, learning about personal finances, housing options and how to set goals.  Within a year, she was free of debt, working to support herself and her son and getting involved in her community.  She has worked countless hours with Habitat for Humanity, building both her neighbors’ and her homes. 

Her accomplishments have exceeded her goals, as she proudly shares her story to inspire others to speak about the importance of shared partnership between government and community to help people get back on their feet.  Her son Orlando graduated from Herndon High School in 2008 and followed her example by helping his community and working toward his personal goals. 

Lord Verdia L. Haywood

BRADDOCK DISTRICT

Lady Shirley and Lord Sam DiBartolo

Sam and Shirley DiBartolo have lived in Burke Centre for over 25 years and have served the Braddock District in a number of ways.

Mr. DiBartolo was a member of the Burke Centre Board of Trustees for 3 years, and participated in the Braddock Annual Plan Review in 2005-2006. Both Mr. and Mrs. DiBartolo have served as Burke Centre representatives to the Braddock District Council.  Most significantly, Mr. and Mrs. DiBartolo served on the Burke Centre VRE Station Task Force, and Mr. DiBartolo suggested the design of the clock tower that is the architectural signature for the Burke Centre VRE Station.

Mr. and Mrs. DiBartolo were members of the Burke Centre Library Time Capsule Steering Committee and are both members of the Friends of the Burke Centre Library.  They are active in the Shepherd Center of Burke, the Burke Centre Festival, and are currently on the committee to launch the Senior Center without Walls in the Burke – Springfield area.

Mrs. DiBartolo has served as past president of the Burke Centre 55ers, a group formed to provide social and educational enhancement for seniors. They attend St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax and serve as representatives for St. Mary’s Seniors Club and the Burke Centre 55ers at the Fairfax County Senior Citizens Council.  Mr. DiBartolo is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

DRANESVILLE DISTRICT

Lady Tanveer A. Mirza

Ms. Tanveer Mirza has served on the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center’s Board of Directors for 12 years. She chairs the ADAMS Center Board's Fund Raising Committee and serves on the Board's Interfaith Coordination Committee. 

Ms. Mirza also serves as the President of FAITH,Inc., a Herndon based non profit that provides support services to victims of domestic violence; develops and promotes community education efforts to reduce incidences of domestic violence; provides counseling, job training, and financial, food, and medical assistance to people  in need.  FAITH is an active partner with the Fairfax County Faith Communities in Action, Fairfax County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, and numerous other county agencies. 

Ms. Mirza has also been an active Girl Scout Troop Leader in the Dranesville District and volunteer in the Forestville Elementary School, Cooper Middle School and Langley High School.

Lord Cantor Michael A. Schochet

Cantor Michael Schochet is the senior Cantor at Rodef Shalom Temple in McLean.  As a volunteer, he serves as the Fairfax County Police Department Chaplain Coordinator, Washington Metropolitan Council of Government Chaplain Sub Committee Co-Chair, and the Langley CIA Chaplain. Until last year, he was the Washington FBI Field Office Chaplain.

In 2008, Cantor Schochet began working with County agencies to develop a Fairfax County Community Chaplain Program for disasters and major community emergencies. He chairs a committee of police and fire chaplains and county staff that has recruited and trained some 20 clergy from all major faith groups to become Fairfax County Community Chaplains certified by the Office of Emergency Management. Cantor Schochet is also active in the McLean High School Band program, serves on the Jewish Community Relations Council for Greater Washington DC, and is currently leading the Rodef Shalom Haiti Relief Council.

HUNTER MILL DISTRICT

Lady Carol Ann Bradley

Carol Ann Bradley’s service record is a testament to her selflessness and commitment to the Reston community. As the Principal of Terraset Elementary School, she has touched the lives of hundreds of Reston’s children and their families.

In addition to her leadership in education, she has also served on the Reston Community Center Board for the past three years and most recently served as the Chairman of the Governing Board.  Expanding upon her role as a leader of service in Reston, she has been involved in numerous community and national organizations, some of which include: the Greater Reston Arts Center, the American Association of University Women, the National Council for Negro Women, Global Camps Africa, Reston Interfaith, and the Friends of the Reston Regional Library.  Ms. Bradley’s work is a model of dedicated community service, which she exemplifies in every facet of her life.

Lord Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane is a long time Reston resident and has been involved as a consultant, educator, and community advisor addressing planning and community needs for over 30 years. Locally Mr. Kane’s projects have addressed the planning needs of Reston, the Town of Herndon, and the future of Tyson’s Corner.

Mr. Kane served as a member of the Northern Virginia Planning District Commission, a member of the Board of Directors of Gabriel Homes, the Dulles Corridor Task Force, and the Board of Directors AHOME.  He was a founder and the first president of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and has shared his expertise as a member of the Southgate Community Center Advisory Council.  Having raised a family in Reston, participating as a coach, a mentor, and an educator, Mr. Kane continues to be involved in the community, offering cutting edge and innovative community planning ideas and concepts for Reston and greater Fairfax County.

LEE DISTRICT

Lady Suzette Kern

Most people retire with the expectation of less pressure and more leisure time—but not Suzette Kern.  A former CFO of a federal agency, Ms. Kern has put her years of professional expertise to work as the chair—for the second year—of the Lee District Citizen Budget Advisory Committee.  As chair, Ms. Kern has provided guidance to committee members as they sift through the County’s $3 billion + budget in their difficult pursuit to find areas for savings without losing sight of the keys to Fairfax County’s quality of life.

This would be enough service for some—but not for Ms. Kern.  She also represents Lee District on the Fairfax County Commission on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation as well as on the County’s Economic Advisory Commission where she serves as the co-chair of the Strategic Planning Subcommittee.

Lord Harry H. Zimmerman

In an era when community involvement is the exception rather than the rule, Harry Zimmerman is a model of involved citizenship for all Fairfax County residents.  Since 2004, Mr. Zimmerman has given his time, professional expertise, and enthusiasm to his service as the Lee District representative to the Fairfax County Transportation Advisory Commission.

Mr. Zimmerman’s common sense, professional expertise, and deep community knowledge have made him one of the go-to persons in that minefield where transportation, business development, and community desires often collide.  He was a key member of the BRAC Area Plans Review Task Force in 2008 and has provided additional assistance with BRAC related land use issues in later years. 

As if this were not enough, Mr. Zimmerman is now completing his second year of work on the Lee District Citizen Budget Advisory Group and he is an active member of his civic association in the Springvale community. 

MASON DISTRICT

Lady Cindy Waters

Following a successful career on Capitol Hill, Cindy Waters turned her attention to civic activism, using her organizing and issues-oriented skills for the Lake Barcroft and JEB Stuart High School community.  Ms. Waters served two years as president of the Lake Barcroft Association Board of Directors, and managed the creation of the board’s Futures Committee and appointments to the Waterway Drive Traffic Calming Task Force. 

Ms. Waters is president of the JEB Stuart High School PTSA following similar positions at Belvedere Elementary and Glasgow Middle School. She serves on the Board of the JEB Stuart High School Educational Foundation, which provides need-based scholarships for Stuart seniors pursuing post-secondary education.  Ms. Waters chaired the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee, and she is a Parent Representative on the Virginia Association for the Gifted.  Her dedication to improving the community makes her a worthy Mason District 2010 Lady Fairfax.

Lord Mike Magill

Any worthy cause in Fairfax County can count on long-time restaurateur Mike Magill as a loyal friend and supporter.  Working with Central Fairfax Services, Mr. Magill was one of the first to employ persons with intellectual disabilities.  Annandale High School students benefit from skills building; kids enjoy the pizza tours and get a first look at the food service business.  As an active member of the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Magill supports the annual fall parade, the spring Bed Race fundraiser for Special Olympics, and the Mason District Park free summer concerts. 

There’s always something going on at Magill’s.  A monthly “Eddie’s Night” for Eddie’s Club, and work with the Leary School and Phillips School are few more of the many worthy efforts that make Mr. Magill deserving of recognition as Mason District’s 2010 Lord Fairfax.

MT. VERNON DISTRICT

Lady Glenda Booth

Glenda Booth has been a civic leader in the Mount Vernon District for well over 30 years.  Having served as a Staff Aide to Representative Herb Harris of the 8th Congressional District and Legislative Aide to Senator Dianne Feinstein, Ms. Booth has been inextricably tied to the political and policy endeavors in Mount Vernon during and ever since her tenure on the Hill.  

She is currently Chairman of the Fairfax County Wetlands Board and President of Friends of Dyke Marsh.  Her advocacy for the preservation and restoration of the environment is without equal.  She is a recipient of the 2008 Volunteer Fairfax Community Champion Award. 

Her boundless energy has become an example of a new generation of public service, as her son, Delegate Scott Surovell was recently sworn in to serve the residents of the 44th District in the House of Delegates.

Lord Linwood Gorham

As a Board Member of the South County Federation and Chair of their Land Use Committee, Linwood Gorham is at the forefront of policy and land use matters affecting the Lorton area.  His trustworthiness, calm demeanor and reserved deliberate style make him a reliable community leader. 

Mr. Gorham has served on the 2005 and 2010 Area Plan Review Task Forces for the Mount Vernon District and was recently named Volunteer Fairfax’s Community Champion for the Mount Vernon District as well as a recipient of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s Volunteer Service Award for his work to raise thousands of dollars to help transform the Pohick Bay pool into the Pirate’s Cove Water Park. 

As you look at Lorton’s amazing transformation, you will find Mr. Gorham’s indelible mark. 

PROVIDENCE DISTRICT

Lady Sarah M. Lahr

Sarah Lahr moved into Holmes Run Acres in 1951 and has been an ardent supporter of Woodburn School since its construction.  She was a delegate to the Fairfax County Council of PTAs and served on the Fairfax County School Board and as chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ subcommittee on the mental health of children in the 1960’s. 

Ms. Lahr  has chronicled the history of the Holmes Run Acres community, Fairfax County Public Schools and the Woodburn School for more than 50 years for the Holmes Run Acres Holmes Runner magazine and other publications.  She established the Sarah Lahr Education Foundation to provide funding for projects serving the area’s schools and children.  The outdoor classroom at the Woodburn School for the Fine and Communicative Arts was named “The Sarah Lahr Outdoor Classroom” in recognition of Ms. Lahr’s many years of service.

Lord Ken A. Quincy

Ken moved into the Providence District in 1972 and became involved as Treasurer of the PTA as well as with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and as a coach for Little League and soccer.  Since retiring from the FDIC in 1997, Mr. Quincy has helped teach English as a second language at Pimmit Hills in adult education, served as President of the Dunn Loring Woods Civic Association since 1998 and is the current Providence District representative to the Park Authority Board.

Mr. Quincy is Chairman of the Budget Committee for the Park Authority Board.  One of Mr. Quincy’s current projects is application for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to aide in the acquisition of 7 acres of open fields and woodlands just off Leesburg Pike and Interstate 66.  This grant would pave the way for creation of the Lily Ruckstuhl Park which will include community gardens and children’s playground areas.  During tax season, Mr. Quincy also volunteers his time to provide tax preparation assistance which is invaluable to many of our residents. 

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT

Lady Lynne M. Garvey-Hodge

Lynne Garvey-Hodge is currently serving her fourth consecutive term on the Fairfax County History Commission and has chaired or co-chaired the Clifton Oral History Project, the Clifton History Commission, the Annual Historic Candlelight Tour, as well as Clifton’s 100th Anniversary celebration. Ms. Garvey-Hodge has given presentations and Walking Tours using music, photo boards & games on the History of Clifton to the Herndon Historic Society, Union Mill Elementary School, Bull Run Civil War Roundtable, NOVA, George Mason University and the Northern Virginia Association of History. 

She has re-enacted suffragist Mrs. Robert Walker for a variety of community events, including the ribbon cutting of the suffragist memorial dedication at “Turning Point Plaza” in Occoquan Regional Park. Ms. Garvey-Hodge co-founded the Fairfax County Cemetery Preservation Association. Ms. Garvey-Hodge presented research to the Historic Markers committee of the Fairfax County History Commission and secured funding for Fairfax County’s 24th Historic marker for IVAKOTA Farm.

Lord Tom Peterson

Tom Peterson is an alumnus of Robert E. Lee High School and George Mason University, where he received his Bachelors degree, and a Masters degree in Educational Administration. For 30 years he taught at Laurel Ridge Elementary School and Robinson Secondary School, serving as the Head Coach of the Robinson Baseball Program from 1990 - 2000.

In 2001, Mr. Peterson moved to Clifton and continued giving back to the community. He has served as Vice President of the Clifton Betterment Association, Clifton Day Chairman, and was elected Mayor of the Town of Clifton in 2006.

Along with his family, Mr. Peterson owns and operates the famous Peterson's Ice Cream Depot in Clifton that is known and enjoyed by thousands of people from all over Northern Virginia. 

SULLY DISTRICT

Lady Deborah J. Robison

Deborah Robison has devoted countless hours to researching and documenting Fairfax County history.  As a Board Member on the Historic Centreville Society, Ms. Robison prepared a historical resources inventory entitled, The Significance and Associated Historical Resources of Centreville, VA, which laid the groundwork for the nomination of the Historic Centreville District to the National Register of Historic Places. 

In addition, she worked diligently to expand the Centreville Historic Overlay District. She serves as the Sully District representative on the History Commission and was recently named Chairman. As a program manager for Shaffer, Wilson, Sarver & Gray, she is also responsible for the management and development of Historical Architecture and Engineering where she leads the historic preservation and restoration projects. Her tireless dedication has ensured that Centreville’s rich history will forever be preserved.

Lord Steven T. Ratliff

Steven Ratliff was the lead organizer for the 2010 St. Baldrick’s Event in Centreville where over the last six years 195 shavees have raised more than $157,000.  St. Baldrick’s shavees raise money with pledges and agree to have their heads shaved to stand in solidarity with children who have lost their hair through cancer treatments. Mr. Ratliff’s daughter, Kate, shaved her head in 2006 and his son, Thomas, shaved his head this past year. Mr. Ratliff’s wife, Tammy, serves as the treasurer and volunteers with fundraising, letters, e-mails and photography, and his sister-in-law is the Chief Philanthropy Officer for St. Baldrick’s in California. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation raised more than $12 million in 2009 for childhood cancer research. Mr. Ratliff has also volunteered with youth sports through the Southwestern Youth Association.
 
Mr. Ratliff’s remarkable contributions and commitment to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and notably the events held in Centreville, make Steven Ratliff a perfect representative for Lord Fairfax.