2018 PREFERENCE POLL OFFERS CANDIDATES TO FILL THREE VACANCIES (PDF)
RESTON, VA — The Reston Community Center (RCC) Board of Governors announces five candidates for its 2018 Preference Poll. This year’s candidates are incumbents William G. Bouie, Gerald Zavala and Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt, as well as new candidates Richard Stillson and April Tan. The candidates’ statements are included here exactly as submitted and are presented in alphabetical order; voters are urged to review all statements before making selections.
The poll seeks community guidance to fill three 3-year positions. Voting begins on September 7, 2018. Each property in Small District 5 (SD5) will receive a ballot in the mail. Mail-in ballots must be received by the counting agent (a pre-addressed envelope is provided with the ballot; postage is required) no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 27. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 28.
A Candidates Forum will be held on Monday, September 10, at 6:30 p.m.at RCC Hunters Woods, located at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the RCC Board of Governors to represent the interests of Reston (SD5) residents and businesses in developing policy and providing financial oversight for RCC. Board appointments are made by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors after participants have made their preferences known in the annual poll.
Board members work together to establish the overall policy for the Center and to guide its programs and budget. Board members represent Reston Community Center at social, recreational, cultural and educational activities throughout the district as well as function as liaisons to RCC’s community partners.
This year’s candidates have provided the statements below, shown exactly as written by the candidates with no changes to content. For more information on the 2018 RCC Preference Poll or Board of Governors, please visit our website at www.restoncommunitycenter.com or call 703-476-4500.
2018 RCC PREFERENCE POLL CANDIDACY STATEMENTS
WILLIAM G. BOUIE
Statement of Candidacy
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
▪ Current RCC Board Member. Chairman 2006-2008
▪ Chairman, Fairfax County Park Authority Board
▪ Best of Reston Award, 1993; 2001
▪ Robert E. Simon Fellows Award 2013
▪ Katherine K. Hanley Leadership Award for Community Service, 2016
▪ Fairfax County Anthony H. Griffin Partnership Leader Award, 2014
▪ Wolf Trap Board of Directors
▪ Vice Chairman, Public Art Reston
▪ Chairman, Reston Youth Baseball, 11 years
▪ Past Board of Management, Reston YMCA
▪ First President, Friends of Reston
▪ Founding Board Member, PIT Teen Center
▪ Project Gold 2000, US Olympic Committee
▪ Lord Fairfax, 2003
How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
The RCC Board of Governors presents an opportunity to contribute to my great community and to utilize my talents and skills. I have the experience and qualifications for the position in dealing with RCC activities, working in the business community, working with youth and athletics, and working with various organizations in Reston and throughout the County to help plot our future.
Our diversity is a strength that is unique, embraced, cherished, and to be celebrated.
I am a strong supporter of the Center, and the Reston community. I enjoy working with Restonians, to learn about their needs, and wants, and to strive to make RCC a place for all. I will continue to work with the residents and the County to ensure consistency of programming, and to engage the business community so that they receive the inherent value in working with the Community Center and its programs as Reston grows.
LISA SECHREST-EHRHARDT
Statement of Candidacy
Question A: What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
I love Reston! It is the place I have called home for 43 years. My family and I have participated in just about everything RCC has to offer; classes, camps, food drives, swim lessons, theatre productions, community forums, and special events. Prior to serving on RCC Board I was an employee of the Reston Community Center. I had a great opportunity to plan and implement programs geared towards enhancing the social, cultural, and educational aspects of the Reston Community. I have the unique perspective of experiencing what RCC has to offer from the inside out and from the outside in.
Question B: How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
As a professional social worker and diversity consultant/trainer I have embraced a philosophy of collaboration and inclusion. My professional goal is to provide learning environments which allow people from various, cultural, ethnic, racial, gender, and socio-economic backgrounds to come together and learn from one another, with the confidence of bridging connections towards a common ground. My diversity consultations, presentations, and workshops educate individuals, organizations, and communities about their strengths, and highlight the power of diversity. Reston is a community rich in diversity! A community where many of its residents actually “live, work, and play” together. My skills as an excellent communicator and educator will contribute to the social, cultural, and educational environment provided by RCC. The goal of my community involvement and my desire to serve on the RCC Board of Governors is to ensure that all Reston residents are included in and benefit from the great programs RCC offers.
RICHARD STILLSON
Statement of Candidacy
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
I have lived in Reston for 46 years and have been active in the town’s development. I was the first chairman of RA’s Lakes Committee when lakes policy was being developed. I was the first president of Reston 2020 at the turbulent time of the task force to revise the Comprehensive Plan. I have taught many courses in Reston for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Now retired from a 25 year career at the International Monetary Fund, I feel that my economics knowledge and community involvement can help RCC manage the changes coming with the Silver Line.
How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
The Reston Community Center has played an important role in the growth of Reston by providing facilities and programs for everyone. This role becomes even more important and challenging because most of Reston’s new growth will be in the urbanized corridor along the Dulles toll road with predominantly high rise multi-family residences and offices. RCC must reach out to these new residents. RCC’s strategic plan and 2017 Annual Report make clear that it is heading in this direction, particularly with many partnerships, not only with established Reston organizations such as the Reston Association and Cornerstone, but with Comstock, a private company building part of the urban corridor. I feel I can substantially contribute to this effort with my long standing history in Reston and my financial experience with the International Monetary Fund.
APRIL TAN
Statement of Candidacy
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
I have been contributing to Virginia since the 1980’s. When I moved to NOVA in the 2000s, I have volunteered for:
- The Reston Multicultural festival
- Fairfax County’s Procurement and Material Management as Commissioner
- Fairfax County’s Election Officer’s Chief
I am proud of my achievements of:
- Integrating my parents through volunteering
- Diversifying Fairfax County to the Asian American Business Chamber
- Increasing voting participation for local, state and federal elections.
Please vote April Tan from 9/7 to 9/28.
How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
According to the 2018 Annual Report, RCC will be “spending down the reserve” in the next two years. I offer the Governors, Supervisors and Voters my financial acumen, refined with experience since 2002.
I am more than capable of examining the financial structure to replenish the reserve with the Governor, Supervisor and business support.
As a champion of technology professionally starting when I was on the executive team of a healthcare center, I look forward to helping the Governors and Staffs use technology to enhance facility, program and communication to the community.
A program I can ask voters to support is offering complimentary homework help session for students who are getting C and below to be funded by businesses. I envision high schoolers leading the session for service credit.
Please vote April Tan from 9/7 to 9/28.
GERALD ZAVALA
Statement of Candidacy
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
I have served on the RCC Board for six years, including the last four as Treasurer. It has been a pleasure to serve our community. As a member of the RCC Board, I will continue to foster a culture where the staff and community feel comfortable exchanging ideas and forging partnerships to deliver the best programming possible with our finite resources. My experience working with the Fairfax County Park Authority and volunteer work with the Reston Chamber, Reston Soccer, Leadership Fairfax and local arts and school organizations provide me with the community insight to help the RCC fulfill its mission.
How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
There is nothing permanent except change. Reston continues to grow. However, with growth come some growing pains. I am committed to providing the leadership necessary so that RCC listens and understands our community’s changing needs so that it can responsibly serve our entire community. My family has lived in Reston since 2007 and we are direct consumers of RCC programming. I have two daughters that attend out local schools (Sunrise Valley ES and Langston Hughes MS) and participate in RCC summer camps. I believe RCC should encourage all our stakeholders to feel ownership of the organization and its programming.
It’s imperative that the Board listens to the community and holds itself to a high standard of quality, serve and fiscal responsibility. Thank you for the opportunity for serving the community, and I would be honored to continue that service.
