Brian Gannon, CPRP, recently celebrated 20 years of public service with
Fairfax County government – most of which has been at Reston Community Center. As you will find out from reading below, Brian is passionate about his chosen career field of Parks and Recreation. In the agencies where he has worked, he has provided excellent services, primarily by ensuring that their facilities are fully utilized and that patrons have outstanding experiences, regardless of their interests or purposes.
Brian is currently serving as RCC’s Accreditation Specialist – as such, he is the guardian of our documentation that keeps our agency in good standing with the Commission on Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). CAPRA agencies deliver services to their communities that meet the highest standards of stewardship, responsiveness to public needs, engagement with their constituents and breadth of programming. Brian’s careful attention to detail and broad knowledge of the field make him an ideal shepherd for this effort. He also analyzes and reports on agency data that contribute to our continuous improvement efforts.
Below, Brian shares how he finds purpose in life, maintains a healthy work-life balance and makes daily strides towards his goals.
RCC: If you could have dinner with anybody in the world from across history, who would it be and why?
Brian Gannon: There are several options, but I would probably pick the famous naturalist John Muir. The work he did to introduce people to nature and preserve this country’s wilderness areas is remarkable. As an outdoor enthusiast, I feel I owe a debt of gratitude to him and what he accomplished.
RCC: What is your superpower?
BG: Flexibility. I always try to be adaptable and open to learning new information. I love embracing new challenges.
RCC: Describe something you have accomplished that you are extremely proud of?
BG: I just celebrated my 20th anniversary working for Fairfax County, with most of that time being at RCC. I’m humbled to be able to have had the opportunity to grow and advance in my career at RCC.
RCC: What is the number one priority for your lifetime?
BG: To live life to the fullest with no regrets.
RCC: How do you motivate yourself when you’re feeling stuck?
BG: When this happens, I’ll consider taking a different approach or starting over with a blank slate. Sometimes asking for help can make a huge difference.
RCC: What’s a flaw you see in yourself that you’re currently working on?
BG: I’m always trying to better myself and one area I’ve been focusing on is time management. Punctuality is important to me, and I want to make sure I’m doing my best, especially when this behavior can impact others.
RCC: What’s something that scares you, but you do it anyway?
BG: I’m big into outdoor activities and love exhilarating adventures. A couple of years ago, I went skydiving for the first time with a friend of mine; while it was terrifying, it was also quite a thrill. I also frequently go whitewater rafting with some trips featuring Class V rapids.
RCC: Do you see yourself living somewhere else in the future? Where and why this place?
BG: There are lots of places I have visited and would love to go back to (like Hawaii) but I really love the American Southwest and could see myself perhaps in New Mexico. There is a rich mix of culture, history and outdoor recreational opportunities that make it an attractive place to me.
RCC: What’s the number one thing you wish more people knew about you?
BG: I always tend to be quiet at first, especially around new people or in new situations, but I do eventually open up – I always like to observe first though.
Among his colleagues, Brian is a trusted, respected expert who is a champion for the value of our collective work. Thank you, Brian Gannon, for your past and continuing service.
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