Candidate Forum: September 2, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
The Leila Gordon Theatre at RCC Hunters Woods
Voting Period: September 5 – 26, 2025 (until 5:00 p.m.)
Mail-in ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on September 25
Have questions?
Contact Brianne Baglini, RCC Deputy Director, at
Brianne.Baglini@fairfaxcounty.gov
Beverly Cosham
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
My previous experience and participation in civic activities that I would bring to the RCC Board are my years spent on the Lorton Arts Foundation, the Advisory Board of ArtsFairfax, the Lorton Land Reuse Committee, the Actor's Center, the Reston Community Orchestra and the RCC Board of Governors. I am a founding member of the Reston Chorale and Reston Players.
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 an incumbent, I have experienced creating and realizing Strategic Plans by working with the board and staff to develop programs and partnerships that better serve the growing and diverse community. RCC is the heart of Reston and strives to keep Bob Simon's Principles to ensure that Reston remains a welcoming place to live, work and play for all.
Paul Thomas
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
My wife and I both grew up in Reston, and have raised our kids here. Since 2008, I have served on several non-profit and county boards:
• Reston Community Center Board of Governors
• Fairfax County Human Services Council
• South Lakes High School Band Booster Association
• Reston Association Board of Directors
• Reston Historic Trust Board of Directors
• Reston Swim Team Association Board of Directors
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 Community Center is an essential element of the Reston community.
As new development in Reston continues to change the real estate and demographic landscapes, we need to make sure that RCC's facilities and offerings continue to support and bring together our growing, evolving community without raising the tax rate. Making all of this happen will require listening to the community, collaborating with stakeholders (including residents, local arts organizations, businesses, and County leadership), and timely planning.
If I'm selected to continue with the Board of Governors, I will work to ensure that the arts, recreation, inclusion, and accessibility remain at the core of RCC’s work.
Shane M. Ziegler
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
My goal is always to champion community connection in Reston, through my local organization Reston Forward I focus on helping newcomers to the community get involved through Community Service and Civic education to gain a better understanding of the place we call home. I continue to volunteer with many local organizations, support local students needs, and promote our arts and cultural events. I'm proud to represent Reston in everyday life, introducing hundreds of new neighbors to RCC's services. As our community continues to grow along the metro corridor its important for new families to feel at home and welcomed.
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?
My leadership is rooted in connecting people - whether through launching community programs, advocating for arts, or introducing our neighbors to RCC's robust program offerings. On the RCC board, I have helped guide initiatives like our upcoming RCC on Wheels program, which expands access to our many programs to areas of the community that might not have known about us. I continue to foster cross-generational engagement at our local cultural events to help connect our new neighbors with the very important history of Reston. I believe everyone - regardless of circumstance, deserves a welcoming place to connect, learn, and enjoy the experiences we have to offer. My goal is to keep RCC at the heart of Reston's sense of belonging and to continue to build on the legacy that has already been created.
