Kathleen Paley
Chair
Kathleen Paley serves as the Special Counsel for Covington & Burling LLP where she focuses on legal issues facing the firm’s pharmaceutical clients at the federal and state courts level. Previously, she served for one year as the Grant Officer at the International Republican Institute where she assisted with various projects related to democracy education.
Jeff Hermann
Vice-Chair
A resident of Fairfax City since 2009, Jeff is the Section Chief for Site Analysis in the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and has worked in the planning field for over 15 years. His team of planners and engineers evaluate development applications and site plans on their transportation merits and challenges across Fairfax County.
Fred Cornett
Treasurer
Fred Cornett, Jr. is the Senior Vice President/CFO of HHH Properties Corp., a real estate firm located in Fairfax, VA. He has over twenty years of retail property knowledge related to the performance, profitability, leasing, and development of retail shopping centers. One of his responsibilities includes the asset management of Fair City Mall, the largest grocery-anchored retail strip center in the City of Fairfax.
Beth Young
Secretary
Beth Young, PhD, is the co-founder and president of Quality Information Partners, a Fairfax City business since 2004. Dr. Young has over 25 years’ experience leading large-scale data collections/statistical analysis, delivering technical assistance, and project management. She has served on the Fairfax City Commission for Women and as a volunteer for FYPC, FWSA, and in Fairfax City schools. She is a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners and has been a resident of Fairfax City since 1996.
Soledad Portilla
Commissioner
A Fairfax City resident since 2005. Soledad has over 10 years of experience in real estate development and management including new deal sourcing and acquisitions. She currently serves on the Board of the Northern Virginia Builders Industry Association and on the Board of HomeAid Northern Virginia.
Tom Ross
Commissioner
Tom Ross is the Principal of Ross Co., LLC. A consultancy that provides marketing, operations, design solutions, and support for retail marketers. He previously worked with Mobil Oil Corporation and ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company for over 30 years. Tom held both domestic and global management positions in fuels marketing and convenience retailing. As the Global Marketing Projects Manager, Tom focused on the development and implementation of new retail concepts.
Fairfax City EDO Staff
Chris Bruno
Director, Economic Development Office
Christopher.Bruno@fairfaxva.gov
Twitter: @chrisbruno84
Director Bruno serves as the City liaison to the Economic Development Authority and is responsible for coordinating the economic development priorities of the City’s leadership with the Authority’s strategic plan.
Danette Nguyen
Deputy Director & Programs Manager, Economic Development Office
Danette.Nguyen@fairfaxva.gov
Danette assists businesses as they navigate various city processes and partners with them on direct-to-business city programs.
Matt Easley
Assistant Director for Finance and Operations, Economic Development Office
Matthew.Easley@fairfaxva.gov
Matt oversees the administration, budget and operations for the Fairfax City EDO. He works on financials, scheduling, resource allocation, staff management and assists with projects as needed.
Nicole Merlene
Business Investment Manager, Economic Development Office
Nicole.Merlene@fairfaxva.gov
Nicole leads the business development and investment efforts for Fairfax City. Through business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts, her goal is to ensure the City has a healthy office market and is a great place to do business.
Serrita Farnsworth
Business Community Engagement Specialist, Economic Development Office
Serrita.Farnsworth@fairfaxva.gov
Serrita oversees coordination, implementation and evaluation of the Economic Development Authority’s social media channels and website. She is responsible for creating original content, branding and web redesign as well as developing a bi-weekly bulletin for city businesses.
Tara Borwey
Program Manager, Economic Development Office
Tara.Borwey@fairfaxva.gov
Tara joined the EDO to advance the effort of connecting local residents with local businesses in an enriching and meaningful way through well-planned events. She is also responsible for launching Fairfax City’s first city-wide gift card program.
Ashleigh Scarborough
Economic Development Associate, Economic Development Authority
Ashleigh.Scarborough@fairfaxva.gov
Ashleigh supports the Business Community Engagement Specialist in the creation of social content and measurement of all social media channels, including recommendations on growing the EDA’s follower base. She assists with the coordination of various community programs and is responsible for leading the development of a new employee/intern welcome packet.
Natalya Galitskaya
Accountant Support Specialist, Economic Development Authority
Natalya.Galitskaya@fairfaxva.gov
Natalya examines financial documents for the Economic Development Authority by gathering relevant financial data, making financial presentations, obtaining financial information from individuals and performing general financial analysis.
Bruce Butterscotch
Assistant Director for Pet Supply Stores
Economic Development Office
Highly recommends treats over emails
Duties include mandatory walks and pets, lunch room monitoring and happiness compliance. Bruce has received the Canine Good Citizen® Certificate by the American Kennel Club (July 2022).