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.
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.
Dawn McGruder
Commissioner
Dawn McGruder serves as the President of The McGruder Group CPAs, an award-winning tax and accounting firm located in Fairfax City since 2006. Dawn is responsible for the overall strategic planning and direction of the firm. The firm works with individuals, businesses, estates, trusts and non-profits with an emphasis on working closely with small business owners in the community. She actively serves on several non-profit boards in the area including the Old Town Fairfax Business Association and Northern Virginia Food Rescue. She currently holds the position of President of the Greater DC Chapter of The National Association of Women Business Owners.
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.
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.
Michelle Smith
Tourism Manager
Economic Development Office & Authority
Michelle.Smith@fairfaxva.gov
Michelle develops and implements programs funded through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021). Her goal is to increase visitors to the area through adding new local art and visitor attractions and highlighting the area’s historic resources.
Gary Ponder
Programs and Incentive Manager
Economic Development Office & Authority
Gary.Ponder@fairfaxva.gov
Gary oversees a grant program designed to help small and medium sized businesses reduce the financial barriers for a physical office space. This exciting new program will launch in early 2023. Gary is also overseeing Fairfax City’s first ever pop-up small business retail program.
Ashleigh Scarborough
Economic Development Associate
Economic Development Authority
Ashleigh.Scarborough@fairfaxva.gov
Tatjana Mara
Account Support Specialist
Economic Development Authority
Tatjana.Mara@fairfaxva.gov
Tatjana is responsible for financial controls and reporting for the EDO Office, as well as oversees all budgeting and financial planning for EDA programs. She also oversees and prepares reports or statements as requested by the Treasurer, Commissioners, or Economic Development staff.
Andrew Wilson
Project Manager
Economic Development Authority
Andrew.Wilson@fairfaxcityeda.org
Cameron Baker
Social Media Intern
Economic Development
Cameron.Baker@fairfaxva.gov
Cameron assists in the management of the Economic Development Authority’s (EDA) social media channels and website. She is responsible for creating content, engagement and measurement of all social media channels. She contributes to producing EDA press releases and assists on any marketing material for programming.