Michael O’Brien
Chair
A Fairfax City resident since 2011. O’Brien is the founder and principal of MOB Advocacy, a nationally-scoped state and local government relations firm based in Fairfax, Va. Founded MOB Advocacy to assist startups, small businesses and nonprofit organizations address issues with state and local governments.
John Sabo
Vice Chair
A resident of Fairfax City since 1994 and has been active in local community and charitable organizations for many years. Sabo is a business owner and has been in the commercial real estate industry for more than 25 years concentrating on brokerage and development with clients ranging from privately-owned local firms to large public companies.
Mary Valenta
Treasurer
Mary Valenta is CEO of On the Green, LLC (OTG) in Fairfax, VA, a consulting firm helping businesses with economic, environmental and social growth through strategic, marketing and financial planning.
Sean Mallon
Secretary
Mallon oversees the Mason Enterprise Center (MEC) and the Office of Technology Transfer of George Mason University. Mallon also works collaboratively with academic leadership and faculty to ensure an innovative, scalable approach to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration for the development and delivery of entrepreneurial thinking and learning across the entire university.
W. Craig Havenner
Commissioner
A native of Northern Virginia, he and his family have resided in The City of Fairfax since 1980. Over the years he has been actively involved in many community and professional organizations. Serves as principal and President of Christopher Companies. Christopher Companies has developed a number of new home communities throughout the Northern Virginia area.
Jeff Hermann
Commissioner
A resident of Fairfax City since 2009, Jeff is the Section Chief for Site Analysis in the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, and had 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.
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.
Chris Bruno
Director of Economic Development, Fairfax City
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
Assistant Director of Economic Development/Programs Manager, Fairfax City
As the Assistant Director of Economic Development/Programs Manager for Fairfax City’s Office of Economic Development, Danette assists businesses as they navigate various city processes and partners with them on direct-to-business city programs.