Six Candidates Running in RCC Preference Poll

Board of Governors says six candidates will be running in its 2011 Preference Poll. 

This year’s candidates include three incumbents: John Gasson, William Penniman, and Cathy Vivona.  New candidates include N. Barry Carver, Rod Koozmin, and Vicky Wingert.  

This year’s annual poll seeks community guidance to fill three full-term positions and one one-year position on the RCC Board of Governors. Full-term positions are for three years. The one-year position that is open this year is to complete the remaining year of a three-year term for a Board member who is leaving the Board after two years.  

 There will be a Candidates Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 7:00 p.m. in the CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods.

Walk-in/Mail-in voting begins officially on Sept. 22. Each property in small district 5 will receive a ballot in the mail. Walk-in ballots must be received by RCC no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, and mail-in ballots must be received by the counting agent address by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the RCC Board of Governors to represent the interests of the residents of small district 5 on issues affecting the Community Center. Board appointments are actually made by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors after residents of small tax district 5 have made their preferences known in the annual poll.

Board members work together to establish the overall policy for the Center and to oversee its programs and budget. Board members also represent the Community Center at social, recreational, cultural and educational activities throughout the district.

Here is some info about the candidates from their statements of candidacy. 

N. BARRY CARVER

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

With more than a dozen years of increasing military responsibilities, I’ve demonstrated a capacity to lead and successfully work within a system.

Having put a decade into broadcasting, I thrive on daily deadlines, changing populations and a constant flow of information.

Having two young children insures I’m aware of the long-term needs and immediate wants of our next generation.

Being a lifelong writer, actor, painter and filmmaker means I have a keen comprehension of the support needed for each art to flourish.

And being a disabled veteran, I appreciate daily the needs of both the physically and financially challenged.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

As a new board member – and a child of the 60s, who isn’t 60 yet – I’ll bring fresh perspectives. Without new people in leadership roles, cronyism will choke our community – but there’s no need for radicals either. Living in Reston just over a year, I understand the growing need for more diversity in our thoughts and actions.

Studying computers since before PCs were invented, I see our digital divide clearly, and the lack of a coherent effort here, to bridge it. Access to computers, and the internet, must become a high priority – before we fall further behind.

Since I do not come from privilege or power, I see the strength of restoring Reston to the inclusive community of its founding – instead of the backrooms and cliques of its present reputation. But without power and money – our strength must be in numbers.

Which begs the question: Can I count on you?

JOHN GASSON

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

RCC Board of Governors Member (2009-2011) – Worked with RCC Board to maintain and develop RCC services and facilities to meet the leisure needs of the Reston community

Vice President, Sprint Nextel Corporation (2007-2008) – Led 750 team member organizations, managed $700 million budgets and delivered mission critical business systems.

Former President and Current Board of Directors Member, Friends of Reston (2005-present) – As President, worked collaboratively with FOR Board to raise funds needed to build Nature House.

Committee Chairman Initiative for Public Art Reston Fundraising (2009-present)

Public Speaking, Montgomery High School Students, Career Day (2006 and 2007)

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

Having served on the RCC Board and lived and worked in Reston for 20 years, I understand the community needs for leisure experiences. I have seen Reston evolve over the last two decades and feel strongly the RCC must anticipate our community’s needs for the next 20 years and ensure the services and infrastructure are in place.

While President of the Friends of Reston, I worked collaboratively to raise the funds to build Reston Nature House. As a former officer of a Fortune 50 Reston based company, I developed effective organizations by defining a clear vision, executing an effective plan and valuing member input while getting things done. I will continue to provide effective leadership on the RCC board to ensure RCC provides the services and infrastructure our community needs in the years to come by fostering community participation, building trust and exercising practical decision making.

ROD KOOZMIN

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

I have lived in Reston 20 years and have served on the Reston Association neighborhood committee and have served with the Reston Citizens Association.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

I hope to focus on the woodshop. I hope to set up, even if I do not win this preference poll, a support group for people who like to use the woodshop, if interested please contact me.  I would like it to be open more so that citizens can have more access to the shop. I think it should be open more hours and at less cost to citizens. I would like to set up programs for youth who often do not have access to woodshops. I think planning and making things with your hands is very important mentally. For thousands of years people have made things with their hands and I think we still have this inner need.

I am against the use of extension cords around the pool.

Please vote, often very few people vote in these elections.

WILLIAM H. PENNIMAN

Statement of Candidacy

Question A:  What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

I have served on the RCC Board of Governors for the past five years, acting, at various times, as the Secretary, Treasurer, and Chair of the Finance Committee. Since late 2009, I have been RCC’s alternate representative to the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force, where I co-chaired the Wiehle Station Subcommittee and serve on the Steering Committee. I worked closely with community groups, such as RCA’s 2020. In the past year, I chaired an advisory committee to Supervisor Hudgins concerning Fairfax County’s FY2012 budget. I have done work for non-profit organizations in addition to the RCC.

Question B:  How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

Reston is uniquely fortunate in having a community center as vibrant as RCC. Some other Virginia communities have community centers, but none rivals RCC. I have frequently participated in RCC’s classes and programs and can vouch for their excellence. I strongly support RCC’s maintaining those programs and continuing its community-building activities.

With the coming of the Metro, Reston will experience substantial commercial and residential growth. RCC will need to adjust to meet the community’s rising demand and evolving needs. In the course of working with RCC, the Master Plan Task Force, the budget advisory committee, and in other settings, I have worked with, and learned from, many members of the community. Based on my experience, I believe I can help RCC continue to engage members of our growing community and continue to fulfill RCC’s mission of community service in the face of challenges ahead.

 CATHERINE VIVONA

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

From 1997-2001 and 2005-2011, I served the RCC board as member, Treasurer, and Chair. Additionally, I serve the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia as a board member, am an active member of Saint John Neumann Parish, and participated in the 2011 Hunter Mill Citizens’ Budget Committee. I’ve been a Reston Lion, assisted in citizenship training, and participated in local choral groups.  Professionally, my experience in program management and financial planning has given me experience in fiscal oversight and strategic planning. Currently, I teach ESL at NOVA and use the RCC for weekly bridge games and the arts.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?  (Do not exceed 150 words.)

The RCC has consistently responded to Reston’s leisure needs through its rich venue of programs and events. In the last few years, the RCC board has emphasized partnerships and collaborative efforts as a way to leverage specialized knowledge and talents while addressing community needs. While the success of these partnerships is in no small part the accomplishment of our staff, I’m proud to be part of a governing body which set these priorities for them.  The coming of metro offers another opportunity to serve the community. Here too, the partnership model is already working to serve Reston. Through open dialog with developers, community and business organizations, and interested citizens, I hope to be part of a team that both anticipates and responds to the interests of Restonians of every age, nationality, and walk of life.  I will lend my enthusiasm, energy, expertise, and love of Reston to these efforts.

VICKY WINGERT

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

I have been a Reston resident since 1973 and have had many opportunities to participate actively in the Reston community. For many years I worked for the Reston Association as the Day Camp Director, Open Space Director and finally the Chief Executive Officer. I have served as President of the Reston Historic Trust and on the Reston Association Board of Directors and the Friends of Reston Board. In my younger years I coached girls’ softball and basketball teams. Reston is my home and RCC is an organization that contributes significantly to making my home an exciting place to live.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

I have had the opportunity to live, to work and to play in Reston for over four decades. I know the community well. The core values that shaped Reston, a welcoming place for all, are the same values that RCC brings to its outreach efforts in the community and to its programming. As the one organization that represents all of Reston, residential and commercial stakeholders alike, RCC is in the unique position to provide a sense of cohesiveness in the community. The challenge today is to find new avenues for connecting with the diverse community that Reston has become. I have spent a lifetime in the parks and recreation planning arena and bring that experience to assist in providing programming that connects with our increasingly diverse population and promotes the sense of belonging that is characteristic of the Reston community.