McKay Elected As Virginia Association of Counties President

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay was elected to serve as 2021 president of the Virginia Association of Counties at a Wednesday meeting of the association's members.

The association advocates with the state legislature for the commonwealth's 95 counties. McKay assumes the role while serving as board chairman in Fairfax County, Virginia's most populous jurisdiction. He became chairman in 2020 after serving as Lee District supervisor.

According to a news release from the chairman's office, McKay has led efforts with the Virginia Association of Counties over the last few years to significantly increase state education funding and transportation funding, as well as amplify the perspective of counties statewide.

McKay succeeds Nottoway County Chairman Stephen Bowen as president of the association. During the upcoming year, McKay will be tasked with the continuing challenges of the pandemic. In an acceptance speech, he commended Gov. Ralph Northam and localities for supporting communities, as well as the association for advocating with the governor's administration, legislature, and federal government on behalf of county needs during the pandemic.

"It goes without saying, that this year has tested all of us," said McKay in the speech. "Next year will likely also be a difficult one. Just like this past year, we should expect the unexpected, but we will manage 2021 as we did 2020, together."

McKay also wants to lead the association with the same kind of equity lens that drives his work in Fairfax County.

"As a kid riding my bike with friends, I didn’t realize what this meant, but I saw firsthand that where you come from was an important factor for your future success and livelihood. When I got older, I understood that this was wrong," said McKay. "This was a driving force behind my decision to begin a career in local government and an inspiration behind the One Fairfax equity policy that I introduced in 2017. This policy has become central to all decision making in Fairfax County by requiring us to look at all policies through a lens of equity. I want to apply that same lens toward our statewide efforts, so that all areas of the Commonwealth can grow and prosper together."

His tenure as president of the Virginia Association of Counties began on Wednesday.