4 Candidates Vie For At-Large Seat On Reston Association Board: Update

Updated (1:20 p.m.): This story was updated after Reston Association Board of Directors candidate Shawn Kenney withdrew his name from consideration.

RESTON, VA — Reston Association Board of Directors will choose from among four candidates at its Thursday night meeting on who will fill the vacant at-large seat until the April 2023 election.

The at-large seat has been vacant since former director Glenn Small announced his resignation in an email to the board on Nov. 28, 2022.

"This RA board service was always a 'stretch assignment,' both in terms of bandwidth and association board experience," Small said, in his resignation email. "I had only the desire to see if I could be helpful and to bring an outsider perspective. I think I’ve learned a lot and could be helpful going forward, but in looking at my personal and professional commitments, I’m not able to continue as a board member."

Following Small's resignation, the board put out a call for candidates to fill Small's seat. Five residents submitted applications by the Dec. 3o, 2020 deadline: Trevor Grywatch, Shawn Kenney, Jeff Spurrier, Allen Schissler, and Travis Johnson.

On Tuesday, Kenney withdrew his name from the race, according to RA Spokesman Mike Leone.

Each of the candidates was asked to complete a statement of candidacy by 5 p.m., on Dec. 30, 2022. Although all candidates submitted statements of candidacy. The following are taken from the completed statements included in the documents packet for the Jan. 26 meeting.

Trevor Grywatch

Qualifications: What skills, experience and attributes would make you a good Reston Association Director?

Having grown up in the area, my first experience withReston Association came at a young age.I remember time with friends at the Hunters Woods pool and games at the Nature Center-experiences that I am pleased to share with my wife and daughter today. Professionally, I have held leadership positions in both small and large corporations. During my time as a Business Operations manager with a start-up,I learned the value of lean staffing and maximizing operating funds. As a Director in a global consulting firm, I have had first hand experience managing and operating a $13 million line of business as well as the data analytics program of a highly visible department of theFederal government. I would be excited to bring my business background to RA in hopes that I could help Reston provide the atmosphere and facilities that made my childhood so special.

Goals: What would be your goals as a Reston Association Director If elected, how would your board service impact Reston Association?

My professional background is rooted in data analytics and business intelligence. If selectedt o fill the vacant seat, my goal would be to explore opportunities for a more data-driven approach to, and presentation of, RA’s current business processes. While I am not yet familiar with RA’s exact inner workings, I have seen time and again that even modernized systems stand to gain from data enhancements. Giving RA Directors, staff, and members access to clear and concise analytics regarding capital expenditures, project timelines, and budget transparency could lead not only to enhanced efficiency but greater community engagement.At the board level, I would look to help Directors and staff identify areas to optimize spending. At the member level, I would hope to empower members to become more involved through their ability to access and digest critical information about how their dues are being used.

Robert (Jeff) Spurrier

Qualifications: What skills, experience and attributes would make you a good Reston Association Director?

• Member Board of Directors Towns of Waterford HOA
• Officer Civil Air Patrol, USAF Auxiliary
• Search and Rescue Certified
• Air Crew Mission Certified
• Deployed to various US FEMA sites after national disasters
• Aerospace Teacher Certified
• Fairfax County Assistant Chief of Elections
• Notary Public State of Virginia
• Board Member of Oracle Corp Corporate Giving

As a resident of Reston for over 6 years I have had the pleasure of giving my input to varies committees and civic groups. I am active in volunteering activities and have the time and desire to be a member of the Reston Association. I am passionate about our community and my knowledge of finance, contract negotiations, vendor management, environment and zoning can further add to the duties as a member of the board. I can fully dedicate my time to the Board and hope to participate as a member.

Goals: What would be your goals as a Reston Association Director If elected, how would your board service impact Reston Association?

I promise to be an involved and knowledgeable member on the board. I will listen to all of the issues at hand and strive to gain and in -depth hands-on knowledge of the agenda. I am not afraid to jump in and get my hands dirty in order to represent the residents of Reston. I also understand my fiduciary responsibilities to the board and the residents. I believe in environmental care and the importance of zoning. I have worked in the software industry for over 30 yers and understand IT and cybersecurity. I have also worked the last 10 years in the Public Sector IT industry and understand the challenges a large municipality faces. My clients have ranged from Federal Agencies to State and Local government and high education institutions.

Travis Johnson

Qualifications: What skills, experience and attributes would make you a good Reston Association Director?

My qualifications include:

• Nearly two decades as an information security policy and process consultant for multiple Federal agencies.
• Membership and volunteering in my church.
• Previous membership on a condominium association board.

Goals: What would be your goals as a Reston Association Director If elected, how would your board service impact Reston Association?

• Help Reston retain its core qualities and values in an era of almost unprecedented levels of change by working to advocate for the needs of the Reston Community.
• Engage with the Reston Association staff and Board to ensure processes that work are retained and processes that don't work are improved.
• Use technology to bring Reston even closer together as a community.
• Work to ensure every Restonian feels like a member of the community.