Daton Lynch Running In 2026 RA Board Of Directors Election

RESTON, VA — Seven candidates are running in the month-long Reston Association Board of Directors election.

All RA members who are in good standing are eligible to cast ballots starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 and ending at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. The 2026-2027 Board of Directors will be announced at the Annual Members' Meeting on Tuesday, April 14.

A 10 percent quorum is required for the results of the election to be official.

Paper ballots will be mailed to eligible RA members, who may also choose to vote electronically. Questions about the RA election may be sent to electionscommittee@reston.org. Request your electronic ballot by emailing: eballot.request@reston.org.

At-Large Director (3-year term):

• John Farrell
• Greg McCandless
• Daton Lynch

Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Director (2-year term)

• Georgina Cannan
• Nathen Phillips
• Ramon Pardo

Apartment Owners' Representative (3-year term)

• Margaret Perry

In order to help voters learn more about the candidates and their positions, Patch invited each candidate to fill out a questionnaire. The following are Lynch's responses.

Name

Daton Lynch

Position You Are Running For

At-Large Director

Education

JD University of Baltimore; BA University of Maryland, College Park

Occupation

Attorney

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Commissioner, Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission (2018-2021)

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Every At-Large candidate values Reston. The difference is not commitment. The difference is approach. Some perspectives rely only on Reston's past. Others focus only on Reston in the present. Both are important.

My approach intentionally connects three dimensions: Reston's legacy, Reston's present governing needs, and preparing for long-term stewardship of Reston's continued future.

I am deeply committed to Reston’s founding principles — environmental stewardship, thoughtful planning, and community engagement — not just in words, but in action. My platform prioritizes permanently protecting Reston's golf courses from development.

I also respect the structural realities we face today — budgets, capital reserves, infrastructure demands, and assessment pressures. Strong governance and fiscal discipline are foundational and non-negotiable.

But Reston must also prepare responsibly for the years ahead. That means modernizing revenue strategies to relieve pressure on assessments, diversifying funding sources where appropriate, strengthening amenities thoughtfully, and moving from temporary protections to permanent structural solutions.

In this way, as a member of the Board, I would honor the wisdom of the past, navigate the present challenges, and seek sustainable, long-term strategies to secure Reston's future--but all in service to the members.

That integrated approach is what differentiates me from the other candidates.

What issues define your campaign platform?

My platform is centered on three principles: protect; modernize; and empower.

Protect: Permanently protect the Reston National Golf Course from development; block casino proposals at every stage; preserve the character and green space that define Reston.

Modernize: Diversify revenue so assessments remain affordable and predictable; plan a fiscally responsible, phased indoor recreation facility; improve mobile signal connectivity in neighborhoods and on trails; pilot curbside vacuum leaf collection for single-family homes.

Empower: Ensure members see a clear connection between their assessments and the value they receive; increase responsiveness and engagement; give residents more control in shaping Reston’s future.

I am committed to honoring Reston’s founding principles while evolving responsibly to meet the needs of today’s families and tomorrow’s residents.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Advocacy and strong voices matter — but they are not enough. Governance requires results.

In my professional work, I have helped champion legislative frameworks that became law in multiple states and supported regulatory changes adopted by public agencies across the country. Those outcomes were not accidental. They required strategic planning, executive-level engagement, disciplined relationship-building, and sustained follow-through.

Moving policy from concept to enactment demands structure, preparation, and the ability to navigate complex systems responsibly. It requires knowing how to align stakeholders, anticipate obstacles, and execute a plan over time.

That is the kind of work I have done — and it is the kind of results-focused perspective I would bring to the Reston Association Board.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

Success would mean reducing long-term pressure on assessments through responsible revenue diversification, securing long-term protections for the golf courses and open space, advancing a financially sound plan for indoor recreation, and strengthening the connection between what members pay in assessments and the value they receive in services.

What is your vision for the Reston community?

My vision is a Reston that is financially stable, environmentally protected, and structurally prepared for the future. I envision:

1. Permanently protected open space;
2. Responsible opposition to incompatible development;
3. Assessments that remain predictable and affordable;
4. Amenities that evolve thoughtfully with the needs of members; and
5. A Board that actively strengthens Reston’s long-term position.

Reston should not simply defend what it has. It should deliberately secure it.

The best advice shared with me was:

"It's never too late to be who you might have been," is not only a powerful quote, it is also the best advice shared with me, and I think is an appropriate note for Reston as well.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

As a resident, parent, swim-dad, and volunteer youth coach, my family is invested in Reston’s long-term success. To protect what Reston has, I will bring preparation, accountability, and listening. To obtain what Reston needs, I will bring due-diligence, vision, and forward-thinking stewardship.