Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. announces the 2021 Lords and Ladies Fairfax. The tradition of honoring Lords and Ladies Fairfax began in 1984 as a unique way to recognize exceptional citizens of Fairfax County. Each year, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors selects two people from each district who have demonstrated superior volunteer service, heroism, or other special accomplishments to receive the award. The Lords and Ladies will be honored at an award ceremony, Salute to Lords and Ladies Fairfax, on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
2021 Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees
At-Large, Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay
Ms. Pamela Montesinos
Pamela Montesinos and her teammates at Western Fairfax Christian Ministries have been a beacon of hope for so many in Fairfax County as the
COVID-19 pandemic has created a crisis unlike any that most of us have seen before. WFCM has been a trusted partner, and provider, for our Fairfax County community since the start of the pandemic. This support has not wavered, and Pamela continues to lead the Client Operations and Programs at WFCM at “full steam ahead” to ensure that our residents at risk for hunger and homelessness are cared for with grace and dignity.
Mr. Andres Jimenez
Andres Jimenez is a model of citizen involvement in local government. Through multiple avenues, he has found a way to speak up for causes
important to him and in support of the most vulnerable members of our community. As an environmental advocate, he has been a crucial voice to
serve as the Chairman’s appointee to the Planning Commission. In this role, he has dedicated countless hours and long evenings to thoroughly vetting land use policies to ensure each one meets the needs of our community. He has committed to bringing an equity lens into every decision he makes in this role. Notably, Andres stepped up to serve on the Chairman’s Task Force for Equity and Opportunity this past year, to further advocate for a future in Fairfax County where all community members are able to thrive.
Braddock District, Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw
Ms. Leeann Alberts
Leeann Alberts is the Braddock District Representative for the Fairfax County Health Care Advisory Board, and the immediate past Chair of the
Fairfax Area Disability Services Board. She is serving on the Board of the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, as well as the Kings Park Civic Association Board. She has served on the Northern Virginia Training Center Task Force, the Long Term Care Coordinating Council, and the Community Consolidated Funding Pool evaluation team for Fairfax County. Ms. Alberts holds a JD from Suffolk University Law School, an MBA from Western New England College and a BA from Boston College.
Mr. Robert W. “Bob” Cosgriff
Mr. Cosgriff is the incumbent Braddock District representative and Vice-Chair of the Trails, Sidewalks and Bikeways Committee. He is very
active in his community and is currently serving in the Fairfax County Medical Reserve Corps. Previously he has been a part of the Laurel Hill Task
Force, Laurel Hill Citizens Project Advisory Committee, Braddock District Council, Hickory Farms Community Association, and served as the
President for the Board of Directors for Residential youth Services, Inc. Mr. Cosgriff is a graduate of Villanova University (BA, Honors Program –
Humanities, magna cum laude) and earned an MA in Education from Pepperdine University. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for 24
years, retiring as a commander, and subsequently worked in higher educational administration and defense contracting.
Dranesville District, Supervisor John W. Foust
Ms. Janie Strauss
Janie Strauss was a member of the Fairfax County School Board for 26 years. She served multiple terms as chair, vice-chair, and budget chair.
During her tenure full day kindergarten, advanced programs available to all students in all schools and arts as a core curriculum became the norm. She has served as the board chair of The Country Day School in McLean, is a past President of the Fairfax County Council of PTAs and was instrumental in founding the McLean Teen Center. She is currently the director of Cappies, a large regional program for high school theatre and journalism students.
Mr. William Canis
Serving as president of the Great Falls Citizens Association since 2016, and previously as its vice president and environment and parks committee
chair, Bill Canis is a team builder, working diligently with his GFCA colleagues and federal. state, and local officials to increase the voice of
residents in county land use and school decisions, preserve and expand the tree canopy, improve deer management, seek safer local roads while
protecting their historic two-lane characteristics, add mobility options for pedestrians, and preserve historic assets such as Turner Farm, the Grange,
and Forestville Schoolhouse. He has also served for a decade as a scout leader, assisting Great Falls youth in developing leadership skills and
environmental awareness.
Hunter Mill District, Supervisor Walter L. Alcorn
Ms. Brenda Irons – LeCesne
A resident of Reston since 1977, Brenda Irons-LeCesne has given her time and talents to many community and service organizations that focus on
providing resources and activities designed to engage the African American community. She is a leader and a motivator. The many awards that she and her organizations have received are evidence of the significant contribution she has made to Hunter Mill District and Fairfax County. Brenda is one-half of the Irons-LeCesne team. She and Alvarez are a busy couple, but their relationship is their priority. They support each other in all their activities and believe strongly in the importance of family, friends and community.
Mr. Alvarez LeCesne, Jr.
Alvarez LeCesne Jr. has been a resident of Reston since 1977 and an active member of the community serving as a manager and volunteer with
nonprofit organizations. In particular, he has taken a leadership role and had significant involvement with activities that focus on diversity, children,
education, and health. The recognition awards that he has received are evidence of the significant contribution he has made to Hunter Mill District
and Fairfax County. Alvarez is one-half of the Irons-LeCesne team. While he and Brenda are a busy couple, their relationship is their priority. They
support each other in all their activities and believe strongly in the importance of family, friends and community.
Lee District, Supervisor Rodney L. Lusk
Ms. Renee Grebe
As a 20-year resident of Lee District, Renee Grebe works to connect residents with the value of their local ecology. From getting her hands dirty
doing conservation projects in her HOA or leading volunteers in invasive plant removals, to testifying at Board of Supervisors public hearings and
doing environmental advocacy, Renee advocates for a more sustainable Fairfax. The biggest reward for Renee is to see a person witness the magic of the natural world around them, in the hopes that this spark will evolve into action to preserve that magic. The second biggest reward is if they join her on an invasive plant pull, especially if they bring work gloves!
Mr. Keith Foxx
Keith Foxx has been a longtime mentor for youth in Lee District, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County transportation projects and Fairfax
County libraries. For almost 2 decades, Keith has been mentoring youth through the County program, FairfaxFamilies4Kids. These connections
have extended into adulthood for some of these youth. Keith also served on the PTSA at Lewis High School and continues his volunteer efforts at Key Middle School and the high school. Keith has also served the public as a civil engineer for the County’s Transportation Design Branch helping to improve multi-modal transportation options across the County. Keith is currently a member of the Library Board of Trustees representing the Lee District.
Mason District, Supervisor Penelope A. Gross
Dr. Nancy Joyner
Dr. Nancy Joyner, is an active community member for over 35 years and is best known for creating the Team Joyner Foundation after the untimely
death of her son, Clayton (Coach CJ) Joyner. She converted the Coach CJ’s Victory Lane Aquatic Club into a year-round non-profit organization which trains youth in competitive swimming. Nancy is a certified referee and stroke and turn judge for the Northern Virginia Swim League and is a
founder of NOVA United Senior Women’s Basketball Association, competing in regional tournaments and the National Senior Olympic
Games and is currently the Magister of the Court of Camelot.
Mr. William D. Lecos
Bill Lecos moved to Mason District in 1962, growing up in a family committed to community and public service. Bill has served as a director of
the Sleepy Hollow Recreation Association and the Lake Barcroft Association. He initiated the Community Night Out event in Lake Barcroft
to recognize first responders, including the water safety staff, and the installation of a community playground in Lake Barcroft. Bill is Mason
District’s appointee to the Visit Fairfax board, served on the Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners Comprehensive Plan Task Force, and the Site
Specific Plan Amendment Task Force in Mason District.
Mount Vernon District, Supervisor Daniel G. Storck
Ms. Lisa Sales
Lisa Sales has worked in both public and private sectors and served as a consultant for numerous nonprofit organizations. Over the course of her
career, she has worked for the Executive Office of the President, two New York State Governors, a California Congressman, and multiple state and
local officials. However, she pours her heart into her volunteer efforts and is a trailblazer in women’s equity, domestic and sexual violence prevention
and victim support, and racial equality. Lisa was a very vocal member of the Commission on Women, especially for issues in disenfranchised or
marginalized communities. Due to Lisa’s advocacy, the Commission’s bylaws are the first in the county to include an equity statement. She was a
driving force behind the Virginia General Assembly ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) last year and continues to work to get Congress to
fully ratify the amendment. Lisa was also one of the “Three Musketeers” who was determined to bring a domestic violence shelter opened in the
South County area in 2019. Understandably, Lisa’s initiatives, strong drive for equity, and mindfulness makes her a formidable and well respected
advocate in the community.
Dr. Keary Kincannon
Reverend Dr. Keary Kincannon is a leader and innovator in the Mount Vernon community. Keary earned his doctoral degree from Wesley
Theological Seminary and began his career as a community organizer. Knowing he did not want to serve a traditional church, in 1996, he founded
Rising Hope Mission Church to support the community of the least, the lost, the lonely, and the left out, along Route One. Under his leadership,
Rising Hope provides 125,000 direct services to 6,000 individuals, operates a food pantry serving 1,000 families, a kitchen serving 16,000 hot meals and a hypothermia shelter serving 125. Keary is also a founding pastor of V.O.I.C.E. (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) a
broad-based, multi-racial, multi-faith, multi-issue, non-partisan citizens’ organization dedicated to social justice issues of low/ middle-income
residents. After 26 years of ministering, Keary is officially retiring, but he has left an indelible mark on the lives of so many residents and he will
remain an active leader in our community.
Providence District, Supervisor Dalia A. Palchik
Ms. Mercedes Dash
Mercedes Dash was born in Cuba in 1952. After Castro’s takeover Mercedes and her sister were sent to the U.S as refugees. Arriving in Miami in January 1962, they were placed in a foster home until their parents’ arrival two years later. The family relocated to Virginia. Mercedes graduated from GMU with a degree in Multicultural Education Administration. She has operated a multicultural early childhood education program since 1990, and represents Providence District on the CCAC Board. Mercedes bakes for children in foster homes/shelters in Fairfax through Cake4Kids. She is the 2021 recipient of the Heart of Service Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mr. Ken McMillon
Ken McMillon joined the Fairfax County’s Community Action Advisory Board (CAAB) in March 2013. He has spent years as a strong advocate for
affordable housing. Among the many roles and advisory boards he has served on in his fight to bring more affordable housing to Fairfax, Ken
presented the Virginia Peters Memorial Fair Housing Award in 2018. He was appointed to the Preservation of Affordable Housing Task Force in August 2020.
Springfield District, Supervisor Pat Herrity
Ms. Christy Hudson
Christy Hudson is a passionate advocate for FCPS students, a mother of three, and a longtime Springfield resident. Through her work with the
Fairfax County Parents Association as founding member and Communications Director, she has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf
of parents and students in the County who wanted to better navigate the school system and have a choice in their students’ education when it came
to coming back to school. Through her leadership, enthusiasm, and drive she has worked to make our school system more accessible to all.
Mr. Evan Draim
Evan Draim, an incoming Commissioned Officer in the Navy JAG Corps who has worked to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities in the
autism spectrum in addition to serving wounded warriors through his work with ServiceSource as an Employment Development Specialist and Legal
and Policy Specialist. In addition to his work with ServiceSource, Evan is active with a number of other community organizations.
Sully District, Supervisor Kathy L. Smith
Ms. Debbie Kilpatrick
Supervisor Smith values the contributions Debbie Kilpatrick has made to the residents of Sully District through her education advocacy and
community engagement serving in county organizations, PTA, and Fairfax County BACs. Family-school-community advocacy and addressing our
diverse needs, is a passion of Debbie’s, and her dedication to children and families within Sully District and throughout Fairfax County, is
commendable. Debbie serves as the Sully District Representative to the Barbara Varon Volunteer Award Selection Committee and the Community
Action Advisory Board (CAAB).
Mr. Carlos Carrero
On behalf of the residents of the Sully District, Supervisor Smith is honored to recognize the values and contributions that Mr. Carlos Carrero has made to the residents of Sully District through his steadfast advocacy and community engagement. Mr. Carrero is locally known as the “Mayor of the
Meadows”, serving the Meadows of Chantilly community not only as their friend and neighbor, but as their advocate and voice for the community.
Mr. Carrero is also known simply as “Coach Carlos” to so many of the local youth and adolescents that he has coached in various local sports. His
dedication to families and the youth within his community and within Sully District is truly admirable. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr.
Carrero partnered with various County agencies and community groups to secure and distribute food and toiletries to his community. Currently,
Carlos Carrero serves on Fairfax County’s Manufactured Housing Task Force, and is dedicating his time to ensure the continued housing of some
of the County’s most at risk.
