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The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' Associations

requests the pleasure of your company at the

Seventy–first Annual Awards Banquet

Banquet Program

honoring

2022 Fairfax County Citizen of the Year

Marco Johnson
Marco Johnson

Citation of Merit Honoree

Michele Menapace
Michele Menapace

Linda Moore
Linda Moore

Special Gratitude Award Honoree

Peter F. Murphy
Peter F. Murphy

Sunday, the Seventh of May, 2023

at the

Springfield Golf & Country Club

8301 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, Virginia

Cocktails 5:30 p.m.

Program 6:30 p.m.

Cost $65

Please consider becoming a sponsor of the Citizen Of the Year Honors Banquet

Please click here to register and pay for the Banquet


Marco Johnson

Marco Johnson


the 2022 Fairfax County Citizen of the Year

Mr. Marco Johnson leads, connects, and mobilizes individuals and communities to 'be ready' for community emergencies. Mr. Johnson's approach and energy unites Emergency Management organizations, the American Red Cross, (Be Red Cross Ready), the Fairfax County Emergency Management Program, public health mission via, the Medical Reserve Corps, Community Emergency Response Team, and other volunteer centric missions. Mr. Johnson's focus is on stronger emergency integration support and broad professional emergency response planning for Fairfax County, Virginia State, Federal (FEMA), and the Region. In various volunteer roles within Disaster Relief Organizations, Mr. Johnson networks a unified approach for County emergency readiness partnerships in sharing knowledge, skills, and capabilities. Marco Johnson is an instructor for the American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services and Preparedness Programs and volunteers with the CERT Community Emergency Response Teams Support to the Fire and Rescue Department of Fairfax and leads several areas in the regional CERTCON events. Mr. Johnson volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corps of Fairfax County and the Emergency Management Volunteer Corps in Fairfax leading community engagement and training programs including 'You Are the Help Until Help Arrives', 'Stop the Bleed: Bleeding Control', Hands Only Resuscitation and other programs and projects. Mr. Johnson has a positive effect on emergency preparedness relationships in the community. Mr. Johnson is a lifelong County volunteer with boundless hours of training, instructing, and sharing how to be safe, ready and serve. Mr. Johnson has devoted countless hours and personal energy to making Fairfax County an outstanding place to live.

Mr. Johnson served Fairfax County by maintaining the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Readiness Program providing ERV capacity to respond as an American Red Cross Specialty Vehicle driver. Mr. Johnson has served as Shelter Supervisor in several shelters at different locations across Fairfax County. Mr. Johnson responded as Shelter Manager in Paradise, California following the apocalyptic wildfires that engulfed the town in 2018, the deadliest wildfire in the state's history. Mr. Johnson served as a Fairfax Rebuilding Together volunteer on the non–profit's team in New Orleans in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina that damaged 200,000 homes and displaced more than 800,000 residents of the region. Marco conducted virtual preparedness sessions for the Fairfax community throughout 2020, 2021, and 2022 keeping public health concerns foremost. When appropriate, Marco served in–person, taking all necessary precautions for those in attendance. Mr. Johnson served the MRC Medical Reserve Corps 2020 Call Centers, and during 2021, COVID–19 Vaccination Point–of–Dispensing (PODs) locations. Mr. Johnson was the County–wide Lead for the National Night Out community emergency response team demonstrating county awareness among neighborhoods regarding safety, security, and emergency preparedness. Mr. Johnson developed and conducted a 9/11 Remembrance Day event for the Sunset Manor Baileys Crossroads community. He actively translates preparedness training into real and practical efforts to serve the Fairfax County community.

Positions

  • American Red Cross (ARC), Regional Preparedness Program Lead, Reunification Program Lead, 2018–present.
  • ARC Instructor, Youth Program Pillowcase Project, and adult 'Be Ready' education program, 2010–present.
  • ARC Instructor, ARC adult emergency preparedness program, 2010–present.
  • Fairfax County Board of Supervisors confirmed the appointment of Marco Johnson as Representative to the Citizens Corp Council for Mason District Supervisor, Penny Gross, 2021–present.
  • Fairfax County CERT Program Instructor, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), 2005–present
  • Rebuilding Together Fairfax, Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria. 2009–Present.
  • Community Engagement, direct service in Point of Dispensing (POD) activities, Fairfax County Medical Reserve Corp (MRC), 2006–present.
  • President, Sunset Manor Civic Association, 2014–present.
  • Fairfax County DEMS Emergency Management Volunteer Corps Instructor, Planner, Integrator

Mr. Marco Johnson is nominated for 2022 Citizen of the Year for outstanding dedication, leadership, and expertise in emergency preparedness to Fairfax County. In volunteer roles, as leader and champion, Marco Johnson has worked with County government leaders and citizens across the county leading county teams, multi–county teams and integrated state teams for the Emergency Management Volunteer Corps, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the American Red Cross in developing and implementing disaster preparedness programs. Mr. Johnson has represented the county public health department, the Fairfax County Citizen Corp Council, and outstanding public health leaders (local, regional, state, federal) in designing and implementing County emergency awareness programs and projects to respond to emergency vulnerabilities. Marco Johnson has given thousands of hours of his time to assist the county, older adults, and people with functional needs. Mr. Johnson is an outstanding nominee for Citizen of the Year for his example of meeting community needs and as team builder of Fairfax County emergency response preparedness initiatives serving Fairfax County. Mr. Johnson has earned the respect of his colleagues for his tireless efforts and deserves our thanks.

Marco was born in Washington, DC, and currently lives in Fairfax County, Virginia. Marco attended the 10th grade in Finland, attended the 11th and 12th grades in Germany. Marco received a BS in Computer Science and Master's in Technology of Management degrees from the American University, Washington DC, and a Chief Information Officer certificate from the National Defense University. Marco is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Certified Systems Professional. Marco mentors American Heritage Girls troops, Girl Scouts and Brownies groups, Boy Scout Troops, and Eagle Scouts in achieving their Scout goals, for example, by building wheelchair ramps, with first aid merit badges and in completing projects on emergency preparedness. Marco is a self–trained arborist on native Virginia plants and contributes time and energy to the ecosystem conservation of animal and plant habitats.

Michele Menapace

Citation of Merit Recipient Michele Menapace

Michele Menapace has been volunteering in Fairfax County for the past 12 plus years.

Michele has served on and continues to serve on numerous Fairfax County Boards, Authorities and Commissions. This has been extremely valuable and has provided support and assistance to many. Additionally, during the height of the COVID–19 pandemic she volunteered for food and mask distributions and designed and sewed masks for residents. She was the Franconia District (formerly Lee District) Community Champion (Volunteer Fairfax) in 2020.

Her work on the Fairfax County Board Authorities and Commissions is impactful and needed. Michele has served on the following:

  • The Community Action Advisory Board helps ensure that federal Community Service Block Grants are wisely and efficiently spent on the county’s greatest needs among those living in poverty.
  • The Human Services Council continues to advise the Board of Supervisors on spending via the Human Services Resource plan by collaboration with other BACs and via outreach to the community.
  • The Consolidated Community Funding Advisory Committee serves as the lead organization for the Five Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan required for federal Community Development Block Grants, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funds. The committee also advises staff and the Board of Supervisors on implementation of the Consolidated Community Funding Pool
Additionally, in Michele's own words:
  • The pandemic made it next to impossible to encourage volunteerism as nonprofits were forced to distance their services from both clients and supporters alike. My personal health concerns compelled my being cautious, as well. So the bulk of my community contributions focused on produce pickup from farmers markets and those skills I could utilize from home: sewing and needlework. Family and friends were my initial focus for masks. As the circle of our contacts expanded, people asked to buy them. The “payment” I requested was simple: pay it forward. Mask recipients were asked to make some sort of donation — it could be money or time— — to a nonprofit in the community. This resulted in donations to So Others Might Eat, World Central Kitchen, Food for Others and more.
  • I'e been proud to share awareness of poverty, food insecurity and homelessness via social media, which was pivotal in expanding my personal knowledge of the appalling situations on American tribal lands.
  • Locally, during the pandemic, I focused my efforts on organizations addressing food insecurity, primarily Food for Others, but also the Fairfax County Health Department, Office for Children, and clients receiving food via World Central Kitchen— via activities that would have the most immediate impact on clients while affording the greatest social distancing. As calls for masks were made, I set to work sewing, using fabric I'd accumulated over the years. I made and donated more than 250 masks to the Fairfax County organizations and more than 100 to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota (especially in children's sizes).
  • The summer months saw my time focused on my long–time activity of collecting & delivering leftover produce from farmers markets to Food for Others.
  • Life everywhere was focused on needs triggered by the COVID–19 pandemic. I can't recall a single nonprofit that didn't’ realign their efforts to that challenge, with most unable to accommodate any work beyond food distribution. My volunteer efforts were similarly focused. Via the Food Council’s Food Access Workgroup, I connected with a volunteer distributing meals from World Central Kitchen and provided masks for clients during one of their events.
  • I can't quantify the precise impact of my work, I know that hundreds of individuals have received healthy, fresh produce during our local growing season (May–December). At least 400 people received reusable cloth masks to protect against COVID who might not otherwise have had them.

Linda Moore

Citation of Merit Recipient Linda Moore

Linda Moore has the perfect name and the perfect personality for volunteering! Linda in Spanish means beautiful and no matter what task you give her, Linda always seems to do things beautifully, with a fantastic attitude, and a willingness to take on more. She is a lovely person, and we are very fortunate she selected Volunteer Solutions as one of the many groups she has donated her time, energy, and talents to over the years. In addition to Volunteer Solutions, she has also volunteered with other agencies in the County such as Department of Emergency Management, Neighborhood and Community Services, and Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS).

Linda has worked with Volunteer Solutions for more than seven years in the Reston, Herndon, Falls Church, and Chantilly areas. She has done multiple tasks with us and other agencies in the county while being a long–distance caregiver to her mother and working full–time for Fairfax County government in the Information Technology Department. As one of the Regional Volunteer Coordinators for Volunteer Solutions, I first had the privilege of working closely with Linda in spring 2022 when she agreed to reconnect with a client who has hoarding tendencies. Linda had built up impressive rapport and a level of trust with this client because she had helped her regularly in the past to purge, organize, and donate items. As of May, the client was moving but did not know when. In June 2022, a place became available, and the client had just a few weeks to move. The client was desperately in need of volunteer help to prepare for the move as she could not afford to hire movers and physically was not up to the tasks involved. She has no family support and no close friends.

I found a group of eight volunteers who took shifts and worked with Linda throughout this timeframe, but the one constant for every packing session was Linda. She was there organizing the client’s belongings and coordinating the other volunteers, which increased the amount of progress that was made. Linda spent over 50 hours(!) during the month of June helping this client after work and on weekends. This was no simple, easy feat, and yet, Linda was gentle, dedicated, and kind, facing every challenge with persistence and a sense of humor. She even used her lunch hour to take items on behalf of the client to the donation centers. The client would have been lost without Linda's extraordinary guidance and organizational expertise.

In addition to helping clients one–on–one with various tasks such as power–washing, organizing, and yard work which helps aging clients remain in their homes and communities longer, Linda also enthusiastically joined a new program that we (Volunteer Solutions) started last year. With the help of COVID Relief funds from the state of Virginia, the Companion Pet Program was created. The Hasbro company created cats, dogs, and birds called Joy for All companion pets as one way to address loneliness. They respond to sound and touch.

Extensive research has been done across the nation about the benefits these pets have brought to older adults in addressing loneliness and helping people age–in–place. Linda is one of several volunteers who assists in distributing these automated friends and demonstrates their special functions to each recipient. Along with other volunteers, she also helps us collect data and measure the impact the pets are making in enhancing the lives of some of our most isolated clients, via surveys that she administers to the pet recipients.

Linda cares about all her community members regardless of their age or their challenge. She has worked for four years with another group within the Department of Family Services, DSVS, helping them bring attention and awareness to the issues of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. In her volunteer role with DSVS, Linda served as a community ambassador and assisted in special events such as the Walk to End Sexual Violence and assembling sensory kits for those impacted by these issues. Even though the work of DSVS often comes with tough emotions to bear, Linda always served the community with a warm and approachable demeanor (something that is so important with the type of work done in this field.) She has also been very involved with the Medical Reserve Corps & Fairfax County Department of transportation events as a volunteer. No matter where she goes, or with whom she interacts, she shows up with a smile on her face, positive energy, and ready to engage in a delightful conversation. We, in Volunteer Solutions, think that Linda is very deserving of this honor because we know that she has changed many people’s lives in countless ways with the “more” that she gives to make others’ lives better.

Positions:

  • 2022–present: CORE Foundation Reston Triathlon and Reston Youth Super Hero Bike Captain
  • 2021––present: Medical Reserve Corp: non–medical Covid–19 Vaccination Clinic Volunteer
  • 2021–2021: Volunteer Fairfax: Covid–19 Vaccination Clinic Volunteer and Companion Pet Program
  • 2020–present: FCDOT Bicycle Ambassador
  • 2017––2020: Artemis House Shelter: supported mothers and children surviving domestic violence
  • 2013––present: St. John’s Community Services, Board Chair for State of Virginia and Board of Trustees Member
  • 2017–2021: Office for Women and Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
  • 2015–2020: County Department of Family Services’ Area Agency on Aging
  • 2014–present: Harpers Square Cluster Homeowner’s Association, Board Member
Linda is very outgoing and gregarious. She loves helping other people and inspiring others to volunteer. She is not at all afraid of hard work, but she also knows how to have fun. She is equally comfortable working with large groups of people as she is working one on one with the most vulnerable clients. She is versatile, vivacious, and humble. When asked if we could nominate her for an award, her reply was quintessential Linda when she said "What an honor. Thank you! And yes, I will give my permission . especially if it encourages others to volunteer. Win/win! Thank you for thinking of me”. Volunteer Solutions knows that we are the winners when it comes to having a volunteer like Linda Moore who represents us so well to the community. We could not ask for more.

Years of volunteering, in varying capacities, across a wide spectrum of service organizations, has made Linda a passionate and tireless advocate and activist. Numerous service organizations including Volunteer Solutions are proud to have Linda as a friend and an example of what a passionate and life–long volunteer looks like.

Linda'’s service advocacy has resulted in the following recognitions:

  • St. John’s Community Services Advocate Award, in recognition for advancing community support and opportunities for people living with disabilities.
  • Shelter House Changing Lives Award, in recognition of supporting the agency mission of envisioning a community free of homelessness and domestic violence.
  • Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB) Honors Award in Partnership, in recognition of partnering with CSB to promote, reinforce, and advance CSB’s vision, mission, and values.

Peter F. Murphy

Special Gratitude Award Honoree Peter F. Murphy

Peter F. Murphy was appointed to the Planning Commission by the Board of Supervisors in December 1982 to represent the Springfield District. His current term will expire in December 2026. Commissioner Murphy continues as Commission Chairman – first elected in 1989. He previously served two terms as Vice Chairman and three years as Commission Secretary.

Commissioner Murphy has been an active member of the following committees and task forces: Policy and Procedures, Subcommittee on P–Districts; Lot Reduction Ordinance Amendment; 50th Anniversary; Redevelopment and Housing; Transportation; Fort Belvoir Engineer Proving Ground Task Force; Route 28 Corridor Task Force; C&I Advisory; Parks; and Infill and Residential Development. In prior years, he also chaired the following: Fort Belvoir/BRAC Area Plan Review Committee; Capital Improvement Program Committee; Seminar Committee; Committee on Proffers and Staff Reports; Development Criteria Committee; Retail Uses in Industrial Districts Committee; Committee on 456/2232 Procedures; and Mini–Mart Committee.

Commissioner Murphy served as the Board of Supervisors’ appointee to the Baseball Site Selection Task Force and served as Chairman of the Western Fairfax VRE Station Study Task Force. He also chaired the County’s Telecommunications Task Force. He was the first elected chairman of the Northern Virginia Planning District Commission’s Council for Planning Commission Chairmen. Commissioner Murphy was appointed in June 2006 and still serves as an At–Large member of the Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. Board of Directors. He is also a member The Old Guard Monument Campaign Leadership Council. In 2010, he was selected to serve on the Department of Defense 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration Commission.

Commissioner Murphy is the recipient of the following awards and honors: the Department of the Army Commander’s Award (Medal) for Public Service (2009); the 2007 Lawrence V. Fowler Award, established to recognize the service of a member of a county government board, authority, commission or committee; the 2006 Katherine K. Hanley Public Service Award from Leadership Fairfax, Inc.; the Times Courier Citizen of the Year Award; the Distinguished Public Service Leadership Award presented by the Springfield District Council; the Fairfax County Volunteer of the Year Award in the Community Leader Category; an Honors Award from the County’s Department of Planning and Zoning; the Army Ten–Miler Leadership Award; Honorary Alumnus, Norwich University; Honorary Chief, Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department; and the 2003 James Scott Public Community Spirit Award from Celebrate Fairfax, Inc.

He was also selected as a “Center of Influence” by the U.S. Army Cadet Command in 2010. In 1999, Commissioner Murphy was named Lord Fairfax for the Springfield District, and, in 2013, he received the Celebrate Fairfax Ambassador Award presented to those who have dedicated themselves to the success of Celebrate Fairfax and who have served for extended periods of time significantly improving the organization and its events.

Commissioner Murphy, a graduate of Boston College who received an Army Commission through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, is in the public relations and communications field in the private sector.

His lifelong dedication of service is set to be recognized by the Board of Supervisors at a public event with a resolution being presented to him.

Positions:

  • Planning Commissioner for Springfield District (1982–present)
  • Chairman of the Planning Commission (1989–2023)
  • Active roles in the following committees & task forces: Policy and Procedures, Subcommittee on P–Districts; Lot Reduction Ordinance Amendment; 50th Anniversary; Redevelopment and Housing; Transportation; Fort Belvoir Engineer Proving Ground Task Force; Route 28 Corridor Task Force; C&I Advisory; Parks; and Infill and Residential Development
  • Lord Fairfax for the Springfield District
  • Chaired the following: Fort Belvoir/BRAC Area Plan Review Committee; Capital Improvement Program Committee; Seminar Committee; Committee on Proffers and Staff Reports; Development Criteria Committee; Retail Uses in Industrial Districts Committee; Committee on 456/2232 Procedures; and Mini–Mart Committee
  • Board of Supervisors' Appointee to the Baseball Site Selection Task Force and served as Chairman of the Western Fairfax VRE Station Study Task Force
  • Former Chairman of the Northern Virginia Planning District Commission’s Council for Planning Commission Chairmen
  • Also a member The Old Guard Monument Campaign Leadership Council
  • Was selected to serve on the Department of Defense 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration Commission (2010)
  • One of the critical leaders in the design of the current Burke Volunteer Fire Department station (2001)

Commissioner Peter F. Murphy has been an active member of the community for many decades. His dedication to public service shows through his work on task forces and in multiple leadership roles, including being the Honorary Chief of the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department and his work for the county in multiple committees, including the Fort Belvoir Area Plan Review and the Capital Improvement Program committees.

In 1982, Pete was appointed to the Planning Commission by the Board of Supervisors, serving as its Chairman since 1989. During this time, he has played a critical role in transforming the County from a sleepy bedroom community to the economic powerhouse it is today. He has been a leader in forming the land use policies in Fairfax County as we know it from Springfield District cases like Fairfax Corner and Fair Lakes to countywide cases like the Tysons plan.

His vast knowledge of the planning process and Fairfax County’s foundation contributes to how the commission operates, conducts business and makes decisions, and how we grow as a county. His steady leadership is one of the critical elements that has enabled Fairfax County’s development success. While he will remain on the Planning Commission and continue to serve our constituents, he will be stepping down as Chairman after 34 years.

During his time as Chairman, he has received multiple accolades from the community and the Board including the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Public Service, the Kate Hanley Public Service Award, the Fairfax County Volunteer of the Year award in the Community Leader category and was named Lord Fairfax for the Springfield District. He is respected and appreciated by me, staff, the Planning Commission, the Board, land use applicants and attorneys, residents, and all those who have been fortunate to work alongside him.

The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations, established in 1940, is the countywide voice for homeowner, civic, and community associations. An all–volunteer organization, The Federation works on issues that impact Fairfax County residents, including education, transportation, the environment, human services, land use, the county budget, and state and federal legislative issues.

PRESS CONTACT:COY Chair, COY @ fairfaxfederation.org Phone: 571–228–7200

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