Pathway Homes recognizes community leaders

Tom Fleetwood, the director of Fairfax’s Department of Housing and Community Development, and Del. Mark Sickles of the Potomac Health Foundation were acknowledged by Pathway Homes for their commitment, vision, and assistance. Their efforts to guarantee that disadvantaged community members have access to essential services and a place to live earned them an accolade.

The annual Steps to Pathways Breakfast presented by Pathway Homes featured the awards on November 1.  The event, which drew more than 200 attendees, collected close to $175,000 to assist Pathways’ efforts to prevent and eliminate homelessness. Speakers at the event included recipients of Pathway awards, as well as civic leaders and clients.

A nonprofit organization called Pathways offers secure, permanent housing as well as mental health treatments to people who are disadvantaged by injustice and poverty. For over forty-three years, Pathway Homes has provided affordable housing and essential supportive services to tens of thousands of individuals with serious mental illnesses and other co-occurring disabilities in Northern Virginia, and more recently in Central Florida and Washington, D.C., to help them rebuild their lives.

In 2023, Pathway Homes will have positively impacted over 2,000 lives by implementing the housing first approach and guaranteeing access to secure, reasonably priced housing in permanent supportive housing units. Pathway Homes is a partner in the fight against homelessness.

Named CIO is Fairfax Radiology.

Fairfax Radiology has appointed Jonathan Piersol as their new Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Piersol was the vice president and CIO of The Thurston Group LLC in Camp Springs, Maryland, before joining FRC. In this capacity, he oversaw the implementation of cloud infrastructure to power a worldwide electronic health record system and oversaw a digital transformation plan for a federal government agency in the United States.

Prior to this, Piersol held the positions of principal consultant, owner, and president of Denmark & Associates. He led a management consulting firm that offered technological innovation and digital transformation to customers in the communications, utilities, federal government, and higher education sectors.

According to Lance Boyd, CEO of Fairfax Radiology, “Jon is an effective I.T. leader with three decades of experience leading information technology teams.” “Based on his performance for other companies, we are confident he will be an asset to our organization, and He comes along at a point when we’re growing.”

In his role as CIO, Piersol will create and execute technology-focused best practices and establish FRC as a pioneer in the development of innovative radiology-related technologies.

Piersol stated, “I am committed to creating the best infrastructure possible to support our team, patients, and referring physicians.”

Piersol has a Master of Science in Information Systems from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and an MBA from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

He had previously participated in Operation Desert Shield and Storm as a member of the US Marines. His three adult children include two sons and a daughter, Ariese, 34. He is unmarried.

His grandchildren are Omari, 12, and Malik, 27, as well as Ethan, 20.

The P3 Award goes to Transform 66.

There’s more cause for celebration as the 66 Express gets closer to its first anniversary on November 22. The project Transform 66 Outside the Beltway was chosen on October 26 to receive the 2023 P3 Award for Best Road, Bridge, or Tunnel Project.

The P3 Award, widely regarded as the most esteemed honor in the public/private infrastructure sector, honors the fruitful collaboration between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP, an alliance comprising private developers Cintra, Meridiam, and APG), the entity responsible for developing and managing the 66 Express Outside the Beltway facility, and FAM Construction, a design/build contractor (a partnership between Ferrovial Construction and Allan Myers VA).

The multi-modal Transform 66 mega-project, or I-66 EMP, is one of the biggest public/private partnership (P3) infrastructure projects built in the United States since the turn of the twenty-first century, with a total private investment of $3.7 billion. This is what I-66 EMP’s private investment comprises:

• The approximate design/build cost is $2.2 billion;
• $350 million for upcoming I-66 corridor upgrades;
• an upfront concession fee payment to the Commonwealth of Virginia in the amount of $579 million for further transportation projects;
• $800 million transit subsidy over the course of the 50-year public-private partnership agreement between I-66 EMP and VDOT.

Between the I-495 Capital Beltway and Gainesville in western Prince William County, the I-66 EMP investment resulted in the construction of a state-of-the-art dynamically tolled highway with two new express lanes and three renovated general-purpose lanes that spans 22.5 miles in each direction. The fast lanes have 27 electronic toll gantries for automatic cashless payments, dedicated entrance and exit ramps, auxiliary lanes in between interchanges, and seamless pavement.

In addition, the Transform 66 project built or repaired 63 bridges along the I-66 corridor and added nearly 4,000 commuter spaces in two park-and-ride lots. It significantly increased operational and safety at high-traffic I-66 interchanges such Nutley Street, Route 28, and I-495.

The 66 Parallel Trail, a shared-use bicycling and hiking trail spanning more than 11 miles along I-66 in Fairfax County, opened to the public in May 2023. The event was organized by I-66 EMP and VDOT. The trail has given commuters traveling along the I-66 corridor an additional degree of multi-modality. It was created and built as part of the larger Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project with the intention of creating seamless links with other trails in the county.

“Winning this P3 Award makes our entire team very happy,” I-66 EMP CEO Luis Vázquez, MBA, MSCE, remarked. “To effectively complete a project of this size and complexity, teamwork was necessary. The 66 Express has already greatly benefited the companies and communities in Northern Virginia, and we are thrilled to continue offering a dependable and valued transportation alternative along the I-66 corridor for many years to come.”

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) recognized the route operator in July for being the 2023 Public/Private Partnership Project of the Year in the Innovation of the Year category. This distinction follows I-66 EMP’s receipt of the P3 Award.

Businesses in Fairfax County are awarded

At a recent event, 18 D.C.-area businesses and organizations received Moxie Awards, including four Fairfax County firms.

Among 145 contenders, Beanstalk, Inc., Gridiron IT, Dark Wolf Solutions, and NuAxis Innovations were recognized for their audacious plans, astute business decisions, and moxie that have made an impact in the industry. The event at Tysons Corner’s The Ritz-Carlton drew over 450 business executives.

“Since the Moxie Award’s inception seven years ago, we have received over 1,000 award submissions and have identified a great deal of the most outstanding businesses in the Washington, DC, region. This has persisted in 2023, and this year’s winners have once again shown a great deal of moxie, according to Moxie Chair Katie Jordan. “This year’s 18 winners stood out among their rivals for displaying remarkable innovation, development, and resilience, industry leadership, community service, and local achievements,” the statement reads after a team of impartial judges carefully reviewed and evaluated the entries.

Encore Creativity gives Goodwin Living recognition.

At a recent annual event, Encore Creativity for Older Adults (Encore) was recognized as the Goodwin LivingTM Partner of the Year.

This award honors Goodwin Living and Encore’s long-standing collaboration as well as their successful development and introduction of a brand-new Encore program designed for people with moderate to advanced dementia. The largest choral arts group in the country for individuals over 55 is called Encore.

According to Joshua Vickery, CEO of Encore Creativity for Older Adults, “the Partner of the Year award recognizes an organization of has shown an incredible spirit in collaboration, partnership, and a commitment to furthering the collective efforts that Encore and our partners share.” “Encore Creativity depends on alliances and teamwork, and we are incredibly appreciative of Goodwin Living for the ground-breaking, imaginative, and transformative programs we are able to develop with them.”

In 2022, Encore and the Goodwin Living Brain Health division came up with the idea for Melody Makers, a brand-new music program specifically for residents of memory care facilities. Through the Melody Makers initiative, “ambassadors” who live in autonomous communities are paired with participants who are going through cognitive transformations. They learn new songs and participate in musical activities together.

Jessica Fredericksen, director of Brain Health at Goodwin Living, stressed that while learning new things requires more time, patience, and repetition, people with dementia are still capable of learning new things. “The friendships and connections formed through the Melody Makers program have also helped to reduce the stigma surrounding aging and dementia, thanks to our collaboration with living independently ambassadors.”

Rob Liebreich, president and CEO of Goodwin Living, stated, “Goodwin Living is proud to partner with an organization that shares our mission to uplift the lives of older adults at every stage in their aging journey.” “After decades of working together, we are appreciative to Encore Creativity for celebrating the partnership that has improved the lives of innumerable senior citizens.”

Apart from the various brain health tools that residents may access, such as Melody Makers, the Goodwin Living Brain Health department oversees StrongerMemory, an innovative program and extensive initiative aimed at combating cognitive loss. Over 50s may use the StrongerMemory workbook for free anywhere in the country. The Goodwin Living Foundation’s kind benefactors provide all funding for Goodwin Living Brain Health programs.

Encore aspires to bring the Melody Makers initiative to other member groups around the country. Goodwin care is eager to maintain its relationship with Encore and expand its services to include additional seniors in senior care facilities.

Perry named to the board of Reston

Margaret Perry has been elected by Category B members to the Reston Association Board of Directors in the capacity of the apartment owners’ representative. With effect from October 19, Perry, who previously represented the Hunters Woods/Dogwood District on the Board, became an official member of the Board. She will serve out Mike Collins’ remaining tenure on the board after his resignation in September.

Perry has lived in Reston for a long time and has been involved in the community for a long time. She has been on the boards of many local organizations and has experience working with non-profits. She works as an independent travel agency and is a full-time government contractor. She actively supports low-income individuals or those for whom English is not their first language.

Perry stated, “I think compromise is essential to getting things done and making changes that benefit the whole.” She also pledged to engage with community organizations to increase community involvement and connectivity for the benefit of all parties. “I want every RA member to believe that their opinions matter and are valued.”

As a board member, Perry stated that she has several goals in mind, including increased RA member involvement and active engagement, easier access for all, regardless of native language, addressing community needs, and collaborating with staff to improve organizational procedures and the website. Perry will serve on the board until the election in the spring of 2024.

SUNY Canton honors a citizen of Springfield

The recipient of the Canton Fund Annual Scholarship is Springfield native Brooke L. Hite, a SUNY Canton Veterinary Science Technology student.

Hite is among the over 300 students who will be awarded a scholarship by the Canton College Foundation, Inc. for the autumn semester of 2023. During the annual Scholarship Luncheon Celebration that was recently held on campus, the majority of the college’s scholarship recipients got the opportunity to meet with the donors who provided their award.

President Zvi Szafran of SUNY Canton remarked, “We would like to congratulate all of the students who received scholarships this year.” “With the help of your sponsor, you are receiving recognition for your diligent efforts. We’re all rooting for you to succeed because we know you can do it.”

Vice President for Advancement at SUNY Canton Tracey L. Thompson expressed gratitude to sponsors for making the awards feasible.

“The gift you are giving is much more than a scholarship,” Thompson stated. “You are giving someone a chance at a better life with accomplishment and meaning, or the gift of opportunity. The receivers of your students’ lifetime appreciation is your return on investment.”

Senior VP named by CORT

The Chantilly, Virginia-based CORT recently revealed that Sean Reddan, who has over 20 years of expertise in media, financial services, and telecommunications, has joined its executive leadership team as senior vice president of finance.

Debbie Lansford, chief financial officer of CORT, said of Sean, “He is an excellent addition to our high-performing and growth-oriented team with a proven track record of success in financial leadership.” “We will continue to shape our financial strategies and further our commitment to operational efficiency with Sean’s expertise and strategic vision.”

Prior to joining CORT, Reddan oversaw pricing and revenue optimization in addition to serving as head of financial planning and analysis for Gannett’s consumer marketing business. He also managed investment optimization through capital budgeting, process reengineering, and business growth financing while holding top positions at American Express.

Reddan stated, “I’m excited to join an organization like CORT that matches these values and is dedicated to delivering superior value to our customers. I’m passionate about building and leading high-performing finance teams.” “As a trusted internal and external partner, I look forward to working with my colleagues in this role to drive revenue growth and manage our bottom line.”

Reddan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business. He will work in the CFO’s office at CORT’s Chantilly headquarters to enhance capital allocation, forecasting, and financial reporting. Reddan likes to spend time with his wife and their two kids and coach young flag football and volleyball while he’s not at work.

Associate director named by senior living community

In early 2024, Woodleigh Chase, a managed senior living complex in Fairfax, will open. Tyler Kypers has been promoted to assistant executive director.

In Pompton Plains, New Jersey, Kypers started working for the firm fifteen years ago as a student waiter at Cedar Crest.  He most recently worked at Siena Lakes in Naples, Florida, as the financial director.  He worked at Lantern Hill in New Providence, New Jersey, as a community financial analyst and manager of a business office before to taking this position.

The executive director, Will Nance, said, “We are very excited to welcome Tyler to Woodleigh Chase as a leadership team member.”  “With Tyler’s background and knowledge in healthcare and senior living, we’ll be well-positioned to successfully welcome residents to Woodleigh Chase early next year.”

Kypers will oversee the daily operations of the 46-acre site, which will shortly house hundreds of inhabitants, in his capacity as a leader.

Kypers graduated from Montclair State University with a bachelor’s degree in history and William Paterson University of New Jersey with a master’s degree in business administration.