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April 25, 2008

New Leaders Take Helm at RA

By Leslie Perales Observer Staff Writer

The Reston Association's Board of Directors underwent numerous leadership changes last week. Cheryl Beamer, Richard Chew and Timothy McMahon were elected to serve on the Board of Directors April 15; the board appointed new officers April 16; and Jenn Blackwell, who had served as president for three years, resigned from her position as an at-large director April 18.

Robin Smyers, who was the board's vice president and is the district director for Lake Anne and Tall Oaks, was elected president. At-large Director Mark Watts was elected as vice president, South Lakes district Director Kathleen Driscoll McKee was elected secretary and John Higgins was re-elected as treasurer.

Blackwell, who served on the board for two terms, was selected to serve as the assistant United States attorney for Michigan and is relocating to the Ann Arbor area. "It was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life," Blackwell said. Ever since she was in law school she wanted to work as a criminal prosecutor on behalf of the U.S. government, she said. "When it was offered to me, I really had to wrestle with the decision of leaving Reston," she said.

Blackwell grew up in Northern Virginia, and she said leaving her friends and family behind is difficult. "I'm very sad, I will miss Reston," she said. "I'll miss Reston Association because I think the community is one of the best in the country."

Smyers said Blackwell has been very active in the community and has been a very visible leader. "It's a loss, but we will continue on and Jenn knows that," she said. "She feels confident that we will continue all of our good work. Change is scary, but it's not a bad thing."

Blackwell said she has worked closely with Smyers for a few years and she is excited for her. "I can't think of a better person to be president and I think she'll do a great job," she said. Blackwell said Smyers, who has lived in Reston her whole life, is very dedicated and hard working.

Smyers said she is excited to lead RA as president. "I'm honored because they put a confidence in my leadership, but, as I said to them last week when I was nominated, it really is a team effort," she said. Smyers said she hopes to do a great job and she knows that collaboration with other groups is the key to reaching their goals.

Smyers said she hopes to get started on a number of projects this year, including deciding whether to move forward on an indoor recreational facility, breaking ground on the nature house and seeking out a potential new headquarters for RA. She also said she hopes to improve communication between the tenants and renters of RA properties rather than communicating only with the owners of the properties. "From the association perspective, it's important for us to work on that communication plan," she said.

Milton Matthews, CEO of RA, said Blackwell's departure is a loss, but RA would continue to focus on key projects with Smyers as president. "Robin has been the vice president for the past year and now she's the president and I see her continuing a lot of things that we had seen in the past." he said. "I think that she will step right in and continue, understanding that she will have her own style and own way of doing things, but I think we can work together and get a lot done. We have to."