Andy Sigle, the outgoing president of the Reston Association’s Board of Directors, is running for the Hunter Mill District seat on the Fairfax County School Board.
Sigle announced his decision to run on Feb. 19 on Facebook about a month after Hunter Mill District Representative Pat Hynes said that she won’t seek re-election.
In his announcement, he wrote:
My wife, Kim, and I have put four children through the FCPS school system, the last one graduating in 2017. I am a strong advocate of student equity and access in our public schools, support of our teachers, establishment of infrastructure that keeps up with development within our community, as well as a driver for family and community engagement and sustainability initiatives. I bring to the role more than twenty five years as a manager and executive in the telecommunications industry along with a MBA from the University of Chicago. I have a proven track record of tackling difficult situations and creating positive results through a focus on asking sensible questions, holding reasonable discussions, collaboration and collegiality. Again, I know I can make a difference on our school board and I ask for your support.
Since then, Sigle has highlighted his work as the former president of the South Lakes High School PTSA board, which included organizing a series of diversity and inclusion workshops, helping to establish the school’s food pantry and moderating a discussion between Hynes and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins meant to educate the community.
Sigle’s bio says that he has turned his attention to community work after 28 years in the telecommunications industry.
Sigle first joined the RA’s Board of Directors in 2011 and was elected president last year. He also sings in The Reston Chorale, chairs the Southgate Community Center Advisory Council and is a member of the Reston Historic Trust’s Board of Directors.
Earlier this month, Sigle nabbed a new role as the chief operating officer and vice president of external relations for Leadership Fairfax, a nonprofit that aims to inspire private and public sector individuals to tackle community issues.
Laura Ramirez Drain and Melanie Meren are also running for the school board seat.
The Hunter Mill Democratic Committee is slated to host a candidate forum on Wednesday, April 10, at 8 p.m. at Lake Anne Elementary School (11510 N Shore Drive).
The committee also plans to hold an endorsement meeting on May 8 at Lake Anne ES.
Photo via Facebook
At his last meeting as the president of the Reston Association’s Board of Directors, Andy Sigle shared the changes he has seen in the past year and his proudest accomplishments as the association’s leader.
Sigle first joined the board in 2011 and was elected as the president last year.
“When I began the term this past spring, things were in a little bit of a tumult,” Sigle said at last night’s meeting (March 21). “We were without a permanent CEO. The CFO had recently resigned. The board was in a big transition.”
Bringing stability and positivity to the association were his personal goals as the board’s president, he said. “I think we have done that and thank you.”
Sigle shared his top three accomplishments:
- co-leading the charge against a proposed density increase for the Planned Residential Community (PRC)
- passing the RA’s budget
- hiring the new Chief Executive Officer Hank Lynch
The new board is set to select its new president after the elections for five uncontested seats end in early April.
Reston Association President Andy Sigle just added a new leadership position to his resume.
Leadership Fairfax, a nonprofit that aims to inspire private and public sector individuals to tackle community issues, announced today (March 4) that Sigle will be the new chief operating officer and vice president of external relations.
“Andy’s passionate dedication to community and his ability to collaborate across sectors makes him an ideal addition to the staff at Leadership Fairfax,” Karen Cleveland, the chief executive officer and president of Leadership Fairfax, said in a statement. “We know his vision will help guide the organization as we move into a new year of opportunity and growth.”
In his new role, Sigle will work with external community partners and serve as a sponsorship contact for the nonprofit’s signature events, according to the press release.
Sigle graduated from the 2014 class of the Leadership Fairfax Institute, a 10-month program to help strengthen professional and community leaders, according to the press release.
Since then, Sigle has volunteered and worked with a plethora of community groups, including Cornerstones, the Southgate Community Center Advisory Council, Lake Anne Brew House, the Reston Historic Trust and The Reston Chorale, according to the press release.
Last year, Sigle was honored as a Best of Reston recipient.
Recently in his role as the Reston Association’s president, Sigle has urged Restonians to get engaged with a proposal that would increase the Planned Residential Community (PRC) district — Reston’s primary zoning district — in certain areas. A spokesman for the Reston Association declined to comment on Sigle’s Leadership Fairfax role.
Photo by Reston Association
RA urges members to attend PRC meeting — In the latest Reston Today video, Reston Association’s Board President Andy Sigle urges RA members who are concerned about population density to attend a Jan. 23 meeting related to the county’s proposed amendment to the Planned Residential Community zoning ordinance. [YouTube]
Dense fog alert — This morning the National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory until noon today for portions of the region, including Fairfax County. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, use their headlights and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. [National Weather Service]
“Superior Donuts” opens tonight — Reston Community Players’ production opens tonight at RCC Hunters Woods at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28. [Reston Community Center]
Ed-tech merger — Herndon-based Real Time Cases merged with Delray Beach, Fla.-based Elearis. The Herndon startup’s ideo-based business case studies paired up with the technology platform from Elearis for a new Herndon-based firm. [Washington Business Journal]
Photo via Marjorie Copson
Reston Association’s top leadership position of CEO remains unfilled following the previous CEO’s departure from the organization in late February.
Since former CEO Cate Fulkerson left her position in late February and transitioned into a special advisor role, RA’s Board of Directors has not yet found a permanent replacement. In a note to RA’s members, board president Andy Sigle said the board is working with human resources to expand the search for CEO and voted last month to hire an executive search firm to assist with the hiring process.
Larry Butler, RA’s senior direct of land use and planning, took over as acting CEO in mid-April after Robert Wood, the acting CEO at the time, stepped down to take another position at a non-profit organization in the District.
Since beginning the process of selecting a new CEO “in earnest” in May, Sigle indicated that no candidates advanced during a second round of interviews with the board in August. The board voted on candidates for the first round of interviews, which were held in June and July. Candidates were interviewed by an internal board search committee with RA’s senior leadership team and selected board members.
Here’s more from Sigle’s note to members:
Members can rest assured that the board is seeking a CEO who can work cooperatively and collaboratively in establishing short and long-term goals and priorities for the association. The CEO leads the effort to develop biennial budgets, so it is vitally important to the future of Reston that resources allotted in those budgets are used wisely. The board plays a fiduciary role in making sure your assessment dollars are spent in a way that aligns with the association’s Strategic Plan and focuses on the quality of life issues that make Reston a special place to live, work and play.
While there are an array of traits and qualifications we are seeking in the next CEO, the ability to lead and manage ranks near or at the top. Integrity, ethical conduct and the proven know-how to foster a climate that attracts, retains and motivates a diverse staff are important skills in leading any community organization, especially one as large and intricate as Reston Association.
Making the tough calls isn’t always fun, but it is a necessary requirement in overseeing a staff with over 100 employees working in a broad range of jobs that all focus on RA’s mission statement. The CEO position is a member-facing, rollup-your-sleeves job that requires the ability to smartly navigate through internal issues and also external policy matters involving Fairfax County and private businesses. Financial stewardship and extensive knowledge of customer service are at the forefront of what the board and RA members expect from a CEO.
While we wind through the process of hiring a new CEO, the board wants to express its thanks to the RA staff for stepping up to make sure that “the trains continue to run on time” in the interim. The importance of selecting the right person to lead RA can’t be overemphasized enough, so we continue to appreciate the patience shown by staff and members as we do our due diligence.
While board members come and go with each annual election, the CEO should bring a sense of stability and vision to the organization that will hopefully last for years. We will keep you posted on our progress and promptly introduce you to our new CEO when they are onboard.
Photo via Reston Association
