Reston Museum to honor Jeopardy! champ and other famous Restonians at upcoming event

Reston Museum is launching “Famous Restonians,” a new program that features individuals raised in Reston who have excelled in their fields.

Set for Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Reston Community Center Lake Anne, the program will include individuals like “Jeopardy!” champion Eddie Timanus, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-New Jersey), and WTOP reporter Dave Dildine.

Although the program is free, registration is required.

“The Reston Museum is proud to celebrate these remarkable individuals, all of whom grew up in Reston and have achieved excellence in their chosen fields,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alex Campbell said. “We look forward to hearing their memories of growing up in Reston and the journey that led them to where they are today.”

Last year’s event featured Nate Mook, former CEO of Central World Kitchen.

Here’s a breakdown on the biographies of the featured participants from Reston Museum:

Eddie Timanus is a reporter and content producer for USA TODAY Sports and is known for his 1999 five-game winning streak on the game show Jeopardy! and for being the first blind contestant to appear on the show. He was also a semifinalist in the 2000 Tournament of Champions and appeared in several subsequent tournaments, most recently 2014’s Battle of the Decades. He was also a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2004. Timanus moved to Reston with his family in 1981 and graduated from South Lakes High School in 1986. Eddie compiles the USA Today Coaches Poll and writes the preview section for college football games in addition to his sports articles.

Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill represents New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1994, Congresswoman Sherrill spent almost 10 years on active duty in the United States Navy as a helicopter pilot. After leaving the Navy in 2003, she earned a law degree from Georgetown University and served as a federal prosecutor. Elected to Congress in 2018, Congresswoman Sherrill sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the new House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Kia Lowe began her career in the investment world and after eight years, transitioned to the world of cosmetics first in a management position at L’Oreal and then serving as Vice President at both Lancome Paris and Kiehl’s Since 1851. Earlier this year, Kia was named the CEO of John Legend’s newly launched skin care brand, LOVED01. Kia grew up in Reston and attended Forest Edge Elementary School and Langston Hughes Middle School. After graduating from the University of Virginia, Kia earned her MBA from Columbia University.

Dave Dildine is an multi-award-winning traffic and weather reporter for WTOP News Radio, serving the Washington DC region. Dave joined WTOP in 2010 and can be heard “on the 8s and when it breaks” during the week. A Reston native, Dave attended Langston Hughes Middle and South Lakes High Schools before venturing off to George Mason University. Dave has also received recognition for his photography of severe weather, landing one photograph on the front page of the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal.

All featured individuals will speak in person, except Dildine, who will appear via a pre-recorded interview.