The superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools is the second-most influential person in Northern Virginia — just behind occasional-FCPS-critic Gov. Glenn Youngkin, according to a new ranking.
Northern Virginia Magazine awarded Dr. Michelle Reid the no. 2 spot in its newly released list of the 50 Most Influential People in Northern Virginia, highlighting her efforts to guide the state’s largest public school system through the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taking over as the administrative head of FCPS on July 1, 2022, Reid was appointed by the school board that spring amid some tension after the other final candidate for the superintendent job withdrew from consideration, prompting protests by students and the Fairfax County NAACP who argued that the other person — a Black woman — was more qualified.
However, since then, Reid brought some stability to FCPS. Enrollment has climbed back up over 180,000 students after a significant decline during the virtual learning days of 2020 and 2021, though chronic absenteeism rose again in the 2023-2024 school year. In addition, teacher turnover has declined, Reid told Northern Virginia Magazine.
Looking at Reid’s tenure, the magazine also highlighted the introduction of electric school buses, efforts to make school meals to healthier and more varied, and expansions of student athletic programs, including the additions of middle school sports, boys’ volleyball and girls’ wrestling.
“The quality of the educational experience here in Fairfax County is a real asset to our county for recruiting businesses, and really a major driver in the engine of economic growth for the county,” Reid told Northern Virginia Magazine. “I think that learning happens best in community, and we have a strong community here in Fairfax County.”
Northern Virginia Magazine bestowed the title of the region’s most influential person to Youngkin, whose administration has clashed with FCPS over issues ranging from transgender rights and COVID-19 mask requirements to test results and National Merit Scholarship commendation notifications.
In its list, the magazine notes that Youngkin “has made national headlines throughout his term” for a variety of reasons, including “his sometimes controversial stance on schools,” talk about a potential presidential run and Virginia’s return this year to the top of CNBC’s annual ranking of the best states for business.
Beyond Reid, Fairfax County figures are featured prominently in the “Most Influential” list, taking up seven of the top 10 spots:
- No. 3: Dr. J. Stephen Jones, president and CEO of Inova
- No. 4: Rep. Gerry Connolly, Virginia’s 11th district
- No. 5: Dwight and Martha Schar, founders of the Reston-based homebuilder NVR and frequent donors to Inova and George Mason University
- No. 6: Victor Hoskins, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority president and CEO
- No. 9: Arvind Manocha, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts president and CEO
- No. 10: Kathy Warden, chair, CEO and president of West Falls Church-based Northop Grumman
The remainder of the list, which isn’t ranked below the top 10, includes local business and nonprofit leaders, Visit Fairfax CEO and recent Tower of Dulles award winner Barry Biggar, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and more.
Published as part of Northern Virginia Magazine’s October 2024 issue, the round-up is intended to showcase individuals “who are shaping life across the region,” according to a press release.
“The 50 Most Influential of 2024 includes leaders from business, development, education, entertainment, government, health care, sports, and technology who are making a difference in Northern Virginia and giving back to their community,” Northern Virginia Magazine editor Amy Ayres said.
The honorees will be formally recognized at a Best of NoVA Soiree that the news magazine will host on Oct. 10 at the CrystalView Event Center in Fairfax.
