Three Reston residents have been appointed to Reston Community Center’s nine-member Board of Governors.
Following the results of a preference poll conducted last month, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed two incumbents and one newcomer to the RCC board on Tuesday (Oct. 8).
According to RCC, William Bouie, Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt and Malka Wickramatilake received the most votes in the preference poll, with the latter being the only newcomer on the board. Their three-year terms will begin on Nov. 4.
Sechrest-Ehrhardt received the most votes (1,359). A Reston resident for 46 years, she has served on the community center’s board since 2012 and works as a social worker.
“My professional and personal experience will contribute to the social, cultural, and educational environment provided by RCC,” Sechrest-Ehrhardt said in her candidate statement. “The goal of my community involvement and my desire to serve on the RCC Board of Governors is to ensure that all Reston residents are included in and benefit from the great programs and events RCC offers.”
Bouie, who received 1,359 votes, has been on the board since 2003. He also represents the Hunter Mill District on the Fairfax County Park Authority board, where he served as chair from 2009 to 2023.
In his candidate statement, Bouie highlighted his past experience with RCC activities, while also citing work in the business community and with “youth and athletics.”
“Our diversity is a strength that is unique, embraced, cherished, and to be celebrated,” he wrote. “I am a strong supporter of the Center, and the Reston community. I enjoy working with Restonians, to learn about their needs, and wants, and to strive to make RCC a place for all.”
Wickramatilake, who received 1,126 votes, is a mentor in the Fairfax County Public Schools system and serves on the board for the Lockwood Animal Rescue Center in California, according to RCC.
As a Reston resident since 1988, Wickramtilake said in her candidate statement that she regularly utilized RCC facilities while growing up and continues to visit “multiple times a week,” particularly for art classes. She was inspired to run for RCC’s board of governors by a sense of civic duty.
“As Reston continues to grow, it is important to hear both established and new voices, and further make RCC the heart of our community where everyone can explore activities, events, and interests of all kinds,” she wrote. “We live and work in one of the most unique and diverse places in the world and RCC reflects that, and I want to help strengthen that even more.”
There were four candidates this year for Reston Community Center’s annual preference poll, which was conducted from Sept. 6 to 27. The board of governors is responsible for overseeing the organization’s policies and finances.
