Reston residents will get the chance to learn more about their potential representatives on Reston Association’s Board of Directors with a pair of upcoming candidate forums.
Candidates vying for three open seats will first participate in a virtual forum held at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday) by the Reston Citizens Association, followed by an in-person and live-streamed forum at RA’s headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive) at the same time next Tuesday (Feb. 24).
With voting set to begin on Feb. 27 and continue through March 31, the 2026 RA board election will feature three candidates each competing for a three-year at-large director seat and the two-year Lake Anne and Tall Oaks District director’s seat.
Incumbent Margaret Perry is also running unopposed for another three-year term as the apartment owners’ representative. If reelected, she would advocate for continuing to modernize RA’s website, prioritizing “fiscally responsible” facility upgrades and repairs, and boosting community engagement, especially with non-native English speakers, per her submitted candidate statement.
At-Large Candidates
A longtime Reston resident, John Farrell is seeking his second full term on the board after first joining as an appointee to a vacant seat in 2022 and then winning an election the following year.
In a “Meet the Candidates” video from RA, he touts his role leading RA’s opposition to a casino in Fairfax County, the reopening of the Lake Thoreau and Shadowood pools, and the elimination of recreational pass fees for members, while pledging to “fight to save Reston National and Hidden Creek golf courses.”
For his day job, Daton Lynch is an attorney for the health care provider Labcorp, but he has served in the past as a consumer protection commissioner for Fairfax County. He also coaches for the volunteer-run Reston Hoops league.
“For decades, developer interests and county priorities have shaped Reston’s path, leaving association members paying the cost without real control,” Lynch said.
If elected, his top goals would include establishing curbside leaf collection services with discounted mulch or revenue from sold mulch going to Reston residents, developing a conservation strategy to turn Reston National Golf Course “into a world-class open green space,” expanding the availability of year-round recreation, and partnering with carriers to improve the area’s cell service.
Greg McCandless, a lifelong Reston resident, is the current president of the Mercer Condominium Association. His professional career has primarily been in telecommunications, including 15 years working for Sprint Corporation — experience he says gave him an understanding of the importance of transparency and accountability.
“Through steady, informed board service, I would seek to help the Reston Association continue operating efficiently and fairly, while preserving property values and maintaining the quality of life that residents expect,” McCandless said in his candidate statement.
Lake Anne/Tall Oaks Candidates
A senior advisor for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency with past experience as a Democratic Party and House of Representatives staffer, Georgina Cannan currently serves as president of the Inlet Cluster Association, a role that “has given [her] a practical understanding” of how RA decisions affect individual neighborhoods.
“If elected, I’ll focus on well-maintained amenities, responsible fiscal planning, and strong, sustainable environmental stewardship to deliver value for our community,” she said.
Ramon Pardo has been a Reston resident since 1981 and now works as a realtor for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. His community involvement includes serving on the Great Falls Reston Soccer Club board and organizing the Reggae on the Lake Festival that he first started at Lake Anne Plaza in 2022.
“I hope to make an impact on the future of Reston while maintaining the essence of [founder] Bob Simon’s vision,” Pardo said, singling out the possibility of a casino in Fairfax County as out of step with Reston’s “values” and long-term development goals.
In his candidate statement, Nathen Phillips says the planning and resource management skills he has developed through more than a decade of military service — including six years in the Florida National Guard and his current work as a senior research officer for the U.S. Air Force — would “translate directly to the responsibilities of a Reston Association Board member.”
“I want to ensure that Reston’s amenities, infrastructure, and shared spaces are maintained in a way that reflects community priorities while respecting the financial impact on residents,” he wrote. “If elected, I would ask practical questions, support transparent decision-making, and work collaboratively with fellow board members and staff to keep Reston a great place to live.”
