Reston Association announces candidates for Board of Directors race

Two of three races for Reston Association’s board of directors will be competitive in this year’s election, which takes place in March.

Four seats are open on the nine-member board.

Three candidates are running for two at-large directors seats that go for three years. Three people are also vying for one seat as apartment owners’ representative.

The race for South Lakes District representative — a three-year term — has one candidate: current board member Jennifer Jushchuk.

Voting will unfold from March 1 to April 1 and is open to all Reston Association members “in good standing,” who can cast online or mail-in ballots, RA said in its announcement of the candidates.

Here’s a breakdown of each race based on submitted statements from each candidate:

At-large candidate (three-year term)

Izzy Santa: A Reston resident since 2014, Santa works as a senior director of government affairs for a Fortune 500 company and has served as cluster homeowners’ association president. In the past, she advocated for pedestrian improvements near Sunrise Valley Elementary. She hopes to improve existing amenities managed by RA and prevent member assessment increases.

Jalal Mapar (incumbent): Mapar, who has lived in Reston for more than 30 years, is a senior executive. He hopes to implement a strategic plan for maintaining Reston’s infrastructure as development grows, improve service to membership and focus on fiscal responsibility.

Darin Skelly: Skelly, who moved to Reston in 2005 and is a vice president at a Fortune 500 company, wants to get Reston more of a voice in Fairfax County decisions, protect it from “crazed” growth and development, and make Reston the best community in the country.

South Lakes District (three-year term)

Jennifer Jushchuk (incumbent): A Restonian since 2014, Jushchuk is a trade association executive and mother. She also co-founded Save Our Sunrise, a South Lakes group that focuses on issues along Sunrise Valley Drive. She hopes to focus on fiscal responsibility, advocacy, resource management and improved communication.

Apartment Owners’ Candidate (two-year term)

Carolina Mejia: Mejia says her experience on nonprofit and corporate boards and as a RA volunteer would be assets to the board. She hope to boost community engagement, improve financial sustainability and maintain infrastructure.

Margaret Perry (incumbent): A resident of Reston for 13 years, Perry has served on the board twice. She describes herself as a strategic thinker and problem solver, and hopes to focus on working with senior management on a strategic plan for Reston.

Lynda McCann Ovington: A resident of the Reston Glades apartments since 2013, Ovington says her previous experience on other boards will help her serve RA’s board. She hopes to work closely the rental community and provide consistency with services.