Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC)

Citizen Advisory Committee.

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School Board Liaison

Mateo Dunne

Staff Liaisons 

Janice Szymanski, Chief, Facilities Services & Capital Programs

Jessica Gillis, Executive Director, Capital Improvements & Planning

Committee Purpose

The Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) shall provide accurate, timely, and relevant advice to the Fairfax County School Board with regard to the development of strategic, comprehensive, and long-term plans for educational and educational support facilities within Fairfax County for Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) students. The FPAC is intended to enhance community outreach and input into the facilities planning process.

2023-24 Council Charge

Continue to develop the long-range vision for FCPS school facilities and the role and future focus of FPAC; provide further support to facilitate implementation of the accepted FPAC major maintenance and asset management recommendations, monitor the Brookfield Elementary School renovation, provide input on proposed revisions to the renovation queue; advise and assist with the development and implementation of updated boundary policies; and assess how FCPS can achieve greater energy efficiency and environmental sustainability throughout its facilities.

Meeting Schedule

The following is the upcoming FPAC meeting schedule. Unless otherwise noted, all FPAC meetings will be held at the Gatehouse Administration Center, room 3050/51, 8115 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church, VA 22042.  Regular meetings will be held from 7-9:30 p.m.  Work Session meetings will fall between 6-9 p.m.  See meeting agenda for specifics.  

FPAC SY 2023-24 Meeting Schedule
Meeting DateLocation and TimeAgendaApproved Minutes
September 12, 2023Regular MeetingMeeting AgendaMeeting Minutes
October 10, 2023Regular MeetingMeeting AgendaMeeting Minutes
October 17, 2023Committee Work Time Reserved  
November 14, 2023Regular MeetingMeeting AgendaMeeting Minutes
November 28, 2023Committee Work Time Reserved  
December 5, 2023Regular MeetingMeeting AgendaMeeting Minutes
December 12, 2023Committee Work Time Reserved  
January 9, 2024Regular Meeting (CANCELLED)Meeting Agenda 
January 16, 2024Committee Work Time Reserved  
February 6, 2024Regular MeetingMeeting Agenda 
February 20, 2024Committee Work Time Reserved  
February 24, 2024
(Saturday)
Retreat (Off-Site)Meeting Agenda 
March 5, 2024Regular MeetingMeeting Agenda 
March 19, 2024Committee Work Time Reserved  
April 16, 2024Regular Meeting  
April 23, 2024Committee Work Time Reserved  
May 7, 2024Regular Meeting  
May 21, 2024Regular Meeting  
June 4, 2024Regular Meeting  

FPAC Background

On September 23, 2010, the School Board approved the formation of a Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) as a new advisory council of the Board. The mission of the advisory council is to advise and inform the staff and School Board in the development of comprehensive, long-term plans for facilities needs in the most effective and efficient way.  FPAC is made up of 13 citizens – one from each Fairfax County magisterial district, one from the City of Fairfax, and three at-large members.

Facilities-related issues that may be considered by the advisory council may include, but are not limited to:

  • school program capacity
  • enrollment and projections
  • transportation and operating efficiencies related to facilities planning
  • Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) prioritization
  • creative financing and construction strategies
  • scope of renovations
  • school closures and new schools
  • student accommodation planning (building additions/modular relocations/ review of school boundaries)

The creation of FPAC is the result of a recommendation by the School Board’s Comprehensive Plan Development Committee (CPDC), which is charged with designing a recommendation for a comprehensive facilities planning process in order to address:

  • A need for increased public awareness when a school boundary study was imminent;
  • A need for increased public validation that facilities issues existed which could require a boundary study;
  • A need for a more regional, long-range approach to facilities planning that is not provided in the current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) development process.

CPDC’s research led to the decision to create and establish an “umbrella planning group” to interact with staff, the community, and the School Board, by providing district-wide comprehensive planning oversight and guidance. The establishment of a Facilities Planning Advisory Council will serve to further the intent of School Board Policy 8120, Facilities Planning, School Planning, which directs the preparation of a Capital Improvement Plan, program based school capacities, size and location of schools, periodic boundary adjustments, and most importantly, community involvement.

FPAC Appointees

The following members were appointed by the School Board to the Facilities Planning Advisory Council:

MemberBiography

Chuck Fanshaw,
Braddock District
[email protected]

FPAC Appointment
Through 2025

Charles W. “Chuck” Fanshaw is a senior executive with over 39 years of military and civilian experience as a facilities construction, engineering, planning, and operations professional. Chuck retired from the federal Senior Executive Service in 2021, last serving as the Management Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to NATO in Brussels, Belgium. He has extensive K-12 and higher education experience with past positions as Director of Construction for Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia, and Director of Facilities Project Management and Design at George Mason University, successfully leading and managing multi-year, billion-dollar educational facilities programs at both locations. He was also Director of Administrative Services for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, in Alexandria, VA, and Director of Support Services at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. Chuck was commissioned as a Navy Civil Engineer Corps (Seabee) officer serving 12 years on active duty and 14 years in the reserves, retiring as a Navy Captain.

Chuck attended the Virginia Military Institute and received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. He also graduated from the University of Florida and received a Master of Engineering degree in civil engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Georgia.

Chuck is excited to be able to use his experiences to serve the community as a member of FPAC. He and his wife have resided in Fairfax since 2004 and their three children have graduated from or attend
school in the WT Woodson HS pyramid.

Dianna Bo
Dranesville District  [email protected]

FPAC Appointment Through 2026

Dianna Bo, PE, PMP, serves as the facilities capital planning team lead for the United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Office of Civil Engineering, where she oversees capital planning for the Coast Guard’s nationwide shore infrastructure portfolio.  Prior to this role, Dianna retired from the Coast Guard after 22 years of active duty service, where she gained specialized experience in directing university facilities operations, managing major systems acquisition programs, and completing capital construction project planning & execution.

Dianna graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.  She also holds a Master of Engineering degree from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, and a Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.  She is passionate about public service and being involved in the community.  She previously co-led a local Girl Scout troop and currently volunteers at Share of McLean and with the McLean High School Athletic Boosters.

Dianna, her husband, two high school children, and her dog live in McLean, VA.  Their children go to McLean High School and their rescue dog is totally spoiled.

Jim Riddle
Hunter Mill District [email protected]

FPAC Appointment
Through 2026

James T. “Jim” Riddle currently works for the Prince William County Department of Development Services, Building Development Division serving as the Principal Engineer and Supervisor for Special Inspections. In this role, Jim leads the County’s effort in the review and inspection of the structural systems for most buildings constructed in the County. This includes all construction conducted by the Prince William County Public School system. Overall, Jim has 30 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry focusing on design, construction management, and code enforcement.

Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Catholic University of America and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in structural engineering from the University of Virginia. Jim is licensed as a Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

Jim and his wife, Gwen, have lived in Vienna, Virginia since 2000. Their two children have attended schools in the James Madison pyramid. Jim also volunteers as an assistant coach for the Vienna Girls High School Rugby team.

Troy Thompson
Franconia District
[email protected]

FPAC Appointment
Through 2025

Troy Thompson, AIA, LEED AP, is a Managing Partner at SmithGroup; one of the largest integrated design firms in the U.S.  Troy leads the firm’s efforts on design excellence, delivery of services to clients, technology, and talent development.  As the historic preservation leader for the firm, his recent projects include the modernization of the mid-century modern US Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay, earthquake repairs to the Smithsonian Castle, the White House Visitor Center, and Harvard University’s Archaeological Exploration of Sardis, Turkey.

He currently serves on the national committee of the American Institute of Architects-Associated General Contractors Joint Committee, the board of directors for the Center for Innovation in the Design and Construction Industries, and is very active in the Design Futures Council.  These organizations all share a focus on improving the design and construction of our built world.  Troy is a licensed architect in Indiana where he graduated from Ball State University with degrees in architecture and philosophy.  He has a graduate degree in American history from George Mason University.

In 2003, the Thompsons moved to Springfield from Indianapolis, Indiana.  He and Shelly still live in Springfield.  She volunteers at ECHO.  Their son, Max, graduated from Lee H.S. in 2019 after being a four-year starter on the varsity baseball team.  He is studying business and political science at the University of Mary Washington.

Bart Stewart
Mason District
[email protected]

FPAC Appointment
Through 2026

Bart Stewart, PE, LEED AP, has nearly two decades of experience working in the real estate and construction industries. Bart is a Managing Director at WB Engineers+Consultants, an MEP engineering firm focused on consultation and design related to building infrastructure. He brings years of experience in analyzing, upgrading, and optimizing old buildings with aging mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure, focused on improving thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency.

Bart moved to Northern Virginia in 2009 and has lived in Fairfax County for nearly a decade.  He has two sons attending school in the Mason District, and also volunteers for their school PTA. His wife has served on the Title I Parent Advisory Committee since 2021. 

Catherine Hosek, Vice Chair
Mount Vernon District
[email protected]

FPAC Appointment
Through 2025

Cathy Hosek has been an education advocate for almost 20 years. She left her web page development job to focus on raising her 4 children full-time. Cathy served for 2 years as PTA President of Stratford Landing ES and is the School Outreach Manager for GrandInvolve, an organization that connects Seniors to local Title I Schools through mentoring and teaching to the students. Last year she was the School Action Team Leader at Mount Vernon Woods and this year she is at Washington Mill. Cathy graduated with a B.S. in Agriculture/Horticulture from Murray State University and is currently employed part-time at the American Society for Horticultural Science.

Cathy has been attending FPAC meetings for over 3 years and also attends the VDOT and EMBARK meetings on the Richmond Highway Corridor. She is also her neighborhood member who attends the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens Association Education meetings.

Cathy, her husband, and 4 children all live near Mount Vernon in Alexandria. Her children attend Stratford Landing, Mount Vernon, West Potomac, and George Mason University.

Vacant
Providence District
 
 

Kevin Cahill
Springfield District
[email protected]

FPAC Appointment
Through 2024

Kevin Cahill, PE, CPD, LEED AP is a Principal and Senior Mechanical Engineer at Interface Engineering. With more than 25 years of experience - Kevin has extensive experience in commercial, mixed-use developments, hotels, government projects, academic buildings, and international high-rise towers. As a LEED AP and advocate of sustainability, Kevin is dedicated to designing smarter systems, higher-performing buildings, and greener infrastructure that is efficient, environmentally sensitive, and financially sound. Kevin currently leads his project teams on a variety of Net Zero Energy projects in the Washington, DC metro area and abroad, including the new George Mason High School in Falls Church, VA.

Kevin graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In 2004 he moved to Burke, VA from Norwood, Massachusetts. Kevin and his wife Ann have two children – Madelyn and Andrew both attending Lake Braddock Secondary School.
Vacant
Sully District
 
 

Karl Jensen
At-Large
[email protected]

FPAC Appointment Through 2026

Karl Jensen has been a resident of Fairfax County for over 17 years and is the father of six daughters, with two currently within the FCPS community.  In his professional work, Karl is an accomplished Senior Executive and Board Member, with demonstrated success leading global organizations.  His group includes AECOM’s Disaster Resilience group that oversees the efforts to restore communities affected by disasters, including the CoVID-19 pandemic.  His team oversees a diverse portfolio of projects that support the missions of Governments around the globe. 

Prior to his roles in industry, Karl was a Naval Officer.  He was a Naval Aviator with over 40 combat flights in Iraq and Somalia. 

Karl holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the US Naval Academy, an MS in Astronautical Engineering, and Aerospace Engineers’ Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and has completed the Advanced Program Managers Course from the Defense Services Management College. He is a sought-after speaker and has presented at various industry conferences and events. 

Allam Al-Alami
At-Large
[email protected]

FPAC Appointment Through 2026

Allam Al-Alami is a longtime resident of Fairfax County in Northern Virginia (since 1989). He is a construction executive with the Department of General Services (DGS). The department serves as the construction arm for the Government of the District of Columbia responsible for planning and executing capital projects including schools, parks & recs, public safety facilities, shelters, and other government centers. He currently serves as the Operational Manager for the Capital Construction Division.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. Mr. Al-Alami has over 38 years of experience in the construction industry for both the private and public sectors. 

He is a certified professional in the field of Project Management (PMI) with a wide range of experience in project planning and management, acquisition planning, financial tracking, and project execution. He has led the development and implementation of several key projects in the District including the Unified Communications Center (UCC), the DC Consolidated Forensic Laboratory (CFL) and the Duke Ellington School for the Arts.

Vacant
At-Large
.
Katie Hermann, Chair
City of Fairfax
[email protected]


FPAC Appointment
Through 2024

Katie Hermann, CFM, GISP, serves as a senior environmental planner and project manager in Fairfax County’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and conducts land use and environmental analysis for development proposals to determine conformance with County environmental policies.  She also evaluates zoning pre-application research with partnering County agencies, environmental/land use impact assessments, coordination of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and inter-jurisdictional review, planning implementation support, GIS/geodatabase management, and comprehensive plan amendments. 

Prior to her role at Fairfax County, Ms. Hermann worked in environmental consulting for state and local entities on the east coast.  Katie specialized in school safety initiatives, school risk management planning, GIS analytics, floodplain management planning, hazard mitigation planning, and strategic planning for various clients.  She has experience working with school districts to implement school risk management plans and helped capture critical emergency response asset information for over 1,000 schools.  She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Geography.

Katie lives in the City of Fairfax with her husband and daughter, who attends a City of Fairfax elementary school.

Resource Documents

View the annual report to the School Board, along with the advisory council guidelines and bylaws.

FCPS Capital Improvement Program