Summary
Candidate, Member, Fairfax City Council Former Senior Joint Staff/Combatant Command Desk Officer, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch, Public Health Division, Defense Health AgencyInformation
Web: Special Election website LinkedIn Facebook
Email: GoodHabitz2017@gmail.com
Phone: 571-332-4752
Address: 10421 Breckinridge Ln
Fairfax Va 22030
Biosketch
Karen has a long history of leadership. A 28-year military veteran, Karen flew Blackhawk helicopters and headed up multi-level organizations as just a junior officer. At Fort Carson, Karen led an organization with a $12 million budget that provided community morale-boosting activities for over 100,000 people. She, and her family, have volunteered in community programs wherever she has been posted. After her Military service, Karen earned a Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, where she is currently a Master of Public Health candidate.
Karen has lived in the City of Fairfax continuously since 2001. In that time, she has been very involved in bettering our community, including service on the Architectural Review Board of her HOA and volunteering at the Fairfax County Humane Society headquartered in Fairfax City. She is a proud member of the American Legion Post 177, headquartered here, and the American Legion Riders, where all members all work for the care of our veterans and active duty military and their families, the improvement of our community, and the development of our youth.
More information is available at www.karenforfairfax.com.
The special election takes place on Tuesday, September 12th and absentee voting begins July 28th, 2017.
Experience
I want to expand on a comparative question I was asked during the recent Candidates’ Forum*. Specifically, I want to further distinguish my experience in City Management from that of my opponent. The fact is I am the only candidate who has the relevant management skills, training, and experience needed to be our City’s next Council Member. In addition to my active community involvement here during my 16 years as a resident, I was the Director of Community Activities, responsible for the successful management of all morale, welfare, and recreation activities of the City of Fort Carson, Colorado. Every U.S. military installation is a City in and of itself, and the management and leadership of it are no different than that of a civil municipality such as Fairfax.
Fort Carson is a city with a diverse population over four times the size of Fairfax comprised of over 110,000 people. My Directorate was comprised of over 700 employees with a $12M non-appropriated (self-generating) budget. I provided parks, indoor and outdoor recreation programs, major events (to include the 4th of July celebration and fireworks display, comparable in size and attendance to ours here in Fairfax). I was responsible for executive and employee off-site workshops, strategic planning, community planning and development, child and youth centers, athletic facilities, entertainment and social clubs, swimming pools, bowling centers, a golf course, a ranch, catered meeting venues, marketing, and I was the Fort Carson school board member for our students who attended elementary, junior, and high schools in neighboring communities.
When I assumed leadership, this Directorate was operating with a $10M shortfall. Within six months of taking responsibility, by leading and empowering my employees, we were solvent. I partnered both in and with many municipalities, including those immediately outside of Fort Carson, such as the cities of Widefield, Security, and Fountain, but also the major City of Colorado Springs and Peterson Air Force Base.
So, to provide what sets me apart from my opponent, I have been a senior executive with a proven track record of success, leadership, and productivity at the City level. I am your most experienced and qualified candidate! Thank you for your vote on September 12th!
Education
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Infectious Diseases
2012 – 2015
Activities and Societies: American Public Health Association
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
DVM
Veterinary Medicine
2012 – 2014
Activities and Societies: American Veterinary Medical Association, Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, Licensed to practice as a Veterinarian in Virginia
American University of Antigua
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences
2010 – 2011
Wagner College
B.A.
English
Activities and Societies: Delta Phi Alpha National German Honor Society
Issues
A Business-Friendly Climate
In order to reduce taxes, Fairfax needs a strong business base. Karen knows that government can’t create jobs, but it can foster a climate that encourages businesses to be creative and grow.
Intelligent, Market-Driven Growth
Karen believes that in order to be a successful community, the City of Fairfax needs a smart and sustainable growth plan. Karen will hold City Hall accountable, demand sound fiscal discipline and work with community leaders to come up with the right plan for Fairfax.
Transportation
To keep traffic flowing and reduce congestion, Fairfax needs solid plans for the future. Without vision, bad projects, such as the University Drive extension, are put into place without any land-use development plans or community input.
Community Engagement
As your Councilwoman, Karen promises to engage the community. Elected officials can only be successful when they know the issues that the community faces. Karen will hold regular town halls and put out surveys to get feedback from you!
