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2022 Employee Spotlights
Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is an annual event organized annually by the Public Employees Roundtable (PER). The 2022 event occurs on May 1 through May 7. During the week, employees will be honored across the nation on the federal, state, county and local government level. Public servants do amazing things in the United States and around the world--as well as in the City of Falls Church.
We're spotlighting a few City of Falls Church employees during Public Service Recognition week. Watch Facebook and Twitter for the spotlights, too.
We're spotlighting a few City of Falls Church employees during Public Service Recognition week. Watch Facebook and Twitter for the spotlights, too.
Alicia, Housing Development Specialist with the Housing and Human Services Department
How long have you worked for the City?
Since March of this year!
Can you tell us a little about your job?
I work with development partners to develop and preserve affordable housing in the City of Falls Church
What do you like most about your position?
I love the energy around the City, working with my colleagues, and the overall synergy surrounding the work in affordable housing in the City.
What is one food that you cannot resist?
Anything with sugar, I've got a major sweet tooth.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia. I loved the array of activities available in the area. In the fall, I would go apple picking and eat cider donuts at Carter's Mountain, spend time downtown and eat at one of the many restaurants, or I'd go hiking on a warm day. Despite it being a college town vibe, I enjoyed I could always find something to do.
Celeste, City Clerk
How long have you worked for the City?
It will be 8 years in July.
Can you tell us a little about your job?
I'm appointed by and serve as administrator to the City Council. The City Clerk's office works with every department, assisting with public meeting preparation and access, drafting and editing staff reports and legislation, doing legislative research, providing guidance on records management, processing Freedom of Information Act requests, and shepherding volunteers through the board and commission application process, to name just a few of our duties.
What do you like most about your position?
Getting to work with a lot of wonderful people...and meetings...I love meetings!
What's your favorite restaurant, shop, or hang out spot in the City of Falls Church, and why?
I have been known to spend some time at Clare and Don's Beach Shack.
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?
I would be a modern dance choreographer or own a surf board rental/coffee shop.
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
I would breathe underwater, like a mermaid.
What has been the most unexpected or surprising aspect of your time working with the City?
That I would have such a great working relationship with the Deputy Clerk and that I would move to Falls Church.
If you found yourself in a karaoke booth and knew you were going to be great at whatever you sang, what song would you pick?
The Go-Go's greatest hits, all of them!
Joseph, Public Safety Aide and Animal Control Officer in the Police Department
How long have you worked for the City?
I've been here for about two years.
Can you tell us a little about your job?
As a PSA, I am primarily responsible for parking enforcement, school crossings and traffic control when needed. As an ACO, I deal with a lot of animal bites and injured or orphaned animals. I always look out for the best interests of our wildlife and our resident's pets while also keeping our residents safe.
What do you like most about your position?
For the most part, it is a very self-motivated position. I can get to work and kind of plan my day as I see fit. I enjoy chatting with the students and parents during school crossings and enjoy the time with all my coworkers.
What's your favorite restaurant, shop, or hang out spot in the City of Falls Church, and why?
BorekG. This is a coworker's family's restaurant. It's a quick easy place to grab a snack during my shift and I have never had anything I didn't enjoy there.
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?
I would probably still be doing masonry and concrete.
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
Super strength. Sometimes a guy just doesn't want to ask his wife to open the pickle jar.
Where did you grow up?
I spent a good portion of my time in central WI. It is known for being the ginseng capitol of the world.
Kate, Deputy in the Treasurer's Office
How long have you worked for the City?
It will be four years this September!
Tell us a little about your job.
I process all of the electronic payments coming into the City of Falls Church and also handle the State Estimated Tax payment deposits and reporting back to the State.
What's your favorite restaurant, shop, or hang out spot in the City of Falls Church, and why?
Too many to name one. Maneki Neko, Dogwood Tavern, Liberty BBQ, Botanologica, Northside Social, Takumi, Rare Bird Coffee, Dominion Beer & Wine, and Thompson Italian are all favorites. Looking forward to the new restaurants coming into Founder's Row, especially the one by the folks who run Michelin Star Rooster & Owl in downtown DC. I love living, working, and playing in the City. It's so walkable and there's so much to do.
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?
Professional Baseball Fan or pickleball player.
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
Time travel
Where did you grow up?
I'm an Army brat. Born in Ft. Knox, KY and moved 6 weeks later. I've moved 13 times so far...
If you found yourself in a karaoke booth and knew you were going to be great at whatever you sang, what song would you pick?
Rio by Duran Duran
Lance, Police Officer
How long have you worked for the City?
About 5 months.
Can you tell us a little about your job?
I help provide law enforcement and public safety services to the community. Before starting here, I worked for WMATA Metro Police. I’m excited to start serving people who live and work in the community and aren’t just passing through!
What is your favorite restaurant in The Little City of Falls Church?
Plaka Grill!
If you could have any job other than being a police officer, what would you do?
I would be a zoologist. I think reptile and amphibians are awesome!
What famous person would you love to meet?
Lady Gaga, I think she’s one of the best performers of all time and seems like she’d be a cool person to hang out with.
What food can you not resist?
Spaghetti carbonara!
Where did you grow up?
My dad’s job took me all over the world growing up. I’ve lived in Asia, Western Europe, basically throw a dart on the map. Singapore was my favorite.
If you found yourself in a karaoke booth and knew you were going to be great at whatever you sang, what song would you pick?
George Michael, Careless Whisper
Leslie, Public Safety Aide in the Police Department
How long have you worked for the City?
I started in August last year, so less than a year!
Can you tell us a little about your job?
My main responsibility is parking enforcement, but I’m also a crossing guard before and after school and assist officers with traffic control, like whenever there’s an event or power outage.
What is your favorite hang-out spot in the City?
We just went to Liberty BBQ - the bar is really nice! Friendly and social.
If you could do anything besides being a PSA, what would it be?
I used to work in hospice, which I loved doing. I really enjoy working with our elders, they’re so kind and appreciative for any and everything you do.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Silence. The ability to make things quiet, especially people. Call me the Muter Maid.
What is a food you cannot resist?
Steak, ribeye, medium rare.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Washington DC - my favorite neighborhood is Georgetown, especially M Street back in the day when it wasn’t so congested. Loved walking around with my sisters!
Matt and Fitz, Master Police Officer and K9 Handler in the Police Department
How long have you worked for the City?
For about 7 and a half years.
Tell us a little about your job.
I patrol the mean streets of Falls Church with my K9 partner Fitz. I am also currently the traffic unit, so I try my best to slow down traffic in the little city, monitor our school bus stops and respond to traffic accidents.
What's your favorite restaurant, shop, or hang out spot in the City of Falls Church, and why?
Fitz and I spend a lot of time at Larry Graves Park. There is plenty of room for him to run around and get out his abundance of energy. I also get to meet a lot of the citizens of Falls Church that enjoy the park.
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?
I would be a High School basketball coach.
Where did you grow up?
San Antonio, Texas. My favorite thing about San Antonio is the Mexican food and San Antonio Spurs basketball
If you found yourself in a karaoke booth and knew you were going to be great at whatever you sang, what song would you pick?
Who Let the Dogs Out?
Meredith, Librarian with the Mary Riley Styles Public Library
How long have you worked for the City?
Six years!
Can you tell us a little about your job?
I work in the Children's Department which is a lot of fun! I'm in charge of school age programming, so I plan all of the Early Release Wednesday crafts and Summer programs. I also do storytime with the toddlers and preschoolers. I'm responsible for selecting all of the picture books that we have at the library. I like to tell people that being a Children's Librarian is everything I loved about being a teacher with none of the things that made teaching stressful.
What do you like most about your position?
I have a great supervisor, director, and team. We work really well together and our strengths compliment each other's weaknesses nicely.
What's your favorite restaurant, shop, or hang out spot in the City of Falls Church, and why?
Liberty Barbeque is my favorite restaurant in the City. I go there for my dinner break every Monday, and I try to have brunch at least once a month. I've tried almost everything on the menu. It's location makes it really convenient for me to walk over for a meal. When the weather is nice I will sometimes take my laptop over and work on their patio while enjoying Nick's excellent sweet tea.
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?
I would work in records management for the federal government. I did a year long internship during grad school and found this aspect of librarianship fascinating. Curating and preserving the present and past for future generations is something I feel passionate about.
If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I'd like to meet my ancestor Joseph Cobb who came to Virginia as a young teenager around 1613-1615. I'd like to talk to him about what made him want to embark into the dangerous unknown at such a young age
What is one food that you cannot resist?
Ritter Sport Dark Chocolate covered Marzipan
If you found yourself in a karaoke booth and knew you were going to be great at whatever you sang, what song would you pick?
The Winner Takes it All by ABBA