MEET JOHN & HIS FAMILY

Thank you for visiting my website. This page introduces you to a little bit about myself and my family.

John and his family: (l to r): Sarah, Laura, Valerie, John, Jessica, and Amanda.

My Work with the Kings Park Civic Association

As president of the Kings Park Civic Association (KPCA) from 2006 to the present, I developed and implemented a community revitalization program that is already serving as a model for other communities in Fairfax County. Under my leadership, KPCA membership increased from 380 of 1160 homes to over 600. Volunteerism increased significantly. We worked with County officials to sponsor a “Neighborhood College,” where 36 Kings Park neighbors devoted six Monday evenings and a Saturday to learn about Fairfax County government, zoning and property maintenance regulations, community building techniques, and cross-cultural understanding. Then, these neighbors put their new knowledge and skills to work in the community. We expanded the community block captain program from covering 35 of 79 blocks to covering 71. We did significant work cleaning up our community entrance signs. A first-ever community potluck dinner drew 550 attendees. We addressed code violations in constructive and effective ways. County officials credit the KPCA revitalization program with producing a drop in zoning complaints in the neighborhood.

I was honored last Spring when Supervisor Sharon Bulova selected me to receive the 2008 Braddock District “Community Champion” award from Volunteer Fairfax for my work on the KPCA revitalization program. County officials and organizations have invited me to meet with them to discuss neighborhood revitalization, and in September 2008 I addressed the Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference to discuss our program. But the true success of our efforts in Kings Park was the result of the work of so many people in the community who joined together to find new ways to make our community a better place to live. That is why it was so gratifying when the KPCA was awarded the 2008 “Best of Braddock” award for “Community Enhancement and Beautification” by the Braddock District Council, which is an organization of approximately 200 civic and homeowners’ associations in Braddock District. I have learned that the true value of community service is to see your neighbors and your neighborhood prosper through the efforts of many people, and to know that, perhaps, something in your own effort inspired in some way this great community success.

Additional Community Service

I have found my other community service to be equally rewarding. I served as a vice president of the Kings Park/Kings Glen Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for two years and am a member of the Fairfax County School Board’s Advisory Committee on Adult and Community Education. I am a member of Burke United Methodist Church, where I have served on the Building, Personnel, and Preschool Committees, and I led a subcommittee that oversaw construction of the church’s latest building expansion. I have especially enjoyed coaching girls’ “coach pitch” softball through the Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC) and I previously served as an assistant coach for Catholic Youth Organization’s (CYO) girls’ basketball. I understand that sports and recreation programs are among the most important assets we have in Fairfax County.

My Professional Career

I am a managing partner in my Fairfax law firm of Cook & Kitts, PLLC. I am honored that my fellow attorneys selected me three times as a member of Virginia’s “Legal Elite,” as published by Virginia Business Magazine, and twice as a Virginia and Metropolitan D.C. “Superlawyer,” as published by Law and Politics and Richmond magazines. I have lectured and published articles on civil litigation and employment law issues. I serve as a mediator for the District of Columbia Superior Court and a Conciliator for the Fairfax County Circuit Court. I am a former chair of the Employment Law Section of the Fairfax County Bar Association and a regular participant in the Fairfax Bar Association’s pro bono employment law project.

My Background and Education

I grew up in Delhi, NY, and received my B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Gettysburg College in 1985, where I was also selected as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. I have continued by affiliation with Gettysburg over the years, often participating in career days and other functions. Ten years ago I served on Gettysburg’s “Commission on the Future,” which charted a course for the future of the institution. I received my J.D. degree from George Washington University Law School in 1988 and continued my affiliation there by serving as an adjunct professor of law for three years. I am a former assistant corporation counsel for the District of Columbia and began my career in the federal government working on welfare reform regulations.

My Family

Like many of you, my family is my foundation. I live in the Kings Park community with my wife, Valerie, and our daughters Jessica, Sarah, Amanda, and Laura. Education is important to us as a family. Valerie worked for seventeen years at the U.S. Department of Education. Jessica is in her sophomore year at Christopher Newport University, where she plans to earn a Master’s degree in teaching. Sarah and Amanda attend our terrific Kings Park Elementary School. Laura is in preschool now and is looking forward to joining her sisters in school soon. Our children enjoy playing sports through BRYC, participating in Girl Scouts, attending programs at the local library, and just being kids. Valerie and I appreciate the safe neighborhood in which we live and the friendships we have built in the community. Valerie enjoys her monthly Bunco game. I am an avid baseball fan and a Washington Nationals season ticket holder. As a family, we look for ways to enjoy together all that Fairfax County has to offer.

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