Sharon Bulova

Sharon Bulova
Chair of the Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors
Assumed office
February 3, 2009
Preceded by Gerry Connolly
Member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from the Braddock district
In office
1988–2009
Preceded by Audrey Moore
Succeeded by John Cook
Personal details
Born (1947-12-06) December 6, 1947
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s)
  • Richard T. Bulova
  • Louis G. DeFalaise
Children
Alma mater Northern Virginia Community College
Website sharonbulova.com
Bulova in 2012 supporting fundraiser benefiting construction of playground in Fairfax, Virginia
Bulova during 2015 Fairfax City 4th of July parade.

Sharon Schuster Bulova /bəˈloʊvə/ is the current chairman of the Fairfax County, Virginia Board of Supervisors. She was first elected chairman in a special election on February 23, 2009.[1] Bulova was reelected chairman of the board of Supervisors on November 3, 2015.

Early life

One of four children of Lawrence King Schuster, Sr. and the former Mary Suzanne Knox, Sharon Schuster grew up in Pikesville, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore.[2] In 1966, Shuster married scientist Richard T. Bulova and the couple moved to Fairfax County, where Richard worked at Fort Belvoir.[3] After living in Woodbridge for a short time, in 1971 the Bulovas moved back to Fairfax County, buying a house in the Kings Park West neighborhood of Fairfax.[4][5]

Bulova was elected vice president of the Kings Park West Civic Association, then became president when the existing president moved to Korea.[5] It was Bulova's work as president of the Kings Park West Civic Association that brought her to the attention of Annandale District Supervisor Audrey Moore, who hired Bulova in 1985.[6]

Political career

In 1987, Bulova was working as a legislative aide to Annandale District Supervisor Audrey Moore when Moore decided to challenge Republican Jack Herrity for the Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.[7] Moore encouraged Bulova to replace her on the Board, and despite being a political novice, Bulova declared her candidacy in April 1987.[8]

Bulova defeated Republican D. Patrick Mullins for the Annandale District seat in the November 1987 election, and was sworn in the following January.[9]

In 1988, Bulova became a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.[10]

In her first term as supervisor, Bulova focused on transportation, environmental and educational issues.[11] One of her major projects, which she had begun working on while still on Audrey Moore's staff, was the Virginia Railway Express commuter rail service.[5]

Bulova announced her run for a second term as supervisor in February 1991.[12] Surmounting the Republican strategy of tying all the board's Democrats to deeply unpopular chair Audrey Moore, she won reelection as supervisor from the renamed Braddock District in November 1991, defeating Paul E. Jenkins.[13][14]

In her 1995 run, Bulova handily defeated the Republican candidate, restaurant owner Paul A. Romano, III.[15]

Bulova was unopposed for her runs as Braddock District Supervisor in 1999 and 2003. She thoroughly trounced Carey C. Campbell in the 2007 election for Braddock District supervisor with over 80% of the vote.[16]

The election of Gerry Connolly as congressman from Virginia's 11th congressional district in November 2008 necessitated a special election to fill the Chairman's seat on the Board of Supervisors. In the February 3, 2009 special election, Bulova defeated her challengers, Republican Springfield District Supervisor Pat S. Herrity, as well as Independent Green Carey C. Campbell and independent Christopher F. DeCarlo.[17]

On November 3, 2015, Bulova was reelected as chairman of the Board of Supervisors, defeating Republican Arthur G. Purves and Independent Green Glenda Gail Parker.[18]

Priorities

Bulova's top transportation priority as chairman is Rail to Dulles, the effort to extend the new Metrorail Silver Line through Tysons to Dulles Airport [19]

Bulova was instrumental in the development of the vision for the transformation of Tysons Corner into a successful mixed use, transit-oriented community. Bulova has worked to address transportation challenges and revitalization opportunities associated with BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) in the South County area of Fairfax.[19]

Bulova is committed to providing high-quality bus service throughout Fairfax County, including on the new Beltway HOT lanes and the I-66 corridor. Increasing the availability and efficiency of service on the CONNECTOR and Metro bus routes countywide is also a high priority.[20]

Working with elected officials in neighboring jurisdictions, Bulova remains committed to energy efficiency and sustainability in Fairfax County.[20]

Regional leadership

In the summer of 2004, Bulova was appointed by then Governor Mark Warner to chair the Governor's Commission on Rail Enhancement for the 21st Century in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which recommended the creation of a State Rail Advisory Board. She was subsequently elected the first chairman of that board.[20]

Bulova was a member and past chairman of the Northern Virginia regional Commission where she worked on regional solutions to challenges facing the Washington Metro area.[20]

In 2009, Bulova served as chairman of the Council of Government's "Greater Washington 2050 Coalition." This effort resulted in the adoption of a Regional Compact signed by all 21 of COG's area jurisdiction. Bulova received an award from the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Planning Association for her leadership in chairing the Greater Washington 2050 Coalition.[20]

In 2011, Bulova was named one of Washington's 100 Most Powerful Women by the Washingtonian Magazine.[21]

Bulova is a member, and past chairman, of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. She is a founding member of the VRE commuter rail system.[19]

In November 2011, Bulova received the Tower of Dulles award from the Committee for Dulles for her work to bring Metrorail to Dulles International Airport.[20]

Community efforts

In 2011, Bulova initiated a Private Sector Energy Task Force consisting of corporate, institutional, and community leaders.[22][23] The task force was charged with defining a strategy to position Fairfax County as a leader in the areas of energy efficiency, sustainability, and green technology.[24]

The Business Roundtable Discussion Group was put together by Bulova to identify strategies for accelerating economic recovery in Fairfax County. In addition, the group is tasked with finding new economic development opportunities that include energy efficiency, conservation, and affordable housing strategies.[19]

Bulova put together a task force for the Fairfax County Asian American History Project. In May 2010, this task force produced a book and a website which captures the history of Asian-Americans in Fairfax County.[25]

Bulova founded the Faith Communities in Action. This countywide network encourages faith communities and charitable non-profit organizations to work in partnership with local government to better respond to the needs of the community.[20]

Bulova is also on the governing board of the Fairfax County Initiative to Prevent and End Homelessness.[19]

Bulova regularly engages constituents in community dialogues and task forces and publishes a monthly Bulova Byline electronic newsletter.[20]

Bulova has four adult children and seven grandchildren.

References

  1. ↑ "Chairman-Elect Bulova to Be Sworn in Feb. 6" (Press release). Fairfax County, Virginia. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
  2. ↑ "Larry Schuster Sr., Sharon Bulova's Father, Dies". Connection Newspapers. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  3. ↑ Anderson and, John Ward; Hilzenrath, David S. (31 December 1987). "Fairfax Board Takes New Direction: Chairman Moore At Forefront of Drive To Curb Growth". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 September 2015 – via Proquest. (subscription required (help)).
  4. ↑ Baker, Peter (14 January 1989). "To Residents, Kings Park West is Place to Grow". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Bulova, Sharon (5 May 2005). "Oral History Interview" (PDF) (Interview). Interview with Laura McDowell. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  6. ↑ Biele, Jesse (14 May 2011). "Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova Announces Re-Election Campaign". Centreville Patch. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  7. ↑ Anderson, John Ward (22 April 1987). "Audrey Moore Opens Campaign for Chairman: Fairfax Board Member to Oppose Herrity". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 September 2015 – via Proquest. (subscription required (help)).
  8. ↑ "Moore Aide Announces". The Washington Post. 30 April 1987. Retrieved 18 September 2015 – via Proquest. (subscription required (help)).
  9. ↑ Hockstader, Lee; Jordan, Mary (4 November 1987). "Moore Trounces Herrity: Defeat of Fairfax County Board Chairman Signals Slower Growth". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 September 2015 – via Proquest. (subscription required (help)).
  10. ↑ "Transit Means Business! Speaker and Panelist Bios: Sharon Bulova" (PDF). Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  11. ↑ "Choices in Fairfax County". The Washington Post. 3 November 1991. Retrieved 19 September 2015 – via Proquest. (subscription required (help)).
  12. ↑ "Bulova to Run For Reelection". The Washington Post. 21 February 1991. Retrieved 19 September 2015 – via Proquest. (subscription required (help)).
  13. ↑ Seaberry, Jane (6 November 1991). "Republicans Gain Control Of Board". The Washington Post. Retrieved 19 September 2015 – via Proquest. (subscription required (help)).
  14. ↑ Baker, Peter (14 November 1991). "GOP Wins By Linking Democrats; Republicans Capitalized On Rejection of Moore". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  15. ↑ "NORTHERN VIRGINIA ELECTION RESULTS: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties". The Washington Post. 9 November 1995. Retrieved 26 September 2015 – via Proquest. (subscription required (help)).
  16. ↑ "Virginia Elections Database » 2007 Board of Supervisors General Election Fairfax County - Braddock". Virginia Elections Database. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
  17. ↑ Gardner, Amy; Somashekhar, Sandhya (2009-02-04). "Bulova Declares Victory in Fairfax". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
  18. ↑ Olivo, Antonio (2015-11-03). "Big wins for incumbents, Democrats in Virginia's largest jurisdiction". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "Chairman Bulova's Biography". Fairfax County Web site. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Biography". Sharon Bulova Web site. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  21. ↑ Milk, Leslie (3 October 2011). "Washington's 100 Most Powerful Women". Washingtonian. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  22. ↑ McCaffrey, Scott (3 March 2011). "Fairfax Effort to Tackle Energy Issues Wins Applause from Neighbor". INSIDENOVA.COM. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Fairfax creates business energy use task force - Washington Business Journal". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  24. ↑ "Fairfax Effort to Tackle Energy Issues Wins Applaud from Neighbor"
  25. ↑
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