MCLEAN COMMUNITY CENTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Afterschool Program Manager, 703 - 246 - 4705
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Human Resources, 703 - 744 - 9371
When you come to work at MCC, Human Resources Manager Anne McAfee will make sure you have everything you need to get started. In her 15th year at MCC, McAfee's wide-ranging responsibilities include, but are not limited to, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee relations and federal, state and county policy compliance.
McAfee graduated with a degree in History from the University of Virginia in 2007. While having worked full time for the last 13 years, dating back to 2009, she began her time at MCC in June of 2007 in a part-time position with the Programs and Administrative Divisions working on registration, reception, finance and more. In addition to her current responsibilities, McAfee also has a hand in finance and procurement and even serves as a chaperone for the Old Firehouse Center trips when needed.
A perk of McAfee's job-which she says happens to be her favorite part about working at MCC-is being involved. "I like being in the know about what is happening in my community, meeting and working with the people who make it happen, working in a creative atmosphere and helping our patrons get to know the Center better." Being involved at MCC is something that goes far back. She was four weeks old on her first visit to the Center with her mother, retired MCC 33-year employee Mary Anne Hampton. It's even believed that she had the first birthday party ever held at MCC!
When not in the office, McAfee loves to watch sports and is a fan of the Nationals, Orioles, Commanders, Capitals and UVA Cavaliers Basketball. She also enjoys listening to music and working on her family's genealo- gy and has spent hours in libraries and old courthous- es. Something you may not know about her is that she recently assisted British author Lee Cook, the foremost authority and historian on the U.S. Navy F4U Corsair Fighter Unit VF-17 "The Jolly Rogers," with photos of her father's uncle, Harry March, Jr. Cook is writing a book based on March's WWII diary, entitled "Dirty Eddie's War."
McAfee can be contacted at 703-744-9371 or by email at anne.mcafee@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Comptroller
- Comptroller, 703 - 744 - 9356
Show me the money," that memorable quote from the movie "Jerry McGuire," is often quoted by MCC Comptroller Ashok Karra. As the person charged with supervising the accounting and financial reporting functions at MCC, he is daily asking staff to do just that.
A native of Madras (Chennai), India, Karra joined the MCC staff in 2012, after having worked 26 years in the hotel industry. He holds a master's degree from Purdue University in Restaurant Hotel Industry Management and also worked for a chartered accountant auditing firm and a tea export company, prior to coming to this country.
At MCC, he provides management and oversight of the operating funds of the center. He also provides Dranesville Small District 1A residents, who pay a real estate surcharge that funds the center, information on the use of their taxes through financial stewardship. He recently completed work on the Center's FY 2020 Proposed Budget. Another part of his job entails working with the center's program staff to help them in their efforts to offer public events and activities in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner possible.
He says the job can be challenging, as he is charged with ensuring that numerous Fairfax County Government financial policies and procedures are being adhered to in day-to-day transactions. "We want to make sure we are conducting business properly," he said.
In his spare time, Ashok loves to spend time outdoors golfing, playing tennis and swimming. He also serves as a "foreman" for his wife Mihira, an artist who shows and sells her fabric portraits at art shows in the region. He has been delighted by a recent discovery. "Since growing my beard, I notice that people have started calling me "sir," he said. "This was something totally unexpected and amuses me no end."
Job Titles:
- Special Events Coordinator, 703 - 744 - 9375
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Education & ArtReach Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Special Events Manager, 703 - 744 - 9345
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Assistant Registrar, 703 - 744 - 9365
Job Titles:
- Director of Youth Programs, 703 - 744 - 9368
- Director, Youth Theatre Programs
Eighteen months ago, The Alden welcomed a new Director of its Youth Theatre Programs. Meet Danielle Van Hook. She was hired to fill the position after the retirement of longtime employee Kathy Herr. An experienced theater professional with a love of youth, Danielle has been busy refreshing the performing arts division's offerings for the "under 18" crowd.
An Arts Management graduate of Juniata College, Danielle began her career at the Wolf Trap Foundation's Institute for Early Learning through the Arts where she worked with teachers to bring artists to area classrooms. Before joining MCC, she worked in the programming and resource development department at the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, the largest service organization for performing arts industry professionals. Her new job encompasses "everything and anything" that The Alden offers for youth and the performing arts, including the family performance series, Alden productions featuring McLean youth, (the) Unruly Theatre Project and other improv programs, the Macdonald Scholarship Competition, summer concerts and the music education program, as well as youth performing arts master classes and workshops.
"The best part of my job is getting to know the community! Between the professional artist series for families and our programs for young actors, I get to meet arts lovers of all ages," she said. Parents have expressed to Van Hook that they are offered improv training at their workplaces and they are happy to see our improv programs being offered to youth. "I see how improv improves students' confidence, leadership, quick thinking and many other abilities, but it's even better when parents get excited about the impact." she says. Working with young McLean actors on Alden-produced shows has also been a rewarding experience. "Participants are sometimes upset when the shows end. This always reminds me of the great impact the performing arts has on the lives of young people and it also speaks to the power theater has to unite us," she said.
On a personal note, Danielle and her husband Travis married shortly before she began her new position. The couple recently added a new member to their family, a Goldendoodle puppy named JoJo. According to Van Hook, "She loves people and is the sweetest bundle of energy." Look for JoJo (and Danielle) at The Alden's summer concerts in McLean Central Park this July.
Job Titles:
- Graphic Designer
- Webmaster
- MCC Graphic Designer and Webmaster
- Webmaster & Graphic Designer, 703 - 744 - 9366
For MCC Graphic Designer and Webmaster Dave Craig, delivering messages through visuals created by hand or the click of a mouse is more than what he does for a living. It's his passion.
A staff member at MCC for the last three years, Craig comes from a strong design background. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa. before taking on freelance jobs and ultimately accepting a position with Whole Foods Market as a store graphic artist where he designed pieces for the entire Mid-Atlantic region. "When Amazon purchased Whole Foods, they eliminated my position, but it had a happy ending," he said. "Without losing my job, I never would have discovered MCC."
As the artist behind much of MCC's marketing material, Craig helps lead the effort of reaching the Center's patrons and local residents through a variety of mediums. He is responsible for creating ads, logos, posters, flyers and other marketing materials for the Center, The Alden Theatre and the Old Firehouse Center. He also designs the program and camp guides, as well as the Alden's season brochure.
As if that wasn't enough, Craig is also responsible for maintaining and updating the Center's website, mcleancenter.org, and occasionally photographing MCC-sponsored events. His favorite part of all of it? "Helping the incredibly talented staff at MCC deliver new, innovative ideas into the eyes and hands of our patrons."
In his free time, Craig enjoys writing and performing music on the guitar, playing video games and writing graphic novels. He lives with his girlfriend who is the lead cheetah-keeper at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. They have two dogs, Theodore, "Master of Mayhem," and Stanley, "Captain of Chaos."
David can be contacted at 703-744-9366 or by email at david.craig@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Job Titles:
- Communications & Public Affairs Director
Job Titles:
- Theatre Technician, 703 - 744 - 9364
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- Administrative Assistant, 703 - 790 - 0123
Job Titles:
- Acting Executive Director, 703 - 744 - 9342
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- Patron Services Manager, 703 - 744 - 9367
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- Executive Assistant
- Executive Assistant, 703 - 744 - 9348
- MCC Executive Assistant
MCC Executive Assistant Holly Novak may not know what challenges each new day at the Center will hold, but she will work through them with a smile and a desire to help others grow. In her fourth year at MCC, Novak provides intuitive, behind-the-scenes support to those in leadership positions so that they can move organizations forward.
In addition to her day-to-day operations, Novak plays an essential role in supporting the MCC Governing Board in their proceedings. She is responsible for notifying the public of all upcoming meetings,taking the minutes (the official record of board meetings), logistical support for the annual governing board election and handling various facets of fiscal year budget preparation and future meetings.
With a strong background in dealing with people, Novak's education and professional experience reflect her passion for serving and interacting with others. She graduated with a degree in Rhetoric & Communication from Temple University before earning her master's in Public Communication from the University of Maryland. She has since worked in a Fortune 100 company as well as a number of small businesses and large regional non-profit organizations, concentrating her efforts on marketing research, public opinion polling, administrative support, project planning and external communication.
Novak says she values the people she works with, citing the interactions as her favorite part about working at MCC. "I love my colleagues," she said. "With their specialized capabilities and professional expertise, each person is quirky and talented in his or her own way, which makes a fantastic staff team."
When she's not capturing every last word spoken in MCC board meetings or responding to public inquiries, Novak is traveling around the world. "I'm always thinking about my next trip," she said. A fan of Olympic and Washington sports, sewing, collecting antiques and singing in choral ensembles, Novak finds joy in the diversity of the people, places and things around her.
Holly can be contacted at 703-790-0123 or by email at holly.novak@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Job Titles:
- Technical Director of the Alden Theatre
- Technical Director, 703 - 744 - 9357
- Technical Director, the Alden
After almost 30 years of serving as Technical Director of The Alden Theatre, Jennifer Garrett still cannot accurately predict what might happen when she shows up for work. "On any given day, I could be writing specifications for an upgrade or maintenance project, looking at technical riders for artists performing here in the future; advancing this year's performances with artists or their agents; or designing staging and lighting for an event taking place that day-not to mention taking care of the basic administrative duties County employees have," she said. "It never grows old."
Despite the challenges, Garrett's love for her job and her commitment to making The Alden exceptional are evident. The Alden's tagline "Small Stage, Big Talent" rings true as the theater presents more than 75 shows each year, including such famous entertainers as Chita Rivera and Brian Stokes Mitchell.
Before joining the staff here, Garrett earned a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Maryland, College Park and was the technical director of the famed Duke Ellington School of the Arts from 1985 to 1990. "I love theater technology. Being able to contribute to making The Alden a first-class venue, while keeping its intimacy and friendly vibes gives me immense satisfaction," she said. "And, yes, I am a geek."
Garrett said she is "extremely fortunate" to have a great staff (Assistant Technical Director Justin King and Theatre Technician Cat Salisbury-Valerien). "Together we strive to ensure that artists and patrons experience the best the theater can offer," she said. The excellence of the theater has been recognized regionally and in the national publication, Stage Directions, which featured an article on The Alden in September 2007.
In her spare time, Garrett studies her family's history and has discovered ancestors from Germany and the Germanna Colony of Virginia. A self-proclaimed "cat lady" (she currently has seven), she also has an interest in alternative religions and herbalism.
Job Titles:
- Director of Grants and Strategic Projects
Job Titles:
- Assistant Curator & Gallery Manager
Job Titles:
- Cultivation & Events Director
Job Titles:
- Facilities Manager
- Facilities Manager, 703 - 744 - 9341
Having played a major role in the Center's recent renovation, McLean Community Center's Facilities Manager Joe McGovern has learned a lot in the last two years. "Renovating a building like ours was a major undertaking that entailed literally millions of details and every one of them was important," he said. As he, the MCC Governing Board, staff and MCC Executive Director George Sachs worked through those details, McGovern also had the responsibility of overseeing the care of the three temporary locations Center staff worked out of for 22 months. "You could say, my plate stayed pretty full," he said.
A native of Northern Virginia, McGovern attended Potomac Senior High School. After graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in Sports Management, McGovern began his career as an intern with the University of Michigan's football and hockey teams. He left Michigan in 1996, when he was given the golden opportunity of working at the Summer Olympics, which were being held in Atlanta, Ga., that year. "It was an amazing experience that gave me a new appreciation for what goes into organizing and hosting large scale events." After the job was over, he moved back to Virginia and was hired at MCC, where he has worked for the last 21 years.
As the facility manager, he oversees the facility's physical plant and coordinates the scheduling of the activities held at the Center. He supervises the rentals booking manager and the six recreation aides that staff the building on evenings and weekends. "I like working here because we get to provide spaces and services to people in the surrounding communities," he said. "Just about every day, I have an opportunity to see happy people enjoying classes or meetings or celebrating milestone events like birthday parties and weddings."
In his free time, he enjoys getting together with his brother, sister and parents, who still live nearby. "I love attending live music concerts and watching the Hokies play football and basketball from my couch, with my dog at my side."
Job Titles:
- Booking Manager, 703 - 744 - 9362
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Technical Director
- Assistant Technical Director, 703 - 744 - 9358
Job Titles:
- Registrar
- Registrar, 703 - 744 - 9365
When you come to MCC's Registration Office to sign up for a class or activity, the smiling face most likely to greet you will be that of Registrar Katie Fedora. Katie replaced Barbara Smoot in this high-profile position in September 2016, so you may think she is a relatively new employee. You would be wrong. "My MCC career began at the age of 16!" says Fedora. I started out as a Counselor in Training at Camp McLean and worked my way up to Assistant Director. In addition to my summer positions, I also worked in the Youth Activities department for about eight years." In 2011, she became a Recreation Aide, working at the Center's front desk in the evenings. "During my years at MCC, I have worked in almost all the departments," she adds.
Fedora grew up in McLean and attended McLean High School, where she was a competitive cheerleader. She also cheered while enrolled as a student at Bridgewater College. When she returned to the area, she coached the JV and Varsity cheerleading team at McLean High School with her best friend, Sarah Krawchuk. In addition to her job, Katie is busy raising her two children, 16-year-old daughter, Madison, and 14-year-old son, Griffin. A third "child," this one with four furry paws, named Moxie, also takes up some of her time.
In her current position, her biggest responsibility is to register customers for MCC-sponsored classes and activities, as well as entering, updating and maintaining the information in the Center's online registration system, Active.net. If a class must be canceled, she is the person responsible for notifying patrons. "Ultimately, I am the one who will call with the bad news."
Fedora says, "The best part of my job is getting to know our customers every day as they come and go. I love the interaction I have with the public, and the kids that come in for our children's classes are the best! I enjoy the fact that I never know what the day will hold. Every day is different, and I never know what I am in store for from day to day."
While MCC is in its temporary location, Fedora can be found at the front desk of the programming space in McLean Square Shopping Center, 6645 Old Dominion Dr.
She can be contacted at registrar@mcleancenter.org or by calling 703-744-9365.
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Governing Board
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- Social Media Manager, 703 - 744 - 9374
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- Office Manager, 703 - 744 - 9370
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Special Events Assistant Manager, 703 - 744 - 9344
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- General Programs Director, 703 - 448 - 8336
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- Accounts Payable, 703 - 744 - 9349
Job Titles:
- Youth Events Coordinator, 703 - 744 - 9359
Job Titles:
- Curator & Artistic Director
Job Titles:
- Development Associate
- Director
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing & Communications, 571 - 230 - 5197
- for Media - Related Inquiries, Please Contact
Job Titles:
- Director, 703 - 744 - 9343
- Performing Arts Director
When thinking of qualities that describe a great employee, being invested is one that comes to mind. That is exactly what Performing Arts Director Sarah Schallern Treff takes pride in as she finds herself in her 13th year with MCC and The Alden Theatre. "I'm in it for the long haul," she said. But for Treff, it's about more than just longevity: it's about the work she does and the people she does it for. "I love our patrons. McLean residents are so intelligent, curious and discerning, and being part of a community center means that we get to develop personal relationships with them."
Treff oversees The Alden's staff and the budget for the performing arts department. She also books acts for adult audiences, liaises with community art groups that utilize The Alden, and assists in the theater's marketing effort. "Something that's exciting to me about my job is the variety," says Treff. "Not just in my job duties, but in the variety of artistic disciplines we present."
Treff holds a Bachelor of Music degree from DePaul University, and a Master of Music in Opera Stage Directing from Florida State University. She originally came to the area for apprenticeships with Wolf Trap Opera but stayed after her second summer to work in the development department of the national opera association. She led the music department at the JCC of Greater Washington for several years before coming to MCC. In between, she directed a show for MCC's "sister" agency, Reston Community Center's theater camp. "We really are like a family [at MCC]," noted Treff. "We learn from each other, and more than anything, we have fun. I think that's what makes us successful professionally-enjoyment in what we do and in each other."
As someone trained in the arts, it's no surprise that you can find Treff unwinding with a little painting in her free time. "I haven't painted since I was a kid," she admits. "There's something very relaxing about it. I'm no Bob Ross, but I enjoy it." Additionally, she and her family-husband, Terje and stepdaughter, Lili-can often be found indulging in their "mild obsession" with their cat, Popo.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Governing Board
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Governing Board