About John

Family

John has been married to Dr. Marilyn Jerome for 27 years. Marilyn is a gynecologist with Foxhall Ob/Gyn Associates. John and Marilyn have two sons, Matthew age 24 and Patrick age 21. Matthew is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and works in Alexandria, Virginia. Patrick is in his final year at Georgetown University in the School of Foreign Service. John and his family have lived in McLean since 1987. They are members of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church.

Education and Professional Experience.

John grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the first member of his family to go to college. He paid for college by working summers in the steel mills and on the railroad. After earning a degree in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1973, John moved to Charleston, West Virginia where he worked for C&P Telephone Company (now, Verizon) performing economic and cost analysis studies. While working full time, John attended the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies in the evenings and earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

In 1977, John moved to the D.C. area to work for C&P and to attend the evening law school program at the George Washington University. He earned his law degree while working full time for C&P supervising cost and regulatory studies. John was recognized for high attainments in legal studies as a result of his achievements in law school.

From 1981 until his election to the Board of Supervisors, John practiced law in Northern Virginia. His law practice emphasized construction contract counseling and dispute resolution. He also provided general legal counseling for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Community Service

After moving to McLean, John became a community leader and was active in several civic associations and County advisory committees. An example of John’s advocacy on behalf of our community is the six year battle he led against a cellular company that was illegally constructing cell towers without public hearings. The fight wound its way through the Virginia Supreme Court, the Virginia legislature and the County Planning Commission. John’s efforts ultimately resulted in a major victory for citizen input to land use decisions involving commercial development on public property.

Service on the Board of Supervisors. John was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2007. He serves as Chairman of the Board’s Audit and Economic Advisory Committees. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board’s Budget and Transportation Committees. John also serves as Chairman of the Fairfax County Economic Advisory Commission.

John represents Fairfax County on several regional boards and commissions including the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Route 28 Commission (Chairman), the Mosaic Community Development Authority, the Fairfax County-Town of Hendon Inter-jurisdictional Committee (Chairman), the Dulles Rail Phase I and Phase II Tax District Commissions, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and the Metropolitan Washington Emergency Preparedness Council (Vice Chairman).

Since joining the Board of Supervisors, John has provided effective, results-oriented and common sense leadership for the Dranesville District and Fairfax County. He has earned the respect of his constituents and fellow Board members by listening to their issues and concerns, respecting their opinions, and investing the time and effort needed to bring the community together on difficult issues. He has led efforts to strengthen our local economy while protecting our neighborhoods from the impacts of development. And in a difficult economy he has demonstrated fiscal leadership and worked hard to make government more efficient and accountable, to identify and balance the community’s budget priorities, and to protect county taxpayers.
 
John's Community Service

Before his election as Supervisor, and while working full time in a demanding profession and raising his family, John distinguished himself as a civic leader who truly cares about our community and advocates effectively for us.

  • McLean Citizens Association: John served as President of the MCA, a civic association that represents the 65,000 residents of the McLean Planning District. As president and as a member of several MCA committees, John was a leader in advocating for the community on issues involving zoning and land use applications, transportation, Fairfax County’s budget and taxing policies, the environment and parks, and matters that effect area youth including schools and recreational activities.
  • Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council: EQAC advises the County Board of Supervisors regarding environmental issues. John was appointed to EQAC by former Board of Supervisors Chairman Kate Hanley and reappointed to two additional four year terms by former Chairman Gerry Connolly. As Chairman of EQAC’s legislative committee, John advocated for tree preservation and adequate public facilities legislation, clean air legislation and for increased state funding for open space preservation and water quality improvement programs.
  • Fairfax County Medical Care for Children Partnership: John was a member of the MCCP advisory council for several years and served as Co-Chairman of the Council’s Advocacy Committee. The MCCP is a public-private partnership that provides comprehensive medical care for thousands of children of Fairfax County’s working poor. As Advocacy Committee Chair, John’s primary responsibility was to advocate for children’s health care issues before the Virginia Legislature.
  • Boy Scouts of America: John served for three years as Chairman of the Chain Bridge District (McLean and Arlington) of the Boy Scouts of America. The District had approximately 2,500 Scouts and 500 adult volunteers. Under John’s leadership, the District won the coveted Quality District Award. In 2001, the Boy Scouts of America awarded John the District Award of Merit “for outstanding service to youth”.
  • Other activities: John has served the community as an effective leader in numerous other community groups and County advisory committees. He served as Fairfax County’s representative to the Transportation Coordinating Council’s Citizen Advisory Committee, President of the McLean Planning Committee, member of the Timberly South Homeowners Association board of directors, member of two citizen advisory committees to the Fairfax County School Board, representative to the Lewinsville Coalition, McLean Youth Soccer coach and (his favorite role) Cub Master of Cub Scout Pack 1134 for four years. John is also a long time member of the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce.