Elaine McConnell is serving her twentieth year as a Supervisor for the Springfield District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. A native of Florida, Mrs. McConnell and her husband "Mac" have live in the West Springfield area since 1961 when he was transferred as an ATF agent to Washington, D.C.
Elaine is CEO of the family business she established in 1964, Accotink Academy, where they now have four schools and over 275 employees. She was a pioneer in the field of learning disabilities, having established the first school for children with learning disabilities in the Metropolitan area in 1969. She has continued her interest and research in this field. Her papers on handwriting and math disorders have been circulated throughout the country.
Elaine has not only championed the field of special education, but her interest in law enforcement has been evident in her strong advocacy for the needs of Fairfax County Police and Fire Departments where she has over the years moved to add drug enforcement officers, additional staff for the mixing bowl, laser radar equipment, take home cars for police officers, additional patrol officers and equipment for the fire department.
Elaine is well known for her leadership in transportation issues in the county where she has worked tirelessly for improving our transportation needs. She was the originator of the Virginia Rail (VRE) which carries over 12,000 people per day on its two lines in the I-95 Corridor, and from Manassas. She served as chairman of the operation board for VRE in 2001 where she is still a member of the Board. She is a Chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, and chairs the Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee. She serves on numerous local boards as well as being appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Mental Health Board and the State Hazardous Material Board. In May 2002, Elaine received an award from the Virginia Transit Association for her "Outstanding Contribution by a Public Official", for the State of Virginia.