The Connection

Karyn Miller has joined Arlington Arts Center as the new director of exhibitions. In this role Miller will be responsible for conceiving and delivering a year-round exhibition schedule including public programs for three distinct exhibitions programs. For more than six years Miller headed the visual arts and communications at CulturalDC where she directed the artist recruitment and selection at Flashpoint Gallery while leading exhibition efforts for public projects like Construct and CONNECT 4. Prior to this she served as gallery director for five years at Connersmith giving her more than 11 years of experience in her field. Along with her work in the arts, Miller has also served on panels and given talks at various institutions including the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Corcoran College of Art + Design, and will be serving as an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University this spring.

The Arlington Young Democrats held elections for their 2014 Executive Board at the NRECA Building in Ballston. The board results are: Max Burns, president; Alex Williams, vice president; Matthew Brown, secretary; Amanda Herrmann, political director; Harry Blackwood, outreach director; Maggie Davis, community service director; Wendy Lue, treasurer; and Joshua Katcher, party representative.

George F. Allen, former Virginia governor and U.S. senator, has joined the Arlington-based corporation VT Group as a strategic advisor, supporting integrated technical solutions, particularly Passive Optical LAN solutions. In 2007, Allen founded George Allen Strategies. He serves on the boards of directors of several technology companies, including Nano Risk Assessment and Armada Hoffler. Allen is also the Reagan Ranch Presidential Scholar for the Young America’s Foundation. He holds a B.A. with distinction in history and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

Four individuals were selected as winners of the 2013 James B. Hunter Human Rights Award according to the Arlington Human Rights Commission.

Leslie Alden, Richard Cobb, Thomas Kelley and Margaret Patterson are this year’s winners of the Hunter award, named for the former County Board Member, who spent years in public service working on behalf of individuals with little access to government. The James B. Hunter Award recognizes sustained commitment and /or outstanding accomplishment in the area of human rights made in Arlington by an individual, community group, non-profit organization or business.

Alden is a former Fairfax County Circuit judge who has spent her career devoted to gender rights and access to justice for all. Alden has written about — and been involved with — human rights issues locally, nationally and internationally. She has advocated for both equality and the protection of children from exploitation and human trafficking. After retiring from the bench in 2012, Judge Alden is now a member of the George Mason University Law School, teaching these values to future lawyers.

When Cobb joined the Arlington’s Central United Methodist Church in in 1998, he opened up the church to homeless people. He created a drop-in meals program that has grown to serve 120 individuals every week. By partnering with Arlington County’s Department of Human Services and A-SPAN, the individuals are able to receive mental health services, employment counseling and case management. He serves on the Leadership Council of Arlington’s Consortium to Prevent and End Homelessness and is a tireless advocate for homeless individuals in the community.

A resident of Arlington County for more than 20 years, Kelley has dedicated his life to ensuring that schools provide equal access to children with disabilities; he currently heads the Office of Rehabilitation Services within the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to working on disability issues, Kelley serves as vice president of the International Initiative to End Child Labor, which advocates for protection of children to be free from all forms of exploitation, including forced labor and human trafficking. As a quadriplegic, Kelley is a role model who challenges people’s misperceptions that persons with disabilities cannot contribute to society at large.

Patterson is the executive director of the Child and Family Network Centers, and her lifetime commitment has been to children and families. For more than 30 years, she has provided opportunities to abused children and their families, including successful start-ups of two nonprofits providing direct services to abused children.

Ralph Duncan is the new vice president of business development at BMT Designers & Planners. A University of New Mexico, Naval Postgraduate School and Stanford University graduate, he has more than 30 years' experience in the marine engineering sector. He has worked as an analyst and senior marine engineer, and has held a number of senior roles for Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm Art Anderson Associates, most recently as VP Marine Design and Research. His new role at BMT will see him take responsibility for identifying emerging market trends, whilst developing and qualifying commercial marine engineering opportunities, to support the company's continued expansion and development.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has presented Arlington County Board Member Mary Hynes with the organization's highest honor, the Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award. Hynes’ career in public service began as member of the Arlington School Board. She was first elected to the County Board in 2007, and she has been a champion for connecting development and affordable housing to sound transportation planning. She also has played a key role in promoting the Council of Government’s Region Forward vision, the Transportation Planning Board’s upcoming Regional Transportation Priorities Plan, and Metro’s Momentum vision.

Tracey J. Coates, of Arlington who belongs to the Family Law and Litigation practice groups at Paley Rothman, was selected to be 2014 Maryland “Super Lawyers” in Family Law.

Diana Sun, assistant county manager and director of communications of Arlington County, completed a Master of Arts degree in security studies at the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

Sun has served in her position since January 2003. She manages and directs all external and internal communications for Arlington County. Prior to joining County service, Sun was head of corporate communications for Capital One Financial Corporation and worked in the public relations consultancies Fleishman-Hillard and Hill & Knowlton. She earned a Bachelor of Art degree from University of Virginia. She resides in Arlington.

Sales Associate David Lloyd Jr. of the Arlington office of Weichert, Realtors, was individually recognized for his industry success during the month of November. A top producer, Lloyd led the region, which is comprised of offices throughout Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier and Delaware counties, in resale listings.

Morey B. Epstein will join the Synetic Theater family after 24 years as the chief development officer at Washington, D.C.'s Studio Theatre. Epstein will use his expertise and knowledge to help fund Synetic's mission and programs. He will be responsible for organizing and directing all facets of fundraising activities.