Senior Leadership Team

Dr. Michelle C. Reid became superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools on July 1, 2022. The mission of the office is to provide overall leadership and strategic direction to the school division in conjunction with the School Board.

Previously, Dr. Reid served as superintendent for Northshore School District in Bothell, Washington, a school district seen as the gold standard in Washington State. She was named National Superintendent of the Year by AASA (association of superintendents) in 2021.

Marty Smith became the chief of staff in June 2023. He is responsible for the strategic management and operation of the Superintendent's Office. 

Smith previously served as chief operating officer from 2018-23 and as the chief of staff from 2014-18. Before 2014, he was an assistant superintendent, a principal of Franklin Sherman Elementary School, and an assistant principal of Lane Elementary School and Graham Road Elementary School.

Dr. Geovanny Ponce became chief of schools in July 2023. He supervises the six region offices, as well as the Department of School Improvement and Supports and the offices of Nontraditional School Programs and Student Activities and Athletics.

Ponce previously served as the assistant superintendent of high schools for the Houston Independent School District, the 8th largest public school system in the nation.

Leigh Burden was named chief financial officer in July 2023, after serving as the assistant superintendent for the Department of Financial Services since 2018. The mission of the office is to protect and maintain the fiscal integrity of FCPS and ensure resources are effectively directed to the classroom. 

Previously, Burden had been with Loudoun County Public Schools since 2007, where she was responsible for leading all financial operations.

Lisa Youngblood Hall became the chief experience and engagement officer in August 2022. She plans strategies and devises policies to help FCPS create positive student, parent, staff, and community experiences. 

Before joining FCPS, Hall served as the chief communications and experience officer for the Northshore School District in Washington state.

Dr. Nardos King was appointed chief equity officer for FCPS in July 2023 after serving as the interim chief equity officer since 2021. She focuses on raising student achievement, closing achievement and attainment gaps, and supporting equitable opportunities for all students.

Prior to her current position, King served as the assistant superintendent for Region 3, an executive principal for Region 1, assistant superintendent for secondary schools in Baltimore County, and principal of Mount Vernon High School.

Andy Mueck was appointed chief operating officer in October 2023. The mission of the office is to provide community use of school facilities, safe and efficient student transportation, and food programs to support student academic achievement within FCPS.

Previously, Mueck served as vice president of operations for the National Industries for the Blind. He also served 26 years of active service in the Navy.

Dr. Sloan Presidio became the chief academic officer in November 2020. He focuses on increasing student academic achievement while continuing to expand equity in education, which means having systems in place to ensure that every student has the opportunity to realize their full potential. 

Before becoming the chief academic officer, Presidio had served as assistant superintendent for instructional services since 2012.

Gautam Sethi joined FCPS in September 2020 as the chief information technology officer. His mission is to provide information technology leadership, products, and services for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), while managing division-wide information resources.

Sethi came to FCPS from Douglas County (Col.) School District where he served as the chief technology officer. He has also led technology teams for Atlanta and New York City public schools. 

William Solomon was appointed to the position of Chief Human Resources Officer in June 2024. He is committed to building a world-class workforce dedicated to educational excellence by recruiting, developing, recognizing, and retaining outstanding employees. 

Previously, Solomon was the executive director of Talent Acquisition in the Houston Independent School District.

Janice Szymanski became the Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs in August 2023. She is responsible for capital projects, building operations, and facilities support functions. Responsibility for capital projects includes developing, implementing, managing, and directing capital construction projects.

Szymanski, a licensed architect, came to FCPS from her position as executive program manager in the capital design and construction division of the District of Columbia.

Tom Vaccarello was appointed chief safety and security officer in December 2023. He provides overall guidance, direction, and support to the safety, health, and security programs.

Previously, Vaccarello served in the Office of Safety and Security as the director and executive director since 2015. Before joining FCPS, Vaccarello was employed with the United States Secret Service as a special agent for 28 years.

John Foster became division counsel in 2013. The Office of Division Counsel provides legal advice and legal defense for FCPS. 

Prior to joining FCPS, Foster provided legal counsel for corporations, insurance companies, public service authorities, school boards, and local governments.