Arlington County Press Release

Monday, November 19, 2007

Contact: Mary Curtius 703-228-7943 (voice), 703-228-4611 (TTY)

Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette Honored for Regional Leadership

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments awards efforts to address regional growth and transportation challenges

ARLINGTON, Va. - Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette has been honored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments for his leadership and dedication to regionalism.

Fisette received COG's 2007 Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award for his efforts to advance long term growth and transportation solutions for the Greater Washington region that include greater private sector and civic sector involvement. The award was made Thursday, Nov. 15, during COG's 50th Anniversary Gala, where some 500 leaders commemorated COG's success at uniting officials on regional issues.

"COG selects one local official annually who has gone beyond the call of duty in promoting regionalism," COG Executive Director David Robertson said in making the award. Fisette is continuing the legacy of the Sculls, two elected officials who were very active with COG, Robertson said.

Fisette was cited for helping organize COG's green building initiative and for being a strong advocate for a new transportation program that helps local governments connect jobs and development to transit and transportation. Robertson noted that Fisette helped lay the foundation for the Greater Washington 2050 initiative and championed the improvement of the region's pedestrian and bike plan.

About Jay Fisette
Jay Fisette is past- chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors, serving on that organization's Metropolitan Development Policy Committee and the Regional Emergency Preparedness Council. He is a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, and was elected president of the Virginia Municipal League just last month. Mr. Fisette also represents Arlington on the Greater Washington Initiative of the Board of Trade. He has been a member of the Arlington County Board since November 1997 and served as Chairman in 2001 and 2005.

About COG
COG is a regional organization of 21 local governments surrounding Washington, D.C., plus area members of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.

COG provides a focus for action and develops sound regional responses to such issues as the environment, affordable housing, economic development, health and family concerns, human services, population growth, public safety, and transportation.