On December 18^th, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) held its annual Egan Excellence Awards ceremony to recognize the outstanding achievements of Department of Housing and Community Development staff. The Egan Awards recognize exceptional contributions in achievement, collaboration, service, and leadership that assisted the FCRHA in achieving its mission.

Congratulations to the 2025 Egan Awards recipients on your outstanding efforts!

Excellence in Achievement – Yudhie Brownson

Yudhie Brownson has exemplified his exceptional leadership and dedication as the lead Project Manager for Fairfax Crest, a new development on former parking lots at the Fairfax County Government Center. Throughout this complex and high-profile project, Yudhie has demonstrated extraordinary initiative and professionalism in navigating numerous challenges. His tactful communications, attention to detail, and proactive engagement have ensured that all stakeholders, from County departments to developer partners, remain informed and aligned toward the project's success.

Excellence in Achievement – Julie Chen

Julie worked incredibly hard this year, most notably through her underwriting and project management on Beacon Landing, a unique permanent supportive housing development. She worked closely with the development team to review the deal structure, assessed the requirements and layering of anticipated funding sources, processed approvals, and managed day-to-day project issues to get the deal to closing and construction started. Julie’s dedication to her work and efforts throughout the Beacon Landing project speak to her flexibility, innovation and dedication to residents.

Excellence in Achievement – Davood Majidian

Davood is recognized for his leadership and exceptional contributions in creating an efficient process to engage and evaluate potential firms that are selected to develop and preserve affordable housing. Davood established new Basic Ordering Agreements for Project Management and Construction Management services. These agreements will serve the agency for years to come and are critical to the future success of both new development and portfolio projects. Davood’s efforts will have a lasting impact on the agency's ability to move forward with an increasing volume, by not only streamlining a critical selection process but also establishing a framework for future collaborations.

Excellence in Achievement – Callie Seltzer

Callie has made an incredible impact on the agency through her leadership of the Real Estate and Community Development Finance teams. Callie has published two Notice of Funding Availabilities, hired staff, identified new financing tools, led and supported Housing Task Force Teams, honed underwriting criteria and processes, supported development and preservation activities, and closed on the financing of multiple projects. Very notably, she was major driver in achieving the financial close on Beacon Landing, a unique housing development. Her leadership, financing expertise and ability to understand issues were critical in getting the deal to closing and construction started.

Excellence in Achievement – Kathryn Taylor

Kathryn has demonstrated outstanding achievements, initiative, and adaptability since joining the Rental Assistance team at HCD. Despite being new to the agency, she has quickly learned the programs and contributes at a high level. During a period when there were vacancies in her division, Kathryn stepped in seamlessly to ensure vouchers were issued correctly and in full compliance with HUD regulations. And, after vacancies were filled, she continued to manage the lease-up process for families moving into Fairfax County while simultaneously assisting families who were entering the HCV program. Her timeliness in processing requests and attention to detail have been exceptional. Kathryn’s professionalism, initiative, and results-oriented approach truly exemplify excellence in achievement.

Excellence in Service – Jason Chia

Jason provides exemplary service to the FCRHA Commissioners by supporting each of them in their use of technology, often making trips to the commissioner locations across the County to provide technical support. He has also provided critical service in the execution of the Committee of the Whole and full FCRHA meetings, ensuring that the room and technology are set up and function throughout meetings. Jason's work is very much behind the scenes, and his skills and presence often go unnoticed. The Commissioners and staff are grateful for Jason’s quiet and unwavering efforts.

Excellence in Service – Sam Gallo

Sam is committed to the provision of rental assistance for the most vulnerable populations the FCRHA serves, including veterans, individuals living with disabilities, and youth aging out of foster care. Sam was central to the start-up and implementation of the Commonwealth’s Permanent Supportive Housing Program, which will serve 300 individuals with serious mental illness in Fairfax County. Sam worked closely with staff from the Commonwealth’s Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services to negotiate program size and operations, program budget, and leasing schedule. She spent countless hours working with her colleagues to work through programmatic and technology details of this critically important rental assistance resource. This program would not have been launched without her creativity, determination and resolve.

Excellence in Service – Allyson Pearce

Allyson is central to the FCRHA’s public facing functions, and she handles this public aspect exceptionally well. She organizes ground-breaking events, topping off and grand opening celebrations, and more, all in support of the development and preservation work of the FCRHA. These events are incredibly challenging to successfully accomplish, requiring coordination with elected and appointed officials, developers, HCD staff and other stakeholders. She prepares and coordinates talking points, press releases, social media, and countless other tasks. All her efforts and actions result in seamless events with polished marketing and branding for attendees to share. Allyson supports the FCRHA behind the scenes in numerous other ways, and the Commission is thankful for all she does to publicly promote the good work of the FCRHA.

Excellence in Service – Brandy Thompson

Brandy Thompson served as Clerk to the FCRHA from 2023 to 2025, exhibiting outstanding dedication and service during this time. Brandy’s efforts were “behind the scenes” and critical in ensuring that FCRHA meetings operated smoothly, materials were prepared accurately and on time, questions from FCRHA Commissioners were addressed in a timely manner, and much more. Brandy consistently contributes to the mission of the FCRHA through her thoughtful approach to work, her willingness to always help others, and her reliability. Her leadership and service to the FCRHA have resulted in numerous administrative improvements for staff, advancements in record keeping for the FCRHA, and enhancements to the FCRHA Scholarship program.  

Congratulations to this year’s recipients!