Melissa Grow, Chair

Melissa Grow is a long-time resident of Fairfax.  Her grandmother was a FCPS teacher for 35 years, and her grandfather delivered mail via horse and buggy after returning from the war. Melissa grew up in Fairfax County, graduated from Fairfax High School, and then George Mason University.  She and her husband bought a house in Fairfax City in 1999, where they have resided to this day.  By day, she is a Human Capital Consultant where she is passionate about helping Federal clients to update systems and processes to improve efficiencies.  A former piano teacher, Melissa is a parent of three children who have come through the arts programs at Providence, Katherine Johnson, and Fairfax High.  Melissa is excited to join the Commission to promote arts for children in the digital age. 

Padma Surapureddi, Vice-Chair

Born in Chennai, India, Padma Surapureddi is a poet, writer and painter. Her Indian roots provide the material for her literary imagination. Several of her short stories have been published in various literary magazines in the US and in India. Padma taught English Literature at Stella Maris College, Chennai, before she migrated to the US, to California, where she began painting to manage her separation from home. When she moved to Fairfax in 2003, she joined the Fairfax Art League, where she initially served as gallery docent chair, web master, treasurer and is now the president. Padma is happy to be part of the City of Fairfax and proud to serve on the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts; she hopes to contribute in making the City, a great arts destination. 

Brian Howell, Treasurer

Brian is a lifetime Northern Virginia resident and alumnus of George Mason University (BA, English) and Georgetown University (MPS, Technology Management.) Outside of his career in technology consulting, he is an avid photographer, writer, and painter, and regular student at the Art League of Alexandria. Brian and his wife have lived in Fairfax City since 2017, where they are now raising their two daughters. 

Ruth Bandler, Secretary and City of Fairfax Band Association Representative

Ruth Bandler moved to Northern Virginia in 1978, from New York and Boston, and immediately became active in the local music community, beginning with the City of Fairfax Band.  She is an Officer and Board member of the City of Fairfax Band Association and serves as the City Band’s Percussion Section Leader.  She is also a member and past music librarian of the Kings Park Concert Band.  She has performed with many groups throughout the Washington area, from symphonic bands and orchestras to jazz bands, to community theater pit orchestras.  She supported the city’s Independence Day activities by serving on the city’s Independence Day Celebration Committee.  Ruth has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in environmental microbiology and engineering from Harvard University where she played in the concert and marching bands. She recently retired from the Food and Drug Administration as an Operations Research Analyst in the Office of the Chief Scientist

Kevin Cao

Kevin Cao is the founder of Clight LLC, an IT consulting company, and UniCoder, a STEM education company based in Fairfax City.  Driven by a passion for technology and education, Kevin has dedicated his career to empowering others through innovative solutions and transformative educational programs.  Throughout his professional journey, Kevin has recognized the vital role that art plays within the tech world, particularly in nurturing creativity and self-expression among children.  He believes that art offers a necessary balance and a deeper understanding of society. Kevin is committed to increasing the visibility and accessibility of arts programs, encouraging young minds to explore, create, and connect through the universal language of art.  He is eager to bring his passion, dedication, and unique perspective to support and enhance the initiatives of the Commission on the Arts. 

Ginny Cate 

Ginny Cate is a Northern Virginia native who grew up in Arlington, VA. She and her husband Dennis have resided in Fairfax City since 1997 where they raised their three children. A graduate of Johnson and Wales University, Ginny has a customer service background and has worked for several companies in the food service, retail, and corporate sectors.  She has worked for Fairfax County Public Schools for over 12 years and is currently an Administrative Assistant at Fairfax High School. She developed a love of the arts at a young age in part due to her big family who were all involved in theater, choir, music, and art.  She passed the love on to her children who grew up appreciating all the concerts, plays, and art exhibits that the Fairfax City area has to offer. Ginny has been involved with the Fairfax City community for years, participating in and volunteering for her neighborhood church and school groups.    Her priority is her family and her hobbies include cooking, reading and music. Ginny is very excited for this opportunity to serve on the Commission on the Arts and to help connect the bridge between arts and education. 

Sharon Clark Chang

Sharon Clark Change was raised in Richmond, Virginia and has lived in the City of Fairfax for many years. After an 18-year career with the CIA's Clandestine Serivces in domestic and foreign assignments, she worked in advocacy for minority Americans. Still later, she formed a one-of-a-kind consultancy serving minority-owned small businesses.  She currently lives in the City of Fairfax, not far from the sites of the 'Escaped Alone' action.  'Escaped Alone' is her first book - A Memoir of an Incomplete Southerner!

Caroline Crocker

Dr. Caroline Crocker is a multi-genre writer, focusing on truth written like fiction, and a blogger addressing science, faith, teaching, and other topics.  In her previous life, she worked as a biologist, medical research scientist, associate professor, non-profit founder, and CEO.  Caroline lives with her husband in Fairfax, VA where she has four grown children, eight wonderful grandchildren, and a bulldog who snores very loudly.  

Pat Gallagher

Pat Gallagher joined the Commission on the Arts in 2015 with a professional background in law and accounting.  In terms of the arts, Pat has a special interest in arts management, including grants compliance, diverse programming, and fundraising. In terms of parks and recreation, she spent summers in high school and college working for a suburban park department, so has had a longstanding interest in supporting and advancing the use and enjoyment of city parks and recreational activities.

Hermes Marticio 

Hermes Marticio, a longtime resident of Fairfax City and Chief Creative at Freddie Mac Multifamily, brings nearly two decades of experience in advertising, communication, and technology.  Driven by a passion for continual progress, Hermes is eager to apply his expertise to enhance Fairfax City's vibrant arts scene.  Having raised his daughter in Fairfax, he envisions the city as a cultural hub within Northern Virginia, where modern art thrives and opportunities for artistic expression abound.  Hermes is committed to working with the Council to make this vision a reality. 

Yolanda Ortiz

A resident of the city for over 20 years, Yolanda is a graphic designer who enjoys giving back and working behind the scenes. A novice crafter and printmaker, she holds a Bachelors in Communication Arts & Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Masters in Art Education from Boston University. She credits her pursuing a creative career to her high school art teacher and wants to ensure that everyone has access to the power and possibility of the Arts. 

Nicholas Prosini

Mx. Nicholas Prosini (they/them) lives in Fairfax, VA and has had 15 years of experience teaching music in public schools and is a multi-instrumentalist.  Currently, they are a Music Educator and Band Director in Washington, D.C. public schools.  In previous years, Nicholas taught General Music and directed ensembles in central New Jersey, the public schools of New York City, and Fairfax County Public Schools.  They have a bachelor's degree (Music Education) from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and master's degrees from Montclair State University (Music Education) and City of New York- Hunter College (Educational Leadership). The have current New York State and Virginia teaching certifications in Music Education (K - 12). In their free time, Nicholas loves to dance, visit the beach, volunteer in their community, and take walks around the neighborhood.  On the weekend, you might find them sitting by the fire in the backyard, being a bonus parent to an awesome kiddo, or watching 90-day Fiance. 

Kelsey Sandoval

Kelsey grew up in Northern Virginia and has lived in the City of Fairfax since 2017. Art has been a constant in her life ever since as a child, her mother would take her to art classes that she taught. She went on to graduate from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Kelsey worked as a Graphic Designer for the Commercial Real Estate industry for over 5 years and is now a freelance Graphic Designer, however her true passion has always been in fine arts. She is an avid painter and illustrator, and even sells her watercolor paintings on Etsy! Kelsey has two daughters, and she and her husband love raising them in a city that offers so many wonderful events and activities throughout the year. She is excited to give back to the community in a field she is so passionate about, in hopes that more people find the same joy in art as she has had her whole life.