Bill Lecos, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, is optimistic about the future of Fairfax County. That was the general theme he expressed to Rotarians at their weekly breakfast meeting at Baileys Crossroads Athens Restaurant on May 9.   

The county has changed dramatically since the 1950s. Then, Lecos reminded his audience, Fairfax County was Virginias largest supplier of dairy products. In the following decade, it became a bedroom community for the Districts federal workers.  

Federal procurement drove the regions economy beginning in the 1980s. The Fairfax County business community provided the skilled labor force needed to apply complex technologies to solve very complex problems. 

Much of the country is feeling the impact of a national economic downturn. Yet, the county is not really losing jobs. It adapts well to change and Mr. Lecos anticipates its continued economic growth.  

The county will continue to accommodate growth, even in the apparent absence of open land for additional development. He projects that Tysons Corner will transform itself into an urban center. Some buildings will come down and they will be replaced by environmentally green structures.  

Mr. Lecos said that he believes in pioneer projects development that provides leverage for additional improvement. It is a focus on big projects like Tysons Corner redevelopment, trolleys on Columbia Pike, and rail service to Dulles Airport.    

While change is constant, Mr. Lecos observed that Fairfax County will remain true to its core values based on commitments to educational excellence and economic growth. And the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, an independent policy-focused organization, will serve as an entrepreneurial change agent for that economic growth.     

Guests are welcome to attend the Rotary Clubs breakfast meetings held each Friday at 7:30 a.m at the Athens Restaurant. Upcoming guest speakers include: April Umminger, Graphics Reporter for USA Today (May 23); Cong. Jim Moran (June 6); Doug Duncan, Chief Economist for Fannie Mae (June 27).