Arlington County Board member Katie Cristol is leaving her post to lead a new nonprofit organization in Tysons, she said Tuesday.
Her resignation goes into effect July 4, about five months before the end of her term in December.
Cristol said it was “bittersweet” to “step down a bit earlier than I intended.”
“It’s said that ‘timing is everything’ in politics, but it’s never been my strong suit,” she said in a tweeted statement. “Mine’s always been a little early.”
“This morning, the board of the new Tysons Community Alliance announced that I’ll be joining the organization as its founding CEO. I couldn’t be more excited. The work is right at the intersection of transit, walkability and housing; it’s all about leading coalitions in pursuit of big goals, like equitable growth and sustainable, livable places. And it builds on the vision of an interconnected Northern Virginia region that motivates and energizes me,” she wrote.
— Katie Cristol (@kcristol) May 2, 2023
The aim of the Tysons Community Alliance is to promote economic growth and community development in the Fairfax County business district.
Its board of directors includes business and county leaders, residents, and members of KPMG, Penfed, and WMATA.
Arlington Board Chair Christian Dorsey thanked Cristol for her service and leadership in a statement. “She has been a trusted colleague and a distinguished leader on regional bodies representing Arlington,” Dorsey said.
“Her contributions to our collective efforts to increase opportunities for all Arlingtonians to thrive, while dismantling and reforming systems that cause them harm, have been profound and will have a lasting impact on our community,” Dorsey said.
Cristol, currently in her second term, was first elected to the Arlington board in 2015. She served as its chair in 2018 and 2022.
Featured photo courtesy Arlington County Board/YouTube
For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s News newsletter.
