About Vivian
MEMBER VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES (1996 –
Committees: Chair of Finance; Chair of Criminal Law Subcommittee Courts of Justice; member of Rules, member of Transportation
Bills introduced by Delegate Watts that have been signed into law
Current Legislative Appointments:
- Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions Information
- Behavioral Health Commission Information
- Jt Subcommittee on Tax Policy Information
- Jt Subcommittee to Evaluate Tax Preferences, Chair Information
- Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates
- MEI Project Approval Commission Information
- Jt Commission on Transportation Accountability Information
- Forensic Science Board
- Ethics Advisory Council
- State and Local Taxes Task Force of National Conference of State Legislators
MEMBER VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES (1982-85)
- Left House to become Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety
- Committees: Finance; Labor and Commerce; and Chesapeake and Its Tributaries.
- Voted “Most Promising Freshman.” Listed in top 1/3 of effectiveness after 3 years.
- 22nd woman elected to General Assembly. In 2017, became longest serving woman in the House of Delegates
Prior Legislative Appointments: • Board of Veteran Services; • Northern Virginia Transportation Authority; • Select Committee on School Safety; • Governor’s Violence Against Women Commission, Chair of Criminal Justice Subcommittee; • Feasibility of Creating a Regional Rapid Transit Network, co-Chair; • Governor’s Biotechnology Advisory Board; • Subcommittee Studying Virginia’s Land Conservation Tax Credit; • Criminal Justice Services Board; • Chair, Victim Witness Advisory Committee; • Commission on Northern Virginia Regional Transportation Authority; • Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits.
PERSONAL
- Met and married Dave in college.
- Moved to Virginia in 1963 as he began a 40-year federal career as an attorney for the National Park Service and for Fish and Wildlife in the U.S. Department of Interior;
- Raised two children: Cindy and Jeff.
- Cindy teaches Math in Fairfax County Public Schools. Jeff lives in Virginia Beach and works with a Chicago marketing firm.
- Four grandsons: Ryan, Cal, Ian, and Michael. Two grand-daughters, Brooke and Paige;
- B.A. cum laude, University of Michigan, English major with minors in Mathematics and Psychology
- National Merit Scholar and Valedictorian, Trenton (Michigan) High School
- Personal finances
- Original owners of home in Truro subdivision. No other properties. No debt. Link to required annual Statement of Economic Interests.
- Tax returns
- Overview of General Assembly expenditures
WORK EXPERIENCE
FAIRFAX CASA (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES) (1993-2000)
• Executive Director of non-profit serving over 650 children in abuse and neglect cases annually.
U.S. ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS (1990-94)
• Author of two books on Criminal Justice through U.S. Department of Justice grant.
CONSULTANT, TRANSPORTATION AND FINANCE (1990-93)
• Clients included National Institute of Corrections, National League of Cities, Arthur Anderson Consulting, Ernst & Young, and National Association of Public Administration.
VIRGINIA SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY (1986-90)
State Agencies under Secretariat: • Transportation, • Corrections, • State Police, • Motor Vehicles, • Alcoholic Beverage Control, • Correctional Education, • Military Affairs, • Emergency Services, • Criminal Justice Services, • Parole Board, • Aviation, • Fire Programs, • Alcohol Safety Action Program, • Commonwealth’s Attorneys Services. (Virginia Port Authority prior to 7/88).
Exercised budgetary and legislative oversight for 29,395 employees, $2.77 billion in annual operating funds, and $100 million annually in building construction, in addition to highway and transit construction.
Major Secretarial initiatives
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Gained legislative approval of 1/2 billion dollar annual state transportation revenue increase;
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Initiated and carried out prison construction on 13 sites resulting in a 45% capacity increase;
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Chaired Northern Virginia sub-regional transportation plan adoption as the foundation for the NV Transportation Authority;
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Chaired Rt 28 negotiations for 80% private funding of $140 million public road improvement;
Additional highlights
- VRE Commuter Rail agreement reached involving 4 railroads, 6 localities, Virginia, and Congress.
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Congressional approval to establish the Washington Area Airport Authority. Dulles selected as site for the National Air and Space Museum expansion.
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Average highway construction project time cut 20%. Anti-fraud contract monitoring unit established.
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Private toll Road Corporation authorized and granted a franchise.
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Annual $10 million aviation safety improvement and service expansion program developed.
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Statewide emergency hazardous material response and training program established.
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Computerized fingerprint identification instituted.
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Prison escape rate and use of overtime brought to unprecedented low levels.
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Prison literacy program established. Prison mental health program achieved accreditation.
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Statistical model tracking 122 separate trends instituted to predict prison population growth. 10-year Prison Construction Master Plan developed.
RESEARCHER FOR ARTHUR YOUNG AND COMPANY (1984-85)
• Researched issues with potential impact on state/local government financial management, i.e. Garcia, insurance liability, customs clearance, court records computerization, client tracking, etc.
CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT (1979-80)
• Responsibilities included Procurement Conference, payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, electric power generation.
STATE LEGISLATIVE AIDE (1979-81)
• Tracked state budget and pension reform and developed over 25 statistically accurate redistricting plans.
FAIRFAX COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (1977-79)
• As Director or Research and Legislation provided research and strategy support for taxation, economic development, and transportation.
CHAIRMAN, FAIRFAX COUNTY FISCAL COMMISSION (1978-79)
• Directed comprehensive review of tax structure, intergovernmental revenues, budget and appraisal procedures, including compilation and editing of 125-page report.
CHAIRMAN, EFFICIENT USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES (1978)
• Developed evaluation framework for school closings and produced 40-page report.
FAIRFAX AREA LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
• President (1975-77) of 600 member organization.
• As Fiscal Chair authored “Alternatives to the Real Estate Tax” and “Fairfax County’s Tax Base”.
NUMEROUS HONORS AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDE
- NV Transportation Alliance 30th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Award 2017; Hazel Leadership Award 2024
- Treasurers of Virginia “Jefferson Award” 2024
- George Mason University Shar School “Regional Elected Leader” 2020
- Virginia Counselors Association Outstanding Legislator 2014
- Virginia Association of Commonwealth Attorneys “Champion of Justice” 2014
- NV Transportation Alliance “Dust, Sweat, & Blood Award” 2013 and 2007
- Dulles Corridor Rail Association Leadership 2013
- Apartment and Office Building Assoc of Metropolitan Washington Outstanding Leadership Award 2013
- League of Women Voters of Virginia Good Goverance Award 2013
- 2013 Virginia Coalition for Distraction Free Driving Award
- The Korean American Assn of Washington Metropolitian Area Public Service Award 2013
- Arts Council of Fairfax County 2012
- Virginia Interfaith Center “Legislator of the Year” 2011
- Mental Health Advocates “Community Contributor Award 2008
- Virginia American Legion Auxiliary “Outstanding Woman of Virginia” 2006
- Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court “Kassabian Award” 2004
- Sheriff Association’s “Outstanding Legislator” 2008 and 2003
- Human Services Coalition “Outstanding Elected Official” 2002
- Northern Virginia Technology Council “Champion of Technology 1999
- Virginia Network for Victims and Witnesses of Crime Outstanding Service Award 1999, 1997
- First “Honorary Member of the Fairfax County Police Child Services Unit” 1999
- Lossie J. Tucker Meritorious Service Award 1994
- Tysons Rotary Citizen of the Year 1987
- Annandale Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year 1986
- Founding member of Fairfax County Committee of 100
- Washington Post “Citizen of the Year” 1977
MAJOR NON-LEGISLATIVE and NON-Ex OFFICIA APPOINTMENTS
- MAJOR Non-LEGISLATIVE and Non-Ex Officio APPOINTMENTS
• Member, Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink (2023)
• Advisory Council, Salvation Army Northern Virginia Adult Rehabilitation Center (1993-
• Member, Fairfax County “Diversion First” Commission (2015 –
• Annandale North Springfield Little League team sponsor (1999-
• Arts Council of Fairfax County, Advisory Panel and Board Member (2001-2012)
• Advisory Committee to Court Appointed Special Advocates (1994-98) and Children’s Justice Act Programs
• Board, Annandale Rotary (1994-96)
• Board of Trustees, Virginia Museum of Natural History (1992-96)
• Chair, Virginia Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee (1992-94)
• Board of Directors, Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia (1991-97)
• Citizen Advisory Committee, Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Council (1990-94)
• Public Member, National Council of Engineering Specialty Boards (1991-94)
• Task Force on Growth and Transportation, Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments (1990-93)
• Member, Washington Board of Trade Transportation Committee (1990-93)
• Virginia Vice-Chairman, DO IT Coalition (1990-92)
• National Academy of Public Administration Advisory Panel on National Transportation Policy (1990-91)
• Executive Boards, Fairfax-Falls Church and National Capitol United Way (1978-92)
• National Board, Women Executives in State Government (1986-87)
• Board and Founding member (1977) of Fairfax County Committee of 100
• Board, Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (1984-86)
• Board, Prepaid Legal Services Corporation of Virginia (1983-85)
• Community College Child Care Board (1980-85)
• Advisory Board, Consortium for Continuing Higher Education (1981-85)
• Board, Friends of the Victim Assistance Network (1980-84)
• Chair, Fairfax County Fiscal Policy Commission (1978-79)
• Co-Chair, Fairfax school bond referendum (1978)
• Chair, Citizen Task Force on School Closings (1978)
• METRO Financing Task Force, Center for Metropolitan Studies (1977-78)
• President, Wakefield Forest PTA (1977-78)
• Citizen Task Force on Metrorail Alternatives (1977-78)
• Citizen Task Force Reviewing Proposed Water Rate Increases (1977)
• Chairman’s Council for Board of Supervisors (1976-77)
• Fairfax County Public School Superintendent’s Planning Council (1975-77)
• Steering Committee for successful courthouse referendum (1977)
• Alternate Forms of County Government Task Force (1975)
• Speakers Bureau for new Virginia Constitution (1970)
• Co-Chair, First Michigan Methodist Church Inter-racial Youth Conference (1958)
• Chair, Christian Citizenship, State Youth Board of the Michigan Methodist Church (1957-58)
Complete list of affiliations, honors, and major speeches and presentations furnished on request.