Stafford Democrats Choose Starkey as Garrisonville Nominee

STAFFORD. VA (Jan. 30,2012)…At a caucus Monday night the Stafford Democratic Party nominated retired Air Force Colonel John A. “Jac” Starkey by acclamation as its nominee for Garrisonville supervisor in the April 3rd Special Election.

After retirement from the Air Force in 2006, Jac Starkey settled with his family in their Austin Ridge home which they purchased in 1999. Because of redistricting his neighborhood is now in the Garrisonville District.

Starkey says a motivating factor for his run for office resulted from his attendance at a community meeting related to landslides in Austin Ridge:

“I attended a meeting with my neighbors and by the time it was over most of us left frustrated — the meeting was long on excuses and short on solutions. We mostly felt the county was too slow to respond to the crisis.”

Starkey says, “It also concerns me that the Republican-controlled Board of Supervisors during the past year weakened environmental regulations intended to protect homeowners. What happened to my neighbors could happen to anyone of us.”

In addition to providing responsive leadership, Starkey’s priorities include strong support for Stafford’s public schools and improving transportation infrastructure.

“The supervisors must protect homeowners and be quick to respond to whatever crisis situation arises,” he told the caucus of Democrats. “Stafford has been impacted by an earthquake, tornados, and hurricanes, and given our proximity to Quantico and Washington D.C., there are homeland security issues as well. I have a lot of experience that I can bring to the table.”

In addition to providing responsive leadership, Starkey’s priorities include strong support for Stafford’s public schools and improving transportation infrastructure.

Starkey is a contingency planning expert and currently works as a senior consultant for a not-for-profit government consulting firm.

During his military career he served as a crisis action officer at the National Military Command Center coordinating critical logistics and implementing national policy.

Starkey’s community activities over the years have included serving as a military representative to a United Way campaign and as military liaison to a school district and chamber of commerce.

“In Stafford, the Board of Supervisors works closely with Quantico on community planning issues. I am well-prepared to do that,” he said.

At age 60, Starkey holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Michigan State U. and three master’s degrees (in national resource strategy, management of information systems, and logistics).

While based in Little Rock AFB, AR, Starkey commanded seven mission support squadrons and directed all contracting, engineering, communications, readiness, personnel programs, community services, and security support for a 6,128-acre base and with a $42.5 M support budget.

“Stafford Democrats are thrilled to affirm retired Col. Starkey’s candidacy for Garrisonville supervisor,” said Stafford Democratic Committee chair Alane Callander. “His qualifications are exceptional and he has a very approachable and caring personality, something that the residents of Garrisonville will appreciate in their supervisor.”

-Unedited press release