Robert W. Lazaro, Jr. serves as the Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC). The Commission is a consortium of the 13 leading local governments in the region representing more than 2.5 million residents. The GDP for the region is $276 Billion (2022 dollars) which is larger than 24 states and the 48th largest economy in the world. As Executive Director Lazaro leads an award winning staff of 16 accomplished professionals. During his tenure he has stabilized the Commission’s finances, created its first rainy day fund, and invested in personnel and technology to improve the Commission’s operations. The Commission provides a wide range of services to its local government and community partners. Lazaro has a long history of public service in the community serving first as a Town Council member of the Town of Purcellville, Virginia and four terms as Mayor. Under Lazaro’s leadership the Town placed more land in conservation than any Town in Virginia. Further, during Lazaro’s tenure the Town made significant investments in its wastewater and water resources and is the smallest community in Virginia to achieve a AAA bond rating.

Responsible for oversight and implementation of the regional energy strategy as adopted by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.

Community Affairs Executive assigned to the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus a 833 bed regional medical facility in Northern Virginia. Responsible for the development and implementation of a community affairs strategy to proactively promote Inova services and programs in a service area of more than 2 million residents.

First Director of Communications for a regional not-for-profit land conservation/land use advocacy organization. Responsible for daily media relations in nine-county region, development of direct marketing materials and messaging.

Senior advisor to the Chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on policy issues and media relations. Responsible for development of communication materials including press releases, presentation materials, materials submitted for publishing by daily newspapers, speech writing and enhanced use of Internet site. Responsible for daily operations of Chairman’s Office.

Senior advisor to the Minority Leader of the Nassau County Legislature on policy issues and media relations. Responsible for all daily communications with electronic and print media (NY Times, Newsday, NY Post, Daily News) for nine members of the County Legislature. Communication efforts include issuance of press releases, development of white papers, presentation materials, and materials submitted for publishing by daily newspapers, speech writing, and enhanced use of Internet site, press conferences and production of cable television show.

Responsibility to advise County Executive, the chief elected officer of County of more than 1.3 million residents and a County budget in excess of $2 billion, in matters related to public policy and constituent communications.

Promoted to position with full responsibility for Corporate Communications and Government and Community Affairs for the busiest commuter railroad in the United States. Managed annual budget of $1.5 MM and a staff of 17.

Full responsibility for government and community affairs in New York metropolitan region. Managed professional staff of 3.