Brittany Jones
PR & Marketing Manager
Fairfax City Economic Development
(571) 459-8626
Brittany.Jones@fairfaxcityecondev.org
FAIRFAX CITY, VA, JULY 22, 2025 – After nearly a decade of leading Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED), Christopher Bruno will step down as CEO and Director in late August. Bruno will join New York Law School as its inaugural Chief of Economic Development Programs and Strategies and as a member of its Senior Leadership Team.
Bruno, who joined the city in early 2016, has been instrumental in building a robust economic development agency in Fairfax City known for its innovative business investment strategies, gold standard business support programming, bold placemaking efforts, and commitment to community-centered growth and investment. Under Bruno’s leadership, Fairfax City Economic Development has grown from a one-person operation into a full-service agency of twelve, transforming into a dynamic, innovative department that has positioned Fairfax City as a recognized leader in economic development at the regional and national levels.
Throughout his tenure, FCED has launched and expanded impactful programs such as Fairfax City Restaurant Week, the Façade and Interior Improvement Grant, and the Lease Incentives for Fairfax Tenants program. The agency also led major initiatives including pandemic recovery efforts, the reimagining and relocation of the Mason Enterprise Center, Fairfax City’s small business incubator, and multiple strategic commercial investments. Bruno played a central role in forging institutional partnerships—including with George Mason University both in Fairfax and in Seoul, South Korea, and John Cabot University in Rome, Italy—and guided the redevelopment of public assets and the attraction of key businesses that continue to benefit the community.
In recent years, Bruno has significantly expanded the agency’s international footprint, cultivated global partnerships, and facilitated foreign direct investment through collaborations with state and federal partners. Under his leadership, FCED helped establish and continues to support the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, contributing meaningfully to regional competitiveness and coordinated investment strategies. Today, Fairfax City Economic Development enjoys growing recognition across regional, national, and international platforms, serving as a model for small-city innovation and global engagement.
The recruitment process for the next CEO and Director of Fairfax City Economic Development will be led by the City Manager’s Office in collaboration with the Economic Development Authority (EDA) Commissioners. Additional details regarding the search and transition will be shared in the coming weeks. In the interim, Bruno will work closely with city leadership and staff to ensure continuity and sustained momentum across all programs and initiatives.
Bruno’s decision to step down follows thoughtful reflection and a desire to pursue new professional opportunities. His final day with Fairfax City Economic Development will be August 15, 2025.
About Fairfax City Economic Development
Fairfax City Economic Development is a collaboration between the Fairfax City Economic Development Department and the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority, an independent agency administered by a commission appointed by the City Council to promote economic development activity within Fairfax. Fairfax City Economic Development helps attract businesses to the city, encourages and develops programs that foster connections between businesses, residents, and visitors of Fairfax City, and spearheads innovative programs and strategies devoted to positioning Fairfax City as an ideal location to start, grow, and scale a business. It is a founding member of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance. Learn more at gofairfaxcity.com.
