Our Leadership
Corporate Officers
Brian Miller
President
Brian joined the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department in 2022 and is an active EMT. Outside of volunteering, he works as a product manager at a software company. Originally from Virginia Beach, Brian balances his career in tech with his dedication to public service and serving his community.
Justin Miller
Vice President
Justin Miller joined the Falls Church VFD in 2019 and has previously served as a trustee and membership coordinator.
Outside the department, Justin works as an in-house corporate tax counsel on a variety of complex financial transactions and pro bono matters. Justin earned a J.D. from The University of Virginia School of Law and a B.B.A. from the College of William and Mary. He is a lifelong resident of Arlington, Virginia and lives there with his family.
Rita Wells
Treasurer
Rita Lappin Wells joined the FCVFD in November 2019 and currently serves as the Treasurer. Originally from Illinois, she is a long-term resident of the City of Falls Church.
She is an adjunct faculty member in the Georgetown University graduate program in Supply Chain Management where she specializes in supply chain cost and financial management. She has an extensive management background in both the private and public sectors. As an industry leader executive, she managed global subcontracting operations. Her public sector experience includes career senior executive positions as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy and an Associate Administrator at the U.S. Department of Transportation. She also served as a DOD contracting officer and cost/price analyst and was a member of the faculty at the Air Force Institute of Technology and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
She has a PhD from Ohio State University, an MBA with a concentration in finance from Southern Illinois University, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois.
Richard Klein
Secretary
Richard is a Falls Church City resident who spent most of his career working at a laboratory in Washington, DC. He joined the FCVFD as an administrative member in 2018, where he managed the chaos of children’s birthday parties at the fire station—surprisingly good preparation for serving as a trustee from 2019 to 2021.
As the department’s secretary since 2019, Richard’s duties now include writing about himself in the third person. He’s a good example of the type of person you wouldn’t expect to find among firehouse heroes, and he basks in the reflected glory of the department and its dedicated staff—including a thoughtful and capable assistant secretary.
Dave Dougherty
Compliance Officer
Dave is a longtime member of the FCVFD who has served in the operational roles of lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and chief of the department. He has also served as a trustee. His role as compliance officer is to ensure that the department and its members follow internal and external policies, as well as government laws and regulations.
Operations Officers
Kelly Brown
Chief
Chief Brown joined the FCVFD in 2022, is an active EMT/Driver/AIC, and has served as Scheduling Officer, Training Officer, Lieutentant, Assistant Chief, and Trustee. Chief Brown now serves as the Department’s first female Chief.
Originally from Georgia, Chief Brown served in the U.S. Army as a Strategist and Blackhawk (UH-60) Helicopter Pilot for 26 years. A longtime Arlington County resident, after serving throughout the U.S., overseas, and in multiple combat zones, Kelly continues to serve at home.
In addition to volunteering with the FCVFD, Chief Brown also serves as the Founder and CEO of Black Alpha International, Board Chair of Allied Forces Foundation, and primary board member of the Army Aviation Association of America Scholarship Foundation, Liaison Officer Association, and Society of White House Military Aides.
Chief Brown holds a DBA from Northcentral University, MS from National Defense University, MPA from Troy University, and BS from the United States Military Academy.
Justin Miller
Lieutenant
Justin Miller joined the Falls Church VFD in 2019 and has previously served as a trustee and membership coordinator.
Outside the department, Justin works as an in-house corporate tax counsel on a variety of complex financial transactions and pro bono matters. Justin earned a J.D. from The University of Virginia School of Law and a B.B.A. from the College of William and Mary. He is a lifelong resident of Arlington, Virginia and lives there with his family.
Brian Miller
Lieutenant
Brian joined the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department in 2022 and is an active EMT. Outside of volunteering, he works as a product manager at a software company. Originally from Virginia Beach, Brian balances his career in tech with his dedication to public service and serving his community.
Board of Trustees
Brian Miller
Chair
Brian joined the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department in 2022 and is an active EMT. Outside of volunteering, he works as a product manager at a software company. Originally from Virginia Beach, Brian balances his career in tech with his dedication to public service and serving his community.
Jim O’Dowd
Trustee
Jim O’Dowd joined the Falls Church VFD in October 1986. Jim is a lifelong Northern Virginia resident.
Jim has served the Falls Church VFD as a Firefighter-EMT, EMS Lieutenant, EMS Captain, Secretary, Vice President and President.
Jim is employed by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association in Rockville, MD.
Jim lives in Falls Church City.
Julia “JJ” Elliott
Trustee
Lieutenant Julia (JJ) Elliott serves as a dedicated member of the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department, holding multiple leadership roles including Lieutenant, Trustee, and Training Officer. With over six years of experience in emergency medical services and a strong background as an EMT and Attendant in Charge, Julia brings both clinical expertise and a passion for mentorship to the department.
As a Training Officer, JJ plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of volunteers. She oversees recruit school operations, coordinates continuing education, and ensures that all members receive hands-on, scenario-based training rooted in best practices and real-world experience. Her leadership fosters a culture of accountability, preparedness, and teamwork.
In her role as a Trustee, JJ contributes to long-term planning and department governance, helping to ensure that the FCVFD remains a sustainable, community-focused organization. As a Lieutenant, she provides on-scene leadership, supporting operational readiness and serving as a role model for professionalism and compassion in emergency response.
Outside of the firehouse, JJ is continuing her commitment to care by beginning her nursing career as a labor and delivery nurse at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Her experience in emergency medicine, combined with her dedication to serving families during life’s most vulnerable moments, reflects her deep compassion and clinical skill.
JJ is proud to serve the Falls Church community and remains passionate about education, public safety, and providing excellent care in both prehospital and clinical settings.
Adriana Palacios
Trustee
Adriana joined the department in 2017 and serves as an active driver, attendant in charge, and trustee. She has served the FCVFD as a lieutenant, the department secretary, and, from 2019 to 2025, as the department’s first female president. She brings a wealth of experience in the strategic operations of the department to the board of trustees.
Adriana is also passionate about providing life safety education to the community, especially its youngest members. She understands that risk reduction begins with education and may often be found providing public instruction in area schools and daycare programs, and working with scout organizations.
Originally from Peru, Adriana lives in Falls Church City with her family. She is fluent in English, Spanish, German, and Italian.
Gabriel Spiro
Trustee
Gabriel joined the FCVFD in 2020 and is an active EMT. He serves as the deputy quartermaster, department historian, and an avid member of the public education committee.
Growing up in Montgomery County, MD, Gabriel was a member of another local volunteer fire department, where he developed a passion for public education programs. Within FCVFD, he has led many public education programs and is looking to expand the department’s reach. As the department’s historian, he enjoys telling its story and its contribution to the Falls Church community.
Don Weinberg
Trustee
Bio coming soon.
Terry Bingham
Trustee
Terry joined the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department in 2025. After retiring from a career in the U.S. Army, he is enjoying a new commitment to service and community as an EMT. Terry has served on the membership team, and is currently a driver and training officer for the department. A recent empty nester, he has found a warm welcome at Station 6 and looks forward to the future growth and development of the FCVFD.
Kelly Brown
Ex Officio Trustee
Chief Brown joined the FCVFD in 2022, is an active EMT/Driver/AIC, and has served as Scheduling Officer, Training Officer, Lieutentant, Assistant Chief, and Trustee. Chief Brown now serves as the Department’s first female Chief.
Originally from Georgia, Chief Brown served in the U.S. Army as a Strategist and Blackhawk (UH-60) Helicopter Pilot for 26 years. A longtime Arlington County resident, after serving throughout the U.S., overseas, and in multiple combat zones, Kelly continues to serve at home.
In addition to volunteering with the FCVFD, Chief Brown also serves as the Founder and CEO of Black Alpha International, Board Chair of Allied Forces Foundation, and primary board member of the Army Aviation Association of America Scholarship Foundation, Liaison Officer Association, and Society of White House Military Aides.
Chief Brown holds a DBA from Northcentral University, MS from National Defense University, MPA from Troy University, and BS from the United States Military Academy.
Justin Miller
Ex Officio Trustee
Justin Miller joined the Falls Church VFD in 2019 and has previously served as a trustee and membership coordinator.
Outside the department, Justin works as an in-house corporate tax counsel on a variety of complex financial transactions and pro bono matters. Justin earned a J.D. from The University of Virginia School of Law and a B.B.A. from the College of William and Mary. He is a lifelong resident of Arlington, Virginia and lives there with his family.
Rita Wells
Ex Officio Trustee
Rita Lappin Wells joined the FCVFD in November 2019 and currently serves as the Treasurer. Originally from Illinois, she is a long-term resident of the City of Falls Church.
She is an adjunct faculty member in the Georgetown University graduate program in Supply Chain Management where she specializes in supply chain cost and financial management. She has an extensive management background in both the private and public sectors. As an industry leader executive, she managed global subcontracting operations. Her public sector experience includes career senior executive positions as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy and an Associate Administrator at the U.S. Department of Transportation. She also served as a DOD contracting officer and cost/price analyst and was a member of the faculty at the Air Force Institute of Technology and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
She has a PhD from Ohio State University, an MBA with a concentration in finance from Southern Illinois University, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois.
Richard Klein
Ex Officio Trustee
Richard is a Falls Church City resident who spent most of his career working at a laboratory in Washington, DC. He joined the FCVFD as an administrative member in 2018, where he managed the chaos of children’s birthday parties at the fire station—surprisingly good preparation for serving as a trustee from 2019 to 2021.
As the department’s secretary since 2019, Richard’s duties now include writing about himself in the third person. He’s a good example of the type of person you wouldn’t expect to find among firehouse heroes, and he basks in the reflected glory of the department and its dedicated staff—including a thoughtful and capable assistant secretary.
