John Mason

John Mason was the mayor of the City of Fairfax from 1990 to 2002.

Mason graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a BA in history in 1956. He later attended New York University, taking a MA in political science in 1969.

Mason was a career Army officer who acheived the rank of colonel. After retiring from the Army, Mason had a second career as a vice president at SAIC from 1978 to 2008.

Mason was first elected mayor on May 1, 1990. He was the only declared candidate, defeating a write-in campaign mounted by Darryl R. Keys.

In 2005, Mason sought election to the Virginia House of Delegates as the representative from the 37th District, but was defeated by David L. Bulova.

Mason was elected interim president and CEO of the Lorton Arts Foundation in April 2011, replacing Sharon Mason.