Powhatan District reveals 2022 Honorees

Herndon, VA – Businessman, local leader and media commentator Raul “Danny” Vargas of Herndon, VA has been named the 2022 Northwest Fairfax Distinguished Citizen for his long record of contributions to the broad community. Vargas will be honored for his inspiring efforts by the Powhatan District of the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, at a community event October 19 at the River Bend Golf and Country Club in Great Falls, VA.

Vargas founded Fairfax-based VARCom Solutions, a nationally recognized marketing and public relations firm, in 2004 and currently serves as its president. He has also had executive roles at AOL, France Telecom and Global One.

An Air Force intelligence veteran, Vargas is the founder and chairman of the American Latino Veterans Association, which aims to enhance the welfare of Latino veterans and to promote understanding of their historical contributions to America’s defense. Vargas is also Chairman Emeritus of the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino, a group whose advocacy to establish a national museum celebrating American Latinos saw success in late 2020 with congressional passage and presidential approval of the authorizing legislation.

Locally, Vargas currently chairs the Virginia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He has previously chaired the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Board of Workforce Development, and Leadership Fairfax. He has also served on boards of various non-profit organizations in Northern Virginia.

“Danny’s record of service at both the regional and national levels is one that all of our local Scouts can aspire to,” remarked Roland Taylor, Powhatan District BSA Chair. “We are pleased to honor him and celebrate the values he shares with Scouting – citizenship, servant leadership and action.”
Vargas has been recognized regionally for his service and achievements. His honors include:
• Washingtonian Magazine, 2022 “Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People”
• Latino Leaders Magazine, 2021 and 2020 “101 Most Influential Latinos in the U.S.”
Vargas has appeared as a commentator on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Univision, and Telemundo.

Since 2018, the Powhatan District of the National Capital Area Council has recognized a local resident with the Distinguished Citizen Award, saluting a local volunteer who shares Scouting’s values and serves as a role model for youth in the community. Previous honorees include:
• Lisa Lombardozzi, President of the LINK Food Pantry and Administrator of the Northern Virginia Baseball League
• Bob Korzeniewski, a retired business executive with SAIC, Verisign and Network Solutions;
• Fred Baerenz, President and CEO of AOG Wealth Management; and
• James Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence

This year, for the first time, the Powhatan District is also presenting a Northwest Fairfax Distinguished Organization Award to the Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston for their ongoing commitment to fostering the ideal of service to the local community. The club works to improve communities through efforts such as food drives, environmental clean-ups, literacy programs and youth leadership training.
The October 19 awards ceremony will bring together civic-minded individuals and business leaders from throughout the region in an event that recognizes and celebrates the importance of Scouting in guiding and developing today’s youth. This year’s event will be the fifth annual event recognizing distinguished leaders in the Western Fairfax community.

Individual tickets and a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. For information contact Powhatan District Director Todd Bolick at Todd.Bolick@Scouting.org.

Organized in 1911, the National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) delivers the promise of Scouting to youth in the Washington, D.C., metro area, including 16 counties in Maryland and Virginia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. citizens abroad in North and South America. The NCAC’s programs train the next generation of leaders; give back to the community through service; and teach young people to “be prepared” for life, adventure, and education.

About VARCom Solutions: 

VARCom Solutions is an award-winning, nationally recognized, full-service marketing communications, public relations and professional services firm based in the Washington D.C. region.  VARCom’s broad range of services to public, private and nonprofit clients include strategic communications, PR and outreach services, DE&I, training, and technology solutions.  VARCom Solutions is a Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Business.  For more information on VARCom visit https://www.varcom.com/ or follow us on our social media channels @varcomsolutions