Planning Office

Tony currently serves as Assistant Director of Countywide Planning with Prince Willian County Government Planning Office. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture and a Masters Degree in City & Regional Planning from Morgan State University, he is primarily responsible for oversight of the Countywide Planning division which crafts zoning and land use policies such as the zoning ordinance and Comprehensive Plan.

Previous experience includes writing housing plans and small area plans as well as drafting the southeast region’s first city agriculture plan to alleviate the burden of food insecurity. Tony has also worked with grassroots organizations as well as faith-based organizations for community development resource projects such as community gardens, playground grants, and strategic planning efforts. Personal and professional interests include poetry, cooking, music, community gardens and aquaponic installations.

Reza is a Principal Planner with the Prince William County Planning Office in the Countywide Planning Division. In this role, Reza reviews Public Facility Reviews (PFR) and Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) requests as well as managing Zoning Text and Map Amendment (DPA) projects. Reza is also managing the Sustainability and Resilience CPA project.

Prior to joining Prince William County, Reza worked on a variety of architecture and urban planning projects across different scales and contexts. He holds a B.S. in Architecture, an M.S. in Landscape Architecture, and doctorates in Architecture and Environmental Science. His professional and academic work reflects a strong passion for data-driven planning, spatial analysis, urban design, and sustainable development. He has extensive academic and practical experience in adaptive planning, green infrastructure, and resilient community design.

Ahmad is a certified urban planner and member of the American Planning Association (APA) and its Virginia Chapter, recognized for his forward-thinking approach to modernizing planning practices and advancing efficient, equitable urban development. As Principal Planner in the Countywide Division of the Prince William County Planning Office, he manages the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update, one of the County’s most significant regulatory reform initiatives. In this capacity, he focuses on procedural improvement, innovation in service delivery, and aligning planning processes with evolving urban trends and community priorities.

With a career that bridges the public, private, and academic sectors, Ahmad brings a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates design, policy, and strategic planning. In his previous role as Senior Planner in the Countywide Planning Division (formerly Long-Range), he worked to refine and enhance internal planning procedures, driving greater efficiency and responsiveness in service delivery. His architectural foundation continues to inform his planning practice, allowing him to merge spatial design sensitivity with regulatory and policy insight. Earlier in his career, he managed and contributed to diverse design and planning projects, including mixed-use and residential developments, landscape and public realm designs, agro-industrial parks, as well as Strategic Development Frameworks, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of how thoughtful design translates into sustainable, functional urban environments.

Guided by a strong interest in economic development, Ahmad views planning as a means to build resilient, inclusive, and opportunity-driven communities. His authorship of the Economic Development Chapter within a provincial planning framework reflects this focus, integrating economic policy with land use and infrastructure to promote balanced regional growth. Internationally, he has worked with organizations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to secure funding for major planning initiatives and co-led a three-way academic partnership with the World Bank that advanced curriculum development in urban design and planning. As an educator, he has mentored emerging professionals and led public engagement efforts, ensuring that community perspectives shape planning and design outcomes.

A Fulbright Scholar with a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University and a Bachelors in Architectural Engineering from Kabul University, Ahmad is deeply committed to innovation, inclusivity, and evidence-based governance. He combines technical precision with a reform-oriented vision, advocating for planning systems that are transparent, data-driven, and future-ready. His career reflects not only a command of design and policy but also a determination to transform how communities plan, build, and thrive.

Aisha is a seasoned public service professional with over two decades of experience in local government operations, planning, and administrative support. Currently serving as a Senior Development Services Technician – Countywide Planning with the Prince William County Government Planning Office, Aisha plays a pivotal role in supporting countywide planning initiatives, providing expert-level customer service, and coordinating cross-departmental projects.

Her career reflects a steady progression through increasingly responsible roles, including positions in development services, real estate assessments, and planning departments across Prince William and Stafford Counties. Aisha is known for her deep knowledge of zoning regulations, land development processes, and title research, as well as her ability to manage complex administrative functions with precision and professionalism.

Aisha’s strengths lie in her ability to interpret and apply local and state regulations, maintain meticulous records, and support both internal teams and the public with clarity and care. Her background also includes experience in private sector roles, such as inside sales and real estate processing, which further enhances her communication and organizational skills.

With a reputation for reliability, attention to detail, and a collaborative spirit, Aisha continues to contribute meaningfully to the communities she serves.

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Justin is the Manager of the Cultural Resources Team within the Planning Office of Prince William County, Virginia. Prince William County is the second largest county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For the past 20 years he has served as the County Archaeologist addressing a range of cultural resources management, archaeological research and historic preservation issues. This work included review of land entitlement projects, site/subdivision plans, public facility projects, where he worked to identify archaeology and architectural sites and districts; historic viewshed and historic landscapes and work with County planners, developers and the community to document, and preserve or mitigate, impacts to significant sites. Mr. Patton also managed amendments to the County’s comprehensive plan and was part of the team that brought to the Board of County Supervisors a rewritten County Comprehensive Plan in 2022. As the County Archaeologist, he also sponsored, with the County’s Historical Commission, eight internships. Mr. Patton has conducted numerous public outreaches including tours of archaeological excavations and lectures and chaired symposiums. Mr. Patton is also a successful grant writer securing three American Battlefield Protection Program grants and three Virginia Certified Local Government Grants.

Prior to joining the Planning Office in May 2005, Justin worked as a Senior Archaeologist for URS Corporation (now AECOM) in Gaithersburg, Maryland, as an archaeologist for Parsons Corporation, as Assistant Cultural Resources Manager for Fairfax County Park Authority, and as a staff archaeologist for Engineering-Science, Inc. In these capacities, he conducted or worked on projects in the Mid-Atlantic, South, and Southwest regions of the United States, as well as international work in the Republic of Georgia. He has supervised and conducted all phases of archaeological excavation on prehistoric and historic sites and assisted in experimental archaeological lithic reduction studies. Mr. Patton has authored numerous technical studies and lectures; and conducted public outreach and educational programs.

A few of Mr. Patton's accomplishments include the 2019 Prince William County Executive Award – Leadership at All Levels, the 2019 NACo Civic Education and Public Information Achievement Award, the 2018 VACO Achievement Award, Historical Marker Storyboard; the 2018 Prince William County Executive Award – Online Comprehensive Plan Web Map; the 2005 Washington D.C. Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation and assisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, which allowed FEMA to construct temporary housing for displaced disaster victims.

Eric is the Heritage Resources Specialist/Principal Planner as part of the Cultural Resources team in the Planning Office Countywide Planning Division. Eric supports Countywide Planning efforts by reviewing Comprehensive Plan Amendments (CPAs) and Public Facility Reviews (PFRs). He also provides leadership and expertise with cultural resources planning related to the identification, evaluation, and treatment of historic resources, delineation of historic districts, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, developing and reviewing historic preservation plans, and historic district design guidelines. Mr. Griffitts serves as the staff liaison to the Architecture Review Board (ARB), an advisory board to the Board of County Supervisors that addresses the preservation of County historical and cultural resources and reviews Certificates of Appropriateness applications for the County’s historic overlay districts.

Mr. Griffitts is a passionate advocate for historic preservation and placemaking and has over 30 years of experience in cultural resources planning. He has managed cultural resources projects in 25 states, the District of Columbia, and Japan. He has primarily worked in the private sector supporting local, state, and federal agencies addressing cultural resources planning needs, which have included the preparation of historic preservation plans, National Register of Historic Places nominations, historic resources surveys, Section 106 compliance, and disaster preparedness plans for historic resources.

Mr. Griffitts has a B.A. degree in History from the College of New Jersey and holds an M.A. degree in History with a Specialization in Historic Preservation from Oklahoma State University.

Emma serves as the Cemetery Preservation Coordinator for the Prince William County Planning Office, where she oversees the development of the cemetery preservation program. Her responsibilities include reviewing and commenting on pending development project submissions and site plan review for compliance with the County’s Zoning Ordinance and advocating for the preservation of Prince William County cemeteries, as well as updating and maintaining the County’s cemetery database for both internal staff use, and public research. She also provides public support through partnerships with the Office of Historic Preservation, and by being the main point of contact for all cemetery concerns.

Before joining Prince William County, Emma spent 4 years as a public archaeologist at the Florida Public Archaeology Network where she specialized in public engagement program development, and implementation on a variety of archaeology topics including cemetery preservation. She also focused on 3D digital heritage through photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning of artifacts and sites to create an interactive digital record of Florida Archaeology.

Emma holds a Masters in Historical Archaeology from the University of West Florida and a Bachelors in Anthropology from Mercyhurst University. She is a registered professional archaeologist. She also serves as a Historical Commissioner for Stafford County and is the co-Chair of the Council of Virginia Archaeologists Cemetery Committee.

Frank is the Senior Data Systems Analyst for the Countywide Planning division of the Prince William County Planning Office.  In this role he analyzes the County’s development data to provide information, graphics, and maps for studies or potential new development.  Statistical information is also created and provided to the various Planning divisions and other agencies.  With almost two decades in the Planning Office, Frank has created or provided data for numerous projects to include the Build Out Analysis, Council of Government (COG) Statistics, improving the land use review process, and expanding the GIS capabilities of the Planning office.  For analysis, ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro is heavily used along with the building and land development databases.

Frank’s secondary role in the Planning Office is to serve as the Information Technology representative (ITR).  The ITR role ensures the smooth daily operation of all computer hardware and software applications for office staff.  Any unresolvable service issues are coordinated with the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) to quickly correct these issues.  This role also requires review and coordination of computer and software purchases, planned computer refreshes, onboarding of new employees, and the documentation of assets.

Prior to his employment at the County, Frank provided 20 years’ service in the mapping industry for ADC The Map People of Alexandria, Virginia.  Frank began his tenure as a Compiler, later becoming the Digital Mapping Supervisor to a new team of 15 and led the Cartographic division when needed.  During this time, the company migrated from the manual-age of maps to the digital-age using AutoCAD.  ADC products included state and county street atlases for the east coast, Federal and local government maps, nautical charts, and many sheet and custom maps.  Additionally, Frank has worked at Mount Vernon the home of George Washington as the estate cartographer for 4 years.

John is a Senior Business Systems Analyst in the Planning Office. John is responsible for creating visual aids, particularly map products, to support Planning Office staff as well as data analysis projects. He is also responsible for maintaining the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database and data layers relating to Planning Office initiatives, goals, and projects. John led the Planning GIS team during the County GIS SDE geodatabase update, working closely with DoIT/GTS. He also serves as the Planning Office webmaster and oversees the addition and maintenance of content and features available on Planning Office web pages. John started as a GIS Analyst in the Planning Office in 2007 with the primary function of supporting the Land Use Review division. He also redesigned many of the mapping products with a goal of “branding” maps that are created in the Planning Office. As further office support, John reworked all of the Planning Office forms and applications creating fillable PDF versions.

John has also redesigned the Historical Commission Historical Markers Guidebook and was lead on the creation and design of the online 2040 Comprehensive Plan. John worked on the Build-Out Analysis being responsible for the online design and functionality of the data, working closely with Frank Hunt to represent the data in an understandable and aesthetic manner. John has received three County Executive Awards for projects during his tenure at the Planning Office.

John graduated from the University of Kansas with BAs in History (Modern Western European concentration) and Geography (concentration in Cartography) later completing the GIS Certificate program through the Penn State World Campus. Prior to working for Prince William County, John was, and still is, a “jack-of-all-trades, master of none” working different jobs including pawn broker, screen printer, standardized testing scorer, general construction, and receiving and inventory clerk at a corrugated paper company.

John obtained the Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) certification in 2015 and maintains that certification.

Raquel serves as the Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst for the Prince William County Planning Office, where she provides GIS analysis and cartographic support across all divisions of the department. Her responsibilities include reviewing development project submissions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with geographic standards, as well as generating high-quality maps and visual materials to support public hearings and staff reports for the Planning Commission and Board of County Supervisors.

In her role, Raquel also leads spatial modeling for special projects such as impact analyses, zoning reviews, cultural resource assessments, and public engagement initiatives—leveraging her advanced geographical expertise to support informed planning decisions.

Before joining Prince William County, Raquel spent 14 years as a GIS Analyst in the environmental consulting and remediation industry across New England. During that time, she specialized in groundwater flow modeling and impact analysis for sites affected by environmental contaminants along the northern East Coast. Her experience also includes environmental surveys and extensive field data collection.

Raquel holds a Master of Science in Geography and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Anthropology. Prior to transitioning to GIS in 2010, she worked as an archaeologist, with a specialization in osteology.