About Me 

 I am a resident of the Aquia District in Stafford County and live in Meadowbrook which is located in the Brooke section of the District, with my husband Richard, and our two boys, Shane (8) and Sean (6).    I met my husband Richard in 1995 - and before too long were married and started our family.  We chose to raise our children in the same wonderful place where Richard and his older brother, Sean Murray Egan,  were raised - and we picked up and relocated here to Stafford. 

Both of our children currently attend Stafford Elementary School and will eventually attend Stafford Middle and Brooke Point HS.  I am involved as much as time will allow - I am a PTA volunteer, and am a member of the Stafford County Schools Capitol Improvement Planning Advisory Committee.  Our family belongs to the Stafford Area Soccer Association family (I actually conjured up the courage to coach this year for the U6 kids!).  I also sit on the Stafford County Crime Solvers Board that helps raise reward funds for tips that aid our Sheriff's office in solving crimes committed in our community. 

The Stafford County Crime Solvers Board prepping the trailer for the 2009 National Night Out at Stafford Marketplace.  I'm on the ladder!

I was born and raised in Northern New Jersey in a community very similar to Stafford and relocated to Virginia in 1995 with a company I had served for 17 years. 

I put myself through 12 years of night school which included weekend classes, while working a full time job.  In 2001, I finally received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from George Washington University in Washington, DC.  It was an amazing day at graduation - not only was my graduation on the Ellipse with the White House as my backdrop, but my beautiful, (then) one-month old son Shane was there to help me celebrate all of my hard work. 

Working and attending college simultaneously provided me the opportunity to apply what I was learning directly to the job at hand.  As a government affairs professional, it required a great understanding of many important issues and an even better understanding of how the legislative process works.  I gained important experience in areas such as transportation, renewable energy, water/wastewater treatment and environmental issues - all of which affect my community today.  

While working for two successful Fortune 500 companies, my duties called for skills in identifying and managing policy challenges that required not only sound judgment, but keen analytical, communication and interpersonal skills - all of which have prepared me and have given me the experience and the skills necessary to lead our County. 

For more information on my professional career, please visit my Linkedin profile.

About My Family:

My husband Richard grew up right here in Stafford County.  He attended Stafford Middle, Stafford HS and North Stafford HS.  While in high school and college he was an EMT with Stafford Rescue 1.  He went on to attend Old Dominion University where he was a criminal justice major.  He  served in the United States Park Police (USPP) in a variety of roles for 17 years, 5 of those years as an undercover narcotics detective where he received two medals of honor.  The most notable for apprehending an armed murder suspect after he was shot in the line of duty - fortunately, he survived to see the suspect convicted and sentenced to time in federal prison.  Rich's last rank with the USPP was Lieutenant in the Shift Commander's office before moving on to become a Special Agent with the Government Accountability Office and the Inspector General's Office at the Department of Education. 

My brother-in-law, Sean M. Egan, also of Stafford County, serves at the pleasure of the Chief of Fire and EMS in the District of Columbia as a Lieutenant at DCFD Headquarters.  Sean is also a life member of Engine 2 here in Stafford. 

My father-in-law, John M. Egan, is a retired master gunnery sergeant with 30 years in the United States Marine Corp., and resides in the Hartwood District of Stafford County.

My Mother, Diana Barr, relocated to Stafford from New Jersey, and now resides in Section 2 of Aquia Harbour.

My Mother-in-Law, Janet Schroeder, along with her husband, Dale, also live here and reside in Aquia Harbour.  Janet Schroeder served at Potomac Hospital for 34 years (17 years in the Emergency Room, 5 years on RN staff and 12 years as the Director of Emergency Services).  Meema, as my boys call her, is now retired and spends her time voluteering with the Aquia Harbour rescue squad, as well as the new Stafford Hospital Center and exercising at the local Sport and Health Club.

My sister Wendy also relocated here from New Jersey and lives in Section 1 of Aquia Harbour with her husband Bill Fredericks.  They were recently married at the Country Club in Aquia Harbour. 

My sisters, Lori and Maria remain in New Jersey, along with my Dad, Ron, who has Alzheimers Disease.

Memberships and Affiliations

• Stafford County Crime Solvers Board Member
• Capitol Improvements Planning Advisory Committee Member/SCPS
• Stafford Elementary School PTA Volunteer
• Stafford Area Soccer Association Member/U6 Team Coach
• Rappahannock Swim League (Aquia Harbour Dolphins)
• Cheasapeake Bay Foundation Member
• Member of Women in Government Relations

• Sorensen Institute - University of Virginia Political Training Alum

• George Washington University Alumni Association

 Get Involved:

• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
• National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
• Tragedy Assistance Program (TAPS)
• Adopt-a-Classroom

Irene, Rich and Shane 

Rich rode in last May's National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Police Unity Tour

Stafford County Public Safety Building Stop

Click here for more election information

Career Snapshot:  Irene Egan

Director of Government Affairs - CH2M HILL Engineers - Washington, DC  (Fortune 500 Company)

• Worked with congressional committee, USACE and Agency staff on policy issues relating to water, environment, wastewater and transportation projects.
• Researched federal legislative and budgetary actions/initiatives, monitoring and analysis of legislation, reported on legislative hearings and other congressional committee actions and provided guidance on company actions. 
• Identified federal budget and federal stimulus dollars relating to local, municipal and county governments
• Prepared appropriations/earmark request packages for client projects including appropriations for water/wastewater and transportation projects
• Maintained federal and state grant database populated with current funding opportunities for public/private funding for civil infrastructure projects 

State and Local Government Relations Representative

Covanta Energy Group – Washington, DC (Fortune 500 Company)

• Developed and directed structured program strategies to address state legislative and regulatory activities affecting the energy-from-waste industry.
• Crafted written witness testimony for committee presentation on environmental and energy issues.
• Provided strategic planning, participation, and policy positioning within the Council of State Governments, National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Association of Counties.
• Created strategic community relations programs with local governmental entities to create public/private partnerships to fill unmet needs within the communites served.

Awards:

2008 - CH2M HILL Rewards & Recognition Award

2007 - CH2M HILL Rewards & Recognition Award

2005 - Marketing Excellence Award-Beazer Homes

2001 - 15 Year Service Award/Covanta

1996 - 10 Year Service Award/Covanta

1993 - Employee of the Year Award/Covanta