Before Chris Bruno became Fairfax City’s economic development director in 2016, he was assistant general counsel at the New York City Department of Small Business Services. And now, after nine years with Fairfax, he’s returning to New York.

But this time, he’ll join New York Law School’s senior leadership team as its first-ever Chief of Economic Development Programs and Strategies. His last day here is Aug. 18.

So why now? “It’s just time,” he said during an interview last week. “When I began working here, my goal was to create an economic-development framework that wasn’t dependent on any one individual, and that’s what we’ve done. We’ve got a strategic plan and the best and most creative staff. 

“When I started, it was just me,” said Bruno. “Now there are 12 people total, split between the Economic Development Authority and the Economic Development Department, both under the Fairfax City Economic Development [FCED] umbrella.”

Indeed, he and his team have been instrumental in building a vibrant, economic-development climate in Fairfax City. Under his guidance, the City’s become known as a place that welcomes new businesses and supports both them and existing ones. 

“I wanted to strengthen the tax base and diversify the City’s business community while elevating Fairfax’s brand as the best place for people to invest,” explained Bruno. “And I truly believe we’re the best location for economic development in Northern Virginia. We’re centrally located, have an incredible quality of life for both businesses and residents, have lower barriers of entry to our market and it’s easier to find space to rent here than in other Northern Virginia areas.”

But most of all, he said, “We’ve formed an ecosystem through strategy that’s hungry for the expansion and addition of businesses. We’ve developed programs that support technology, life sciences and entrepreneurship, and we’ve positioned ourselves as a city that looks for innovation in the business community. We do that through thoughtful and strategic partnerships with public partners and academic institutions.”

Bruno listed his biggest achievements in Fairfax as follows:

* “We leveraged publicly owned property for the development of businesses like Drapers [Steak & Seafood] at no expense to the taxpayers.

* “We partnered with the City’s largest employer, Zeta Associates, a science and technology-development firm, on a retention project to keep them in the City for 10 years. We provided some funds to them to modernize their space.

* “We launched Northern Virginia’s most impactful Restaurant Week program. And in doing so, I believe we’ve raised Fairfax City’s status as an international dining destination within Northern Virginia.

* “I’m also particularly proud that the City’s brand has attained not only regional, but national and international recognition. We’ve sparked business-investment interest from Europe via our partnership with John Cabot University in Rome and George Mason University’s partnership in Seoul, South Korea. We’re also a founding member of the [10-jurisdiction] Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, which draws nationwide notice to the area.

* “During the pandemic, we did recovery work connecting City businesses with emergency funds, resources and programs to help them stay in business.

* “And what I believe is truly my biggest accomplishment here is building a world-class staff that’s allowed us to be recognized by our peers across the country as a top-level economic-development agency. We have a very diverse group of employees, both in terms of gender and culture. The perspective they bring has shaped our programs for the better and allows us to connect more deeply with our business community.”

During Bruno’s tenure, FCED initiated several programs to support the City’s businesses, including the Façade and Interior Improvement Grant, the Lease Incentives for Fairfax Tenants program, and the reimagining and relocation of Fairfax City’s small business incubator, the Mason Enterprise Center. 

Along the way, Bruno himself has also been acknowledged nationally for his work here. In January 2023, he was a recipient of the 2023 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award. Given to rising stars under 40 years old in the economic-development industry, it’s based on their strong leadership, commitment and innovation in the workplace. 

It’s no surprise then that he’ll be sorely missed.

“Chris has left an indelible imprint on this city in ways both large and small,” said Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read. “He poured himself into creating a talented team, a work culture that fosters creativity, and a focus on telling this City’s story as an engine of business growth and success. He’s a trusted partner to the many people with whom he has worked for nearly a decade. We’re grateful for his service and wish him well in his new position.” 

And while Bruno won’t miss all the late-night City Council meetings, he has mixed feelings about his departure and says it’ll be bittersweet. “I’m sad to be leaving a City like Fairfax, and this team, in particular,” said Bruno. “Although I’m relieved the work will go on. You have to keep investing in the City or you fall behind. I love Fairfax City, FCED and the portfolio of work we’ve grown. But I also realize it’s in a good place for someone else to continue to make it grow – and do it even better.”

He’s also looking forward to his next chapter. Bruno said his new job with New York Law School (NYLS) will allow him “to continue working in economic development at an extremely innovative and dynamic organization that’s deeply connected to New York City government and economic development.

“I have a law degree from this university. After graduating, I worked as an assistant general counsel for the New York City Department of Small Business Services. And my legal training helped me navigate a lot of the work we’ve done in Fairfax City.”

Actually, since the pandemic, he’s been a Senior Fellow for Law and Leadership at New York Law School. “I designed the Tribeca Pandemic Recovery Task Force guiding the creation of a merchants association in that neighborhood,” Bruno said. “I also worked with students seeking virtual law-firm internships during the summer.”

He stayed in touch with the school’s dean/president over the years and, said Bruno, “He told me he wanted [NYLS] to play a larger role in supporting the economic health of Lower Manhattan. The school has a great ability to leverage multiple resources to do this, but he needed someone to spearhead all this, and he asked me.” 

As for Fairfax, said Bruno, “The people here in the City are incredible. This has been the opportunity of a lifetime, and I’ll always look back on it with extreme fondness and gratitude toward everyone with whom I’ve come into contact. The work is exciting here; the City is on the precipice of doing some great things for economic development and is extremely well-positioned for the future and for future development.”