Ian's Story
A long time Virginia resident - Ian is a husband, former City Council member, small business leader and entrepreneur who has a long track record of working with community advocates and public servants to get things done.
Ian was born to a working class family in rural West Virginia where he learned the value of family, hard work and community. The son of a diesel mechanic and small business owner - Ian knows the struggles many Virginia families face while trying to make ends meet building a better future for their children- Ian witnessed these struggles and sacrifices first hand growing up. One of the first members of his family to attended college, Ian worked his way through school as a camp counselor and youth mentor- invaluable experiences that helped shape his life forever.
Ian chose to make Northern Virginia his home and immediately began working in the community. Over the years Ian has served in many volunteer positions including as President of the Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation, Board Member at the Caton Merchant House, Member of Friends of SERVE and Chairman of the Tri-County Walk to End Alzheimers - helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in honor of his Grandfather- Clennie Lovejoy
Ian's work has been recognized by being named to Prince William County's 40-Under-40, by being named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International and by being elected to two terms on the Manassas City Council.
Education and Work
Ian graduated summa cum laude from Concord University. He was named Concord's first Rhodes Scholar nominee before attending graduate school at Virginia Tech (go hokies). There he earned his master's degree in Sociology with an emphasis on demography, survey design and data analysis.
After teaching at Radford University Ian joined the private sector in several positions of organizational leadership. Ian served as Director of Operations of a leading national medical equipment supplier. Later Ian managed one of our area's largest employers - Home Instead Senior Care - a home care company that serves the in-home needs of our region's seniors.
Recognizing the need to connect quality employees with good paying jobs- Ian founded Reliant Hiring Solutions - a national recruitment firm that specializes in live-hire events for a wide variety of industries- including law enforcement, healthcare and Veteran's placement.
Ian has helped coordinate hundreds of hiring events, helping thousands of job seekers find work. Reliant was recognized for its service to the community as a Small Business of the Year Nominee in 2020.
A long time supporter of the arts, Ian also helps manage The Lovejoy Gallery on Main with his wife, Nancy.
Public Service
In 2012 - at just 29 years old - Ian was elected to the Manassas City Council as the youngest member in modern history. During his tenure, Ian was a strong advocate for citizen engagement, fighting over development, lower taxes, affordability, transportation solutions and economic growth. Ian supported policies that brought thousands of jobs to the region and provided millions of dollars in support to families and businesses during COVID-19 and improved traffic in the region.
During Ian's time as Chairman of the Manassas City Economic Development Committee- the city secured Virginia's largest economic development project - over 3 billion dollars - which helped bring thousands of jobs to the region.
Ian has served on countless boards and commissions and as member and benefactor to many of the region's leading community service organizations.
Past and present Boards, Committees, Appointments and Awards:
Past President/Board Member, Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation
Board of Directors, Caton Merchant House
Paul Harris Fellow, Manassas Rotary
Board Member, Omniride/PRTC
Alternate, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
Benefactor, CASA
Benefactor, ACTS
Benefactor, Carried to Full Term
Chairman, Manassas City Economic Development & Land Use Committee
Chairman, Manassas City Council Finance Committee
Chairman, Manassas City Council Personnel Committee
Member, Manassas City Council Legislative Committee
Council Liaison, Manassas City Utility Commission
Council Liaison, Manassas Regional Airport Commission
Council Liaison, Historic Resources Board
Walk Committee Chairman, Tri-County Walk to End Alzheimer's
Director, HISC Gives Back Philanthropy Endowment
Board Member, City of Manassas Family Services
Attend, Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church
Member, Friends of SERVE
Vice President, Point of Woods HOA
Mentor, Virginia Tech Upward Bound
Member, Manassas Architectural Review Board
