Fairfax City Council Appoints Daniel Alexander as City Manager
Published on November 18, 2025
At its Nov. 18 meeting, and following a national search, the Fairfax City Council introduced Daniel C. Alexander as the new city manager. Mr. Alexander currently serves as a deputy county executive in Prince William County, Virginia, where he has overseen a portfolio of 15 public safety and community services agencies since February 2022. His employment with Fairfax City will begin Jan. 5, 2026.
In his new role, Mr. Alexander will implement the mayor and the city council’s policies and provide management and administrative support to all city departments, offices, and agencies, overseeing a staff of more than 600 employees.
“After a wide-ranging search and careful deliberations, the city council has selected a candidate that brings a great deal of experience in local government to our city,” said City of Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read. “Mr. Alexander is a seasoned professional who understands the demands of running municipal operations and will be a steady leader for our very capable leadership team and employees. We look forward to working with him.”
Mr. Alexander has three decades of public service experience with six local government organizations. In his role as deputy county executive, Mr. Alexander has provided strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the Safe and Secure Community quadrant of Prince William County government, which encompasses five county departments and 10 liaison entities, representing more than 2,600 professionals and an annual funding base exceeding $500 million. He helped establish the Office of Community Safety to lead prevention and intervention efforts grounded in engagement, data, and systems coordination.
Prior to joining Prince William County, Mr. Alexander spent more than 18 years as an agency chief in three different jurisdictions and also served as acting assistant city manager in Cape Coral, Florida. He has led complex organizations through periods of growth, modernization, and cultural transformation. He holds both a Master of Arts in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Florida and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
“I am humbled and honored by the council’s trust and excited to serve the City of Fairfax,” Mr. Alexander said. “This is a community that enjoys great leadership, strong civic spirit, and dedicated employees. I look forward to working with the council, supporting our talented staff, and engaging openly with residents to keep our city moving forward.”
Melanie Zipp, who has served as acting city manager since November 1, will resume her regular responsibilities as assistant city manager upon Mr. Alexander’s arrival.