Ethan H. Gardner is the Associate Director, Community and Local Government Relations for the Science and Technology Campus. He manages the university’s relationships with local elected officials in Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. He is a liaison to the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, civic associations, local businesses, and other community organizations. His work identifies opportunities for strong strategic partnerships between the university and local organizations for the SciTech Campus and the Potomac Science Center.
Before joining George Mason University, Ethan’s career included community organizing and service in the offices of state and local elected officials. Most recently, he was chief of staff to a member of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. He implemented a robust local legislative portfolio, partnered with stakeholders to accomplish land use objectives, and oversaw community outreach initiatives. He also built and sustained relationships with senior county administration leadership, Homeowners Associations, business leaders, and regional governmental bodies. He previously served as a Legislative Aide for a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing western Prince William County, where he researched legislation, developed written materials for public appearances, and liaised between constituents and state agencies.
A Prince William County native, Ethan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from James Madison University. He is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership’s Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Virginia (2024) and the National Association of Counties High Performance Leadership Academy (2023). He is a current member of the JMU Honors College’s Advisory Council. In his free time, he enjoys hiking on Virginia’s trails and playing euphonium in a community wind ensemble.