Leaders in Stormwater: KARLEE COPELAND

This LEADER IN STORMWATER spearheaded the development of the Fairfax County Stormwater Management (SWM) Program - Karlee Copeland, Chief, Stormwater Facilities Branch, Maintenance & SWM Division, Fairfax County DPW and Environmental Services.

Karlee has always been drawn to nature having grown up on land situated against a sizable pond in Montgomery, AL; and spending weekends with her family at the lake and amongst the vast expanse of her grandparents’ 1,300ac property surrounded by towering trees and lush grasses where she hunted, rode horses, and bonded with her dogs. Her love for the environment was further inspired by her father - an outdoorsman who embraced the open air with an unyielding energy and built many successful companies with an unwavering work ethic - leaving a legacy that Karlee carries with her.

Early on, Karlee joined the U.S. Coast Guard, gaining firsthand experience inspecting oil and HAZMAT transfers and recognizing the crucial balance between commerce and environmental protection. Once discharged, she pursued an environmental science degree at Auburn University; and upon graduation in 2006, joined Fairfax County Government as a consultant in the SWM field where she witnessed its evolution both organically and through technological enhancements. She says, “The transition from traditional hard infrastructure to innovative, nature-based solutions represents a significant shift in our approach to SWM challenges. By blending [the two], we're not only enhancing its effectiveness but also promoting sustainability - mimicking natural processes to absorb, filter, and store stormwater runoff thereby mitigating flooding, reducing pollution, and ultimately improving the ecosystem and the community.”

Karlee was hired by the County to grow their operations and maintenance (O&M) program. Today, she has the privilege of leading the very program she played a pivotal role in establishing, aligning it with emerging best practices and industry standards. Her days include inspections/maintenance; capital improvement projects; and asset inventory management where she's excited about an overhaul on the horizon that will improve cataloging, tailor inspections/maintenance, integrate technology and data analytics, and implement predictive lifecycle planning. She explains, “We're on the brink of transforming the way we make decisions; a transition that optimizes SWM infrastructure resilience.” Karlee is proud to have shaped the trajectory of this program and driven positive change in the SWM field. She says, “It's rewarding to know that we're contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.”

Karlee is also a founding partner and council member of the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program. Her most important role, however, is being a mom to two energetic boys and two pups with whom she and her boyfriend enjoy traveling with, tracking their destinations and enjoying the beautiful surroundings that each pitstop brings.