February 20, 2025

Bruce has been publisher of InsideNoVa and the weekly InsideNoVa/Prince William newspaper since it was founded in 2013. He previously was publisher of the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger (later combined into the News & Messenger). He has worked as a reporter, editor, corporate executive and publisher in Virginia journalism since graduating from Washington & Lee University in 1985.

As publisher, Bruce oversees all editorial and business operations of InsideNoVa, including marketing and sales. He also serves as chief operating officer of InsideNoVa's parent company, Rappahannock Media LLC.

I am the Assistant Chief of Police for Operations.  In this roll, I coordinate and manage all uniformed Police Officers in the 3 police districts as well as our tactical and specialty units such as Motor Unit, CRASH investigations and the SWAT team. During my 36 years with the Prince William County Police, I have held leadership roles in all areas of Uniform Police work, Criminal Investigations and Administrative functions for the Department.  I have served on many different multi-agency stakeholder groups organized in the County.  Most recently; I work with Deputy County Executive Elijah Johnson with the County’s panhandling response team.

Dr. Tauheeda Yasin serves as Acting Director in Prince William County’s Office of Community Safety, where she focuses on systems improvement, resident engagement, and developing policies that enhance safety and well-being through evidence-based approaches. She works closely with county agencies and community members to identify needs and implement strategic initiatives that improve processes and life outcomes.

In addition to her county leadership role, Dr. Tauheeda Yasin is an Affiliate Faculty Member at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, where she leads the Legal Systems and Policy Lab. Her research focuses on lawmaking and the development of evidence-based policymaking tools. As part of her commitment to civic engagement, she designs and leads datathons that bring together students and community members to create accessible datasets and tools that inform policy and decision-making.

Through her work in both academia and government, Dr. Yasin is committed to bridging research and practice, ensuring that local policies are informed by data, community insights, and best practices in governance.

Prince William County is pleased to announce the appointment of Phyllis Jennings-Holt as the new director of the Department of Social Services, following an extensive national recruitment process. The appointment is effective immediately.  

Jennings-Holt has served Prince William County residents in various roles in the Department of Social Services, or DSS, since September 1992. She was a social worker, case manager and assistant director of protective services. Most recently she served as the deputy director until becoming the acting director in June 2024.  

DSS provides safety-net services for children and adults in the county facing abuse, neglect, family instability, homelessness, financial insecurity, underemployment and/or health crises with no insurance. DSS works to provide proactive services that prevent family instability, housing loss and impending crisis. Last year, the department served more than 200,000 residents. As the DSS Director, Jennings-Holt will oversee a team of more than 420 employees and several programs, to include adult protective services, child protective services, foster care, homeless services, public assistance eligibility and the Child Advocacy Center.  

Jennings-Holt was selected after a thorough recruitment process that included input from the Social Services Advisory Board and listening sessions with DSS staff. 

"I am delighted that Ms. Jennings-Holt will be the county’s next Social Services Director. She has dedicated her career to serving the people of Prince William County," said County Executive Chris Shorter. "She has extensive knowledge of the community and tremendous experience in leadership and the human services sector. I am confident that she will continue the work we are doing to provide human-centered and customer-centric service to all of those we serve." 

"I am grateful for the opportunity and the confidence of the Board of County Supervisors and Executive Management," said Jennings-Holt. "I have spent the large majority of my career in Prince William County and have had the opportunity to work with the amazing staff in DSS. I am excited and honored to lead the department in creating the future and enhancing the services we provide to our community." 

Jennings-Holt holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hampton University, as well as a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University. 

Kathy Schuster is the Outreach coordinator for HUGS (Help Us Grow Strong). HUGS is a 501c3 non-profit, all volunteer organization. This position encompasses communicating with individuals and groups interested in learning and/or assisting our unsheltered folks in the Woodbridge areas. She also manages weekly meals provided by volunteers and the distribution of donations, seasonal clothing, hygiene supplies, and non-perishable food items, etc. She and her husband, Ed joined HUGS in Aug 2015. In all of this activity, she is majorly assisted by a core group of dedicated volunteers who join her each week in getting this work done. Another important accomplishment of the weekly gathering is the relationship building that assists in the self-worth of Unsheltered folks. Since Covid, HUGS is also providing support to several families in need. She joined the U.S Army in 1976 and worked as a Personal Management Sergeant, and retired 1997, and then worked as a Senior Management Analyst and retired from the federal Government in 2018.