PLP 08 Profile: Kala Quintana

Name: Kala Leggett Quintana
Age: 36
Born: Born in St. Louis, MO (but never lived there); Grew up as a citizen of the world, mostly in Germany (Stuttgart, Augsburg and Heidelberg); Lived in Fairfax County since 1981.
Current Digs: Live in Burke (Burke Centre) in Fairfax County; Work in Arlington.
Occupation: Director of Public Outreach for the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and the acting Public Information Officer for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA).
Favorite part about the job: Transportation is such a complex and integral issue in Northern Virginia and the commonwealth.  I love working with Northern Virginia's local elected officials! They are truly the most dedicated and inspiring people I have ever known. I like the fact that I get to do a lot of different things including working with the media, residents, local staff, and to a degree helping to shape the future of transportation policy.  I really feel like I am making a difference.  
Your first job ever?  When I was  eleven years old I started my own little company called "I Walk Dogs, Inc." – OK, so it wasn't a real company per se but my parents humored me and let me get business cards printed up so that I could appear more professional to my customers.  I even had a logo!  People would leave me the keys to their homes and while they were gone on vacation I would pick up their mail, walk, play with and feed their pets, and water their plants—all for a charge of course!  I think I charged $3 to $5 a day depending on the number of pets. I actually made quite a nice little chunk of change up until High School.
Favorite book?  Don't laugh -- but -- any of the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling.
Favorite movie?  It's a tie between Out of Africa and Casablanca.  Every time I watch Out of Africa I see another nuance that I missed the other 153+ times I watched it previously. Casablanca on the other hand is a classic. I thoroughly enjoy the one-liners and the humor which always seems ahead of its time considering how stuffy the actors were in the movies of that era.   
Comfort food? Mashed potatoes or hot, fresh Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (depending on my mood).
What's in your car CD player right now? Andrea Boccelli; Nickelback; Rob Thomas; KT Tunstall; Bob Marley; and Nina Simone. 
Next journey?   I'm a travel nut.  I always need at least three trips planned in advance or I can't sleep at night.  So the next trip is to Prague, Czech Republic where my husband Andy and I are spending 10 days to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.  In December, 2008 we're headed to St. Vincent in the Grenadines; and in June, 2009 we're headed back to our favorite haunt: St. John, USVI (eight visits and counting).  
Favorite Virginia vacation spot?  For pampering: Keswick Hall in Charlottesville; For roughing it: camping at Shenandoah National Park; For day trips: Warren County/Front Royal/Leesburg/Middleburg areas to visit local Virginia wineries—we're big fans of Oasis, Barboursville and Three Fox vineyards!    
First political memory? My first international political memory was seeing the border between Germany and Czechoslovakia in the early 1970's. I remember seeing the fences, barbed wire and guards with guns and wondering why they were trying to keep people from leaving.  My first domestic political memory was the 1980 presidential election and thinking Ronald Reagan should win instead of Jimmy Carter—no reason, I was ten and just liked the way he looked and sounded—you know, the same way a lot of voters make their decisions about Presidential candidates these days.   
Whom do you admire and why? Robert F. Kennedy. When I ponder his life's journey, I can't help but reflect upon the times in which he lived – the turbulent 1960's with its racial and social dissonance; the violent loss of his older brother; his efforts to raise his own family; and his attempt to lead a nation toward healing. Kennedy was not necessarily an introspective person but was most insightful during the moments he devoted to other people  He held politics and public service in high esteem and sought to inspire others to the pursuit of politics and service in what he called the "most noble of professions. "  I often find myself re-reading his speeches and am at the same time reassured and alarmed that many of the same issues he addressed then still remain a challenge despite the year on the calendar or the wealth of our nation and its people.      
Best advice you ever got?  You can always make more money, but you can't make more time.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Madeline Albright.  I think she's a fascinating individual.  I saw her interviewed by Ashley Judd on the Sundance Channel's "Iconoclasts" and I was amazed by her life story and how she successfully managed her role as the first female U.S. Secretary of State.
Describe a perfect day.  Wake up in a villa in Chocolate Hole on St. John (USVI).  Pack up the snorkel gear, hop in the jeep and head to Salt Pond bay for snorkeling with Nurse sharks and Hawksbill turtles and some beach time.  At lunch time we head to Skinny Legs for what is arguably the best burger in the USVI and hang out with the locals.  After lunch we head back to the villa and relax in the pool or a hammock for the rest of the day.  When it starts to get dark, we head to Cruz Bay for dinner at a restaurant called Asolare for some Asian fusion cuisine and watch the lights on St. Thomas twinkle in the distance.  After dinner we head back to the villa, sit on the deck and watch the stars in the sky. Repeat.   
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I was Miss Springfield for Junior Miss and Miss Springfield for the Miss Northern Virginia pageant -- the preliminary competition for Miss Virginia and Miss America.
Ambition, political or otherwise?  I am open to all opportunities that will allow me to use my talents and abilities in service to my community, the commonwealth or my country.