Family, Career & More
Patrick Harders grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, where he took on his first job at just 10 years old. That early drive fueled his work through high school and college, ultimately earning a Finance degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. While completing his final years at UNCC, Patrick began designing landscape lighting systems at night, and it changed the course of his career and life. He fell in love with the artistry and emotion behind great lighting and never looked back.
Career
In 2001, Patrick moved to Manassas, Virginia, to launch his own lighting design business. In 2005, he married Laura Fimiani, a lifelong Fairfax County, Virginia resident. Together, they made Prince William County home, raising two children, while building a business known for design excellence and customer service. Patrick’s desire to offer his clients the best lighting products drove him to look far and wide for quality solutions. When he couldn’t find what he wanted, products that combined durability, performance, and installer-friendly design, he decided to build them himself. In 2011, he partnered with Damien Sanchez to co-found Sterling Lighting, a professional lighting manufacturer based in Danville, Virginia. Today, Sterling Lighting serves professionals across North America and is expanding its American-made product line, with a clear mission: to elevate the outdoor lighting industry. Patrick also serves as President of Dayloom, a high-end design and installation firm servicing the greater Washington, D.C. area, specializing in premium outdoor lighting and audio.
Patrick is one of only a handful of landscape lighting professionals in the country to earn the Lighting Certified (LC) credential from the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP), the highest accreditation in lighting. With over 25 years of experience, more than 10,000 lighting systems designed, and 11 national and international design awards, Patrick has earned recognition for both his craftsmanship and leadership, especially his award-winning and pro bono lighting design for the Willing Warriors Retreat at Bull Run, supporting wounded veterans.
Charity Initiatives
Through Sterling Lighting, Patrick has helped fund two orphanages in India, a reflection of his belief that business should be a vehicle for doing good. He has also served on the board of a private school in Fairfax County and the board of the International Landscape Lighting Institute (ILLI), mentoring the next generation of lighting professionals. Outside the lighting industry, Patrick and Laura have been vocal advocates for government accountability in their local community. They spoke out against corruption in Gainesville before the Board of County Supervisors, worked to expose misuse of power, and helped lead grassroots efforts to remove public officials they believed had broken the public trust. That same conviction—grounded in service, integrity, and action—guides Patrick’s steps as he runs for Gainesville Supervisor.
Ready to serve the Gainesville District
Inspired by the late and Honorable Bob Weir’s legacy of accountability and integrity, Harders aims to carry Bob’s vision forward to ensure that Gainesville District citizens continue to have a strong voice in local government and in the fight against data center overdevelopment. “Bob Weir was not only a trusted friend, but a rare leader of exceptional intelligence and unwavering honor. His slogan, ‘accountability and integrity matter, ‘ wasn’t simply campaign rhetoric—it was his way of life, ” said Harders. “Bob stepped up when our neighbors felt voiceless, and I’m committed to continue his fight for the Gainesville community. “
Trusted Voices in the community
Featured Endorsements
"On behalf of the Prince William County Police Association, it is our honor to endorse Patrick Harders as a candidate for the Gainesville District Board of County Supervisors seat. We believe your commitment to public safety and community values aligns with the priorities of our members and the residents we serve. Your willingness to engage with law enforcement and support those who protect our community is greatly appreciated. We are confident that your service on the Board will reflect the professionalism, integrity, and dedication that our community deserves. We wish you continued success in your campaign and look forward to working with you in the future."
"American Veterans Vote Action is pleased to announce our support for Patrick Harders, Republican Candidate in the Special Election to replace Supervisor Bob Weir as part of the General election in Prince William County on November 4, 2025. Patrick has demonstrated American values and support for Veterans in his private and business life. AVV ACTION is confident he will represent Veterans and their values on the Prince William Board of Supervisors. We encourage Gainesville Veterans to support his candidacy."
"On behalf of the REALTOR® Association of Prince William (PWAR), thank you for offering your time and leadership by seeking elected office on behalf of our community. Congratulations, our Board of Directors has officially voted to endorse your candidacy in the upcoming election and will be contributing to your campaign."
"Patrick has shown unrelenting commitment to protect residential quality of life and property values for the Gainesville District and all of Prince William County. There are few such courageous individuals willing to step up to genuinely serve the public interest. The HOA Roundtable of Northern Virginia is PROUD to endorse him!"
"As the wife of the late Bob Weir, who had the privilege of serving as Supervisor for the Gainesville District, I've seen firsthand the dedication and integrity that the job demands. My husband cared deeply for this community, and he believed in serving with honesty, fairness, and heart. It's from that perspective that I want to thank and endorse Patrick Harders. Patrick has demonstrated the same values I deeply respected in my lates husband. He is committed to public service, genuinely cares for the people he serves, and has an unwavering drive to do what is right, even when it's not the easiest path. He listens, he shows up, and he makes decisions with the best interest of our community in mind, not for personal gain, but because he truly cares. I know my husband would have been proud to see someone like Patrick in this role, someone who values people over politics and results over recognition. Patrick has earned my respect, and I believe he's the right person to continue guiding our district forward. Thank you to Patrick for all he has done and continues to do. Our community is better because of his service."
"I’m proud to endorse Patrick Harders for Gainesville Supervisor. For years, Patrick has shown a deep commitment to protecting our community, preserving the Prince William Rural Crescent, and safeguarding the integrity of our shared water resources, just as I work to protect the Occoquan Watershed in Fairfax County. Patrick doesn’t just talk about bipartisan cooperation—he lives it. He has consistently worked across party lines, rooted in conservative values, to advocate for common sense policies that benefit the people, not political agendas. Fairfax and Prince William counties must work together to protect our environment and drinking water. I have no doubt that Patrick will be a strong and principled partner in that effort. I fully support his candidacy and look forward to working with him to serve our region."
"As a long-time resident of the Gainesville District and a strong conservative, Patrick Harders is the clear choice to carry on the legacy of the late Supervisor Bob Weir. Patrick is committed to the principles that matter most to Republican voters—fiscal discipline, government transparency, and respect for the voice of taxpayers. He understands that families want high-quality education rooted in academic excellence—not political agendas. Patrick will be a steadfast ally with me as your Gainesville School Board representative in ensuring our schools focus on core skills that prepare our kids for the future, while keeping education policy grounded in common sense. With Patrick on the Board of County Supervisors, Gainesville will have a leader who defends conservative values, stands firm against runaway government spending, and puts our community—not special interests—first. I’m proud to support Patrick and look forward to serving the Gainesville District with him."
"After twenty years in public service, sixteen of them as Scott District Supervisor in Fauquier County, I can tell you that an intimate knowledge of your district and its residents is elemental to effective public service. The required institutional knowledge can only be gained by engagement in issues and developing relationships with those who share an understanding and concern for the community. Working with leaders like Jeanine Lawson and Bob Weir, I was the beneficiary of their experience and willingness to work through the difficult issues that our communities share. Now, with a history of commitment to the Gainesville community, Patrick Harders is stepping up to fill this role at a crucial moment and based on my knowledge of the demands and requirements, I strongly encourage the citizens of Gainesville to support Patrick as I know he will support you in a true spirit of service."
"I am pleased to endorse Patrick Harders as the GOP candidate for Gainesville District Supervisor. Pat is a small business owner and has been active in our District as a champion for common sense development. He has a beautiful family and is a thoughtful and smart advocate for the values I hold dear. He and I consider Bob Weir a friend and we mourn his passing. Please take time to vote for him in the Special election for Supervisor!"
“As a long time resident of the District, Patrick knows the voters of Gainesville, and we know him. He is the candidate who actually worked with and supported Bob, shared his vision for protecting residential communities, the environment, National and State Parks, and historic sites from industrial data center sprawl. I strongly endorse Patrick Harders for Gainesville District Supervisor.”
“I fully support Patrick in his campaign for the Gainesville Supervisor seat. Patrick is an outstanding leader who will serve our district well.”
"I support Patrick Harders because he has fought for the Gainesville District. He has a vested interest in seeing it succeed because of his roots. When a storm comes, a tree with deep roots can face the moment unlike a sapling that may get pushed around as the wind blows. Men with deep roots stand tall like the trees in our community. Gainesville residents have pulled together time after time to protect our special district from outsiders who see an opportunity to change it. Our roots give us our identity."
"To whom do we trust our most precious possessions - our homes and families - and our future? I trust our neighbor and longtime Gainesville resident Patrick Harders, someone we've known for well over 20 years, who has been with us side by side speaking out against numerous assaults on our community, and whose own future, like ours, is invested in Gainesville. It's a clear choice which candidate will fight for our homes and families and future. Vote HARDERS this election. I am."
"I am enthusiastically endorsing Patrick Harders for Gainesville District Supervisor in the upcoming November Election. I have had the opportunity to watch Patrick advocate consistently for the Rural Crescent, and against corruption in local government since I unwillingly became active in the fight against data center sprawl myself about 5 years ago. It was obvious to me, a newby, that he and his wife Laura were seasoned data center warriors: BOCS meetings, bus trips to Richmond, attendance at non-partisan community events and rallies- all were opportunities to listen and understand his position on local politics. This BOCS position is not a stepping stone political job for him- it is his way of giving back to a community he lives in and loves in the rare tradition of Public Service. He is a local landowner, committed to preserve quality of life in the Rural Crescent. I believe he will protect our water, our National and State parks, and our electrical grid, and not sell out to corporate interests for personal gain. No data center kool-aid for him. I will be voting a split ticket this election and supporting Patrick Harders for Gainesville District Supervisor."
"I am an over 63-year resident of NOVA included with over 22 years in the Gainesville District. In my over 3 years of comment time at the Board of Supervisors, I had the pleasure of listening to Mr. Patrick Harders give his eloquent address about the PWC Digital Gateway. It was inspirational. I have seen Patrick during those 3 years and would highly endorse him as the next Gainesville District Supervisor. The position of Gainesville District Supervisor must make decisions for all citizens of the Gainesville District and PWC. I thank Mr. Patrick Harders for stepping forward in this position and I would highly recommend and endorse him as the next Gainesville District Supervisor."
“Patrick is the best candidate to carry on Bob Weir's vision of transparency, integrity, and fiscal responsibility. He will implement sound land use decisions to protect all Gainesville District residents. Unlike other candidates, he has been actively in the forefront fighting for the community on various issues for years.”
“This election isn’t just about filling a seat, it’s about continuing the kind of leadership that represents all of us. I’ve lived in the Gainesville District, on the Manassas side, for over 15 years, serving on advisory boards, working with nonprofits and local agencies. That experience has kept me closely connected with the people, organizations, and issues that shape our community. During Bob Weir’s time as Supervisor, our side of the district finally had strong, engaged representation. Patrick Harders understands the importance of continuing that same level of commitment and presence because he has been committed and present in his community all across the Gainesville District. Patrick is a longtime resident, local business owner, and father who understands this district, our values, our challenges, and the importance of listening. He knows how to protect our rural areas while supporting progress that makes sense. He isn’t here to play politics, he’s here to do the real work. If you care about protecting our community while planning responsibly for the future, vote for Patrick Harders.”
"I have met Patrick Harders many times during Prince William County Board of County Supervisor meetings. Both Patrick and I spoke against the PW Digital Gateway project and other data center projects. These data centers are destroying western Prince William County! Never once did I see George Stewart speak against PW Digital Gateway at a supervisor meeting, a press conference, or any other event. IF there ever is another vote on PW Digital Gateway, we know Patrick Harders would vote NO, just like our former supervisor, Bob Weir, would have! For George Stewart, he might rather vote like his friend Supervisor Andrea Bailey. To the best of my knowledge, Andrea voted in favor of every data center project in western PWC - every project, including PW Digital Gateway! You do not have to be a Democrat, Republican, or Independent to know the right way to vote. A vote for Patrick Harders is a safe vote against PW Digital Gateway!"