WCDS - Key Persons
Alex Shafran is a proud 2008 graduate of Wakefield Country Day School, which he attended from kindergarten through 12th grade. He then graduated from the University of Richmond, studying Mathematical Economics and Computer Science. Alex has spent the majority of his professional career with WillowTree, a mobile app development startup in Charlottesville, VA, which was originally founded by another WCDS alumnus (Tobias Dengel). Alex joined WillowTree as an early employee and helped it grow into a global organization.
Alex currently lives in Charlottesville with his wife Sarah. In his free time, he enjoys running, woodworking, and golf.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Lower School Faculty
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Secretary
Anna Clark, a member of the Board since 2021, was elected Secretary. Ms. Clark graduated from Wakefield Country Day School in 2015. She was raised in Huntly, VA and attended WCDS from preschool through 12th grade. After graduating, Ms. Clark received a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University where she studied sociology and political science. For over ten years, she managed Haley Fine Art, a local gallery in Sperryville that showcases regional art. She then moved to the DC area to work in the non-profit space, planning events for a climate think tank, E3G. Most recently, Ms. Clark joined an investment management firm, Brown Advisory, where she manages relationships with their private and non-profit clients. As a second-generation graduate of WCDS, she and her family have been committed to the school's success for many years.
Bennett is a Rappahannock native who grew up just a few miles from WCDS, where his sister Isabelle graduated in 2011. After earning his bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Virginia Tech, Bennett went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee School of Law. After several years practicing with Williams Mullen in Richmond, Virginia, Bennett returned home to his family's farm and joined a local law firm, Walker Jones, where he advises clients on business organizations, transactions, and disputes. In his free time, Bennett loves to coach and play soccer, work on the farm, and travel to Sweden with his wife, Ebba, to visit his in-laws. Inspired by the impact WCDS had on his sister and the belief that people thrive in different learning environments, Bennett is committed to doing his part to ensure WCDS continues to be an option for families in the community.
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager, Admissions Assistant
Gregory J. Eck has worked as an immigration lawyer in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for over ten years. Currently, in his role as founder and owner of the Law Office of Gregory J. Eck, LLC, he assists individual and corporate clients with their immigration needs. Gregory is committed to providing pro bono services and has assisted many individuals who faced deportation.
Prior to his work as a lawyer, Gregory served as a teacher and chaplain at Georgetown Preparatory School where he taught religious studies, ethics, and social studies. Gregory received his bachelor's degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He went on to get a Master of Arts in philosophy from Fordham University and a Master of Education from Boston College. In 2009, he received his Juris Doctor from University of Miami School of Law. Gregory currently lives in Pennsylvania where he enjoys woodworking and scuba diving in his free time.
Job Titles:
- Registrar & College Advisor
Matt Mills is a partner at the law firm of ArentFox Schiff where he advises clients in the entertainment, television, and consumer products (fashion and consumer electronics) industries on trademark, copyright, and marketing/advertising law matters. Matt is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Matt and his husband Joshua live in Castleton with their two children, both of whom attends WCDS.
Job Titles:
- Lower School Dean / IT Support
Paul Larner began his career as a real estate lawyer at Piper & Marbury in Baltimore in 1985. He transitioned to real estate finance in 1991 while working at The Charles E. Smith Companies in Arlington, VA, where he became Chief Financial Officer in 1998 and Chief Operating Officer in 2002. After Smith merged with Vornado Realty Trust he became Chief Administrative Officer of the combined public company. Since 2003, he has been the principal in numerous real estate investment partnerships, and he manages a private investment fund dedicated to real estate income securities. Paul is a graduate of Haverford College; King's College, University of London; and the University of Virginia School of Law. He was also a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger from 1978-80. In addition to being Head of School, Paul has been instrumental in the Advisory and Adjunct Faculty Programs at WCDS. He lives in Rappahannock County with his wife Rosita; they have three children. Their youngest, Daniel Larner, is a 2012 graduate of WCDS.
Sharon Luke worked as a self-employed attorney in Washington, VA for 40 years. She currently does pro bono work for some local non-profit organizations. She formerly held the positions of Commissioner of Accounts for Rappahannock County and Commissioner in Chancery for the Circuit Court of Rappahannock County. In addition, she has served on the board of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, the Rappahannock National Bank and Union Bank and Trust as both a member and chair. In the area of education, Sharon has served on the boards of the Child Care and Learning Center as well as WCDS. After receiving her bachelor's degree from University of Maryland - College Park, Sharon went on to attend law school at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC where she received her JD in 1976. Sharon lives in Rappahannock County with her husband, Peter Luke; their daughter Christina Luke graduated from WCDS in 2003 and their son Benjamin Luke graduated in 2007.
Job Titles:
- Director of Admissions and Development
Tom Griffin is a 1995 graduate of Wakefield Country Day School and the father of a Wakefield Alumnus and a current Wakefield Student. Mr. Griffin currently serves as the Director for the Office of Financial Policy and Audit Resolution at the U.S. Department of Energy. In this role, he manages CFO's Financial Policy and Audit Resolution functions with the overall objective of improving DOE business operations. Prior to joining DOE, Mr. Griffin worked for the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Commerce, where he led inspections of overseas Foreign Commercial Service posts and program evaluations of domestic Commerce programs. He has also served as a Risk Management Analyst for the Transportation Security Administration, an analyst for the American Petroleum Institute, and an Economic Research Analyst for the Federal Trade Commission. Mr. Griffin studied and interned in Milan, Italy, and has organized multiple trips to Italy for Wakefield. He holds a B.A. in Honors from Virginia Tech, an M.A. from George Mason University, and an M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina, where he was awarded the Darla Moore Fellowship.