The Board of Directors of Wakefield Country Day School is a dedicated group of professionals who work to ensure the school is managed well and runs smoothly. Positions on the Board of Directors include WCDS alumni, faculty members, parents, and members of the community.
Anna Clark
Alumni Representative
May, 2023
Anna Clark has worked in Washington, DC, coordinating events at EMILY’s List, a political action committee, and conducting direct marketing at The Strategy Group, a political consulting firm. For over ten years, she also managed Haley Fine Art, a local gallery in Sperryville that showcases regional art. Most recently, Anna joined an environmental think tank, E3G, where she organizes events that foster global discussions on climate change solutions. Anna was raised in Huntly, VA and attended WCDS from preschool through 12th grade. After graduating in 2015, Anna received a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University where she studied sociology and political science. She has been an active member of the WCDS community, attending alumni receptions and volunteering her time to help with fundraisers. As a second-generation graduate of WCDS, Anna and her family have been committed to the school’s success for many years.
Greg Eck
At-Large Representative
May, 2023
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.
Welby Lynn Griffin
Lynn Family Representative
Perpetual
Welby Lynn Griffin’s parents founded WCDS, so she has been a part of the community for her entire life. In 1998, she married fellow WCDS alum Tom Griffin (’95) and began her teaching career. Welby taught Latin and English at five different independent schools before returning to WCDS in 2008 to teach Latin, history, and English. In addition to teaching, Welby has contributed to the WCDS community by updating the Great 100’s List and all Middle and Upper School Word of the Day lists, organizing the Medieval Banquet and Talent Show, planning trips to England and Italy, and co-sponsoring the Junior Classical League chapter. She recently completed a series of Latin texts, Gryphis Latin, which have been adopted by several schools around the state. Welby graduated from WCDS as valedictorian in 1995 and attended Bryn Mawr College, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in classical languages. Her oldest son, Douglas, graduated summa cum laude from WCDS in 2018, and her youngest son, Brendan, is a 6th grader.
Dr. Uzziah Harris
At-Large Representative
May, 2023
Uzziah Anthony Harris is an educator, pastor, and life coach who has worked with youth in a number of different capacities for over a decade. Currently, he teaches English 8 at Culpeper County Public Schools where he also serves as head coach of the football team. In addition to his work as a teacher and coach, Uzziah has held the role of Executive Pastor/Associate Minister of Education and Discipleship at Unity Baptist Church in Culpeper since 2019. At the beginning of 2021, he was elected president of the Culpeper branch of the NAACP for the 2021-22 term. Uzziah received his undergraduate degrees in psychology and education from the College of William and Mary in 1999. He completed his theological studies at the Virginia Triumphant College and Seminary where he earned both his Master’s of Divinity as well as his Doctor of Divinity in 2011 and 2014 respectively.
Cole Johnson
At-Large Representative
May, 2023
Cole Johnson is the Division Director of Advancement and Partnerships for the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Prior to joining SSEC in October 2019, she began her tenure at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute where she raised funds for scientific research and for facilities used to help save species. Before coming to the Smithsonian, Cole was the Executive Director of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation. She also served as the Executive Director of Headwaters, the Rappahannock County Education Foundation. Cole currently serves on the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church. A graduate of American University, Cole holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting and was formerly licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. Cole and her husband Tom live in Woodville with their two girls, Katie and Sarah, who attend WCDS.
Paul M. Lackman
At-Large Representative
May, 2024
Paul Lackman is a supply professional working in semiconductor and internet industries for the past 25 years. He currently works at Google leading supply chain teams dedicated to supporting Google’s global data center expansions and ongoing operations. Prior to this, Paul worked for Applied Materials focused on global sourcing and enterprise transformations. He is a 1985 WCDS graduate and after Wakefield attended and received a BS in Engineering and an Army commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served 5 years on active duty as an Armored Cavalry officer and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. After the Army, he received his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and has lived and worked in various locations around the world. Today, Paul has 1 son and makes his home in Charlottesville, Va.
Paul Larner, Head of School
Ex Officio Member
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, Chair
At-Large Representative
May, 2023
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.
Matthew Mills
At-Large Representative
May, 2024
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, the oldest of whom attends WCDS.
Patricia Mullins, Secretary
Faculty Representative
May, 2023
Trish Mullins has served as a WCDS faculty member since 2012 teaching in each of the three grade-level divisions of the school. She has taught an array of English and history courses in the middle and upper schools and currently teaches upper school English. Starting in the 2021-22 school year, Trish moved into the role of Upper School Dean. Trish received her Bachelor’s degree in history from George Mason University. Her children have attended WCDS for thirteen years.
Kate Wofford
Parent Representative
May, 2025
Kate Wofford has worked with local communities to protect their land and water resources for more than 15 years. Currently, she serves as executive director of Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley, a nonprofit working to preserve the rural character, scenic beauty, clean water, and vibrant communities in six Shenandoah Valley counties. Locally, she serves on the steering committees of the Krebser Fund and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Virginia Working Landscapes and Changing Landscapes Initiatives. Kate is an honors graduate of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, and she received a master's degree from Yale University's School of the Environment. Kate and her husband Jeb live in Sperryville with their two boys, Will and Mac, who have attended WCDS since preschool.
Suzanne Zylonis
At-Large Representative
May, 2024
A WCDS faculty member since 2004, Suzanne Zylonis began her WCDS career teaching Art, Art History and Yearbook before moving into the role of Director of Admissions in 2019. She continues her coaching duties with JV and Varsity Volleyball where she has led the team to five consecutive championships during her tenure. As Dean of Upper School Advisory, she directs the Senior Internships and Life Skills Programs, as well as the "Experts in their Fields Series" which secures notable speakers to share their knowledge with students. She is also the Wildlife Conservation Club sponsor, partnering with both the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute to further the club's members' conservation knowledge. Prior to coming to WCDS, she helped run a successful business with her husband in Sperryville, Virginia, was the Director of Sales at the Airlie Conference Center in Warrenton, Virginia, and worked as a market analyst for commercial real estate firms Smithy Braedon and Julien J. Studley in Washington, D.C. She is excited to serve as an At-Large Representative to the WCDS Board.