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.
Carrie Conway
May, 2027
Robert Dickey
May, 2027
Bennett Eastham, Secretary
May, 2026
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.
John Elmore, Head of School
Ex Officio Member
John Elmore's career spans more than three decades in independent schools. He served as Head of School at the O'Neal School in North Carolina for eleven years before coming to WCDS in 2024. Mr. Elmore started his career as a science and mathematics teacher at the Hewitt School in New York City before becoming Director of College Counseling, the same role he held at University Liggett School in Michigan. He has held several key leadership roles including Head of Upper School and Assistant Head of School at Trinity School of Midland, Texas, and Head of Upper School and Director of Studies at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, Connecticut. John holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Grinnell College in Iowa and a master's degree in religion and ethics from Yale University.
Tom Griffin, Chair
May, 2026
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.
Matthew Mills
May, 2026
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.
Alex Shafran, Vice Chair
May, 2026
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.
Terri Sutton, Treasurer
May, 2026
With over 40 years of senior management experience, Terri Sutton helps small and medium-sized businesses better manage the financial aspects of their organization, balancing the management of day-to-day operations to ensure they support long-term planning and goals. A full-time resident of Rappahannock County, Terri Sutton most recently worked as a Head of Finance and Operations at Connelly School of the Holy Child, a preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12. Terri graduated from George Mason University's Costello College of Business. Terri currently serves on the Board of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation and is a member of the planning committees for Sperryfest and Christmas in Little Washington.
John Vanderzon
May, 2027
Mark Zimmer
May, 2027
Mark Zimmer is a 1995 graduate of Wakefield Country Day School. He retired from the U.S. Department of State after a 23-year career as a Foreign Service Officer, serving mostly in Asia and Africa. He worked as a Deputy Program Manager at a government contractor before joining the Department of State. He earned a bachelor's in International Relations from the College of William and Mary and completed a master's degree at the National Defense University's Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. He and his wife Susie live in Warrenton and have seven children between them.