Captain Janet H. Days was appointed to the Board of Visitors July 1, 2026 by Governor Abigail Spanberger. Capt. Days is a distinguished leader whose career spans nearly four decades of service to our nation and now to the City of Suffolk. A native of Chicago, Capt. Days graduated summa cum laude from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in Business and earned her MBA from the Naval Postgraduate School. She also holds credentials from the Naval War College, Joint Command and Staff College, and the CIVIC Leadership Institute.
Capt. Days served as the Commanding Officer of Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval installation, and was the first African American to do so in the installation's 108-year history, where she led over 89,000 active-duty personnel and 50,000 civilian employees. Her naval career included commanding the USS McFaul (DDG 74), a ballistic missile destroyer on deployments across multiple theaters, and strategic roles in logistics, warfare training, and international coalition operations—including a tour in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Her military accolades include two Legion of Merit medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and numerous commendations for her leadership and service excellence.
Following her retirement in 2024, Capt. Days transitioned to civic leadership as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Suffolk, where she now applies her strategic acumen to drive business growth, workforce development, and community engagement. Her portfolio includes oversight of the Economic Development Authority, the Division of Tourism, and the Suffolk Executive Airport.
Capt. Days is also a mentor to emerging leaders and serves on advisory boards for Norfolk State University and the Planning Council. Her post-service honors include the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Dreamer Award, the Library of Virginia’s Strong Men, Strong Women of Virginia Award, Old Dominion University Distinguished Graduate Award, the Woman of the Year Award from Women in Transportation, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities – Humanitarian Award, Hampton Roads Community Action Program – Community Builders Award, and Old Dominion University also awarded her a Doctor of Humane Letters, and Virginia Wesleyan University awarded her a Doctor of Laws.
With a leadership philosophy rooted in service, integrity, and empowerment, Capt. Days continues to inspire and uplift those around her—whether in uniform or in city government.