News & Events

Dylan Denslow '08 will begin in April as Norfolk Academy's new Chief Financial and Operations Officer. This letter was sent to the NA community on March 16.

Dear Norfolk Academy Family, 

I am delighted to announce that we have successfully concluded our national search for a Chief Financial and Operating Officer with the appointment of Mr. Dylan Denslow ’08, who possesses a combination of legal and business expertise, personal integrity and warmth, and a passion for education — the Bulldog brand of education in particular. This letter will offer an official introduction, and I think you will see the breadth of experience that he will bring to the complex and varied work of Norfolk Academy’s business operations. However, it cannot convey the many personal attributes that impressed all who met him. For that, you will have to meet him in person! Mr. Denslow will be stepping into the role so capably filled by Mr. Jeff Martin ’87, who shared his decision to retire at the end of this school year — more on him in a moment. Mr. Denslow will begin in early April, allowing him to work alongside Mr. Martin and his capable team in the Business Office for the final stretch of the school year, which will help the school achieve a smooth transition.

Mr. Denslow is an Academy “thriver,” taking advantage of all NA had to offer in his 12-year journey. He played football and captained the lacrosse team, served on the Honor and Student Councils, and particularly enjoyed studio art. At graduation, he received a Head of School Award, given in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the life of the school. After graduation, he headed to the University of Virginia, where he earned a B.S. in Commerce with a double concentration in finance and marketing from the McIntire School. He then headed to T.C. Williams Law School at the University of Richmond, where he served as the public relations editor of the Journal of Law & Technology, graduating cum laude in 2015.

Mr. Denslow began his legal career at Woods Rogers PLC in Roanoke, Virginia, working first in litigation, specializing in breach of contract and trademark infringement cases; during this time, he played a pivotal role in securing the then-largest settlement in firm history. Shortly thereafter, he paused his legal career to further refine his business and leadership skills, earning an MBA from UVA’s Darden School of Business, with a concentration in entrepreneurship. After earning his MBA, he returned to Woods Rogers in its Charlottesville office, transitioning his practice to corporate and transactional work; during this time, he also supported Woods Rogers’ corporate cybersecurity and data privacy efforts, including developing and managing strategies and tactics in the event of a data breach. He then worked in mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance for Troutman Pepper in Richmond before serving as the first general counsel for CSC Leasing Co., where he established and then oversaw the legal, governance, and compliance functions of the company and provided strategic legal advice to the leadership team. Most recently, he returned home to Tidewater to serve as corporate counsel for XKIG in Norfolk, providing legal counsel on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

“Although the programs, facilities, and tradition are all essential to the Academy experience, its people are truly what make this community so special, and teacher-coaches are its foundation,” he said. “I was fortunate to have many incredible teacher-coaches during my time as a student, including several of whom continue to serve as close friends and role models 18 years later. I am humbled by and deeply appreciative of the opportunity to return to the community I hold most dear, and I look forward to helping ensure that future students have experiences as exceptional as my own.”

As we welcome Mr. Denslow, we are also saying farewell to Mr. Jeff Martin ’87, who has brought a remarkable combination of financial acumen, intellectual energy, sound judgment, and collegiality to his 13 years in the role. Mr. Martin earned an engineering degree from the United States Naval Academy, a master’s degree in engineering from Boston University, and an MBA in finance from Old Dominion University. He served 20 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve and then worked at General Mills in various financial leadership roles before returning home to Tidewater and to his alma mater. An engineer through and through, he enjoys solving problems, and the school has benefited greatly from his determination to find solutions to challenges large and small. He has worked closely with members of the Board of Trustees throughout his tenure and earned their admiration and respect. Likewise, Jeff has built a great relationship with his team in the Business Office, and their collaborative energy has strengthened the school year by year. I certainly feel a great debt of gratitude for the time he spent helping me gain a deeper understanding of the school’s finances and operations when I first arrived and for his continued partnership during this exciting period in the lead-up to the school’s 300th anniversary. An avid and accomplished sailor, Mr. Martin has plans for major adventures on the high seas, which is what prompted his retirement, and I look forward to giving him a great “bon voyage” at the end of this school year.

We have much more ahead as we sail into spring — athletic contests, arts performances, Field Day, and more. Whether you are here in Hampton Roads or living many miles away, thank you for all you do for the Bulldogs!

Sincerely,

Travis J. Larrabee
Head of School