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Suffolk City Manager Al Moore announced Captain Janet Days as the city’s new Director of Economic Development, effective Feb. 7, 2025.

Now retired, Days served as the first Black commanding officer of the Norfolk Naval Station and was one of a few Black women to command the USS McFaul, a guided missile destroyer. She has earned two Legion of Merit Medals and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Days has her Bachelor of Science in Communication from Old Dominion University and her Master in Business Administration from Monterey Navy Postgraduate School. She also graduated from the Joint Command and Staff College and the CIVIC Leadership Institute. Days has been given a number of accolades due to her post-military achievements including the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Dreamer Award, the Library of Virginia’s Strong Men, Strong Women of Virginia Award, and the Woman of the Year Award from Women in Transportation. ODU also awarded her a Doctor of Humane Letters. 

In addition to these honors, Days is also a mentor to emerging leaders and serves on the Norfolk State University Social Work Advisory Committee Board and on the Planning Council Board.

As Director of Economic Development, Days plans to foster initiatives that will attract and retrain businesses, foster economic growth, and focus on job creation opportunities for citizens.The Department of Economic Development includes the Economic Development Authority, Division of Tourism and the Suffolk Executive Airport.