Captain Dena B. Risley, is a native of Slidell, La. She entered the Navy through the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program in 2000, and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, FL in 2001. She is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Business Administration (Financial Management), and The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Executive Development Program. Her operational assignments include Commanding Officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit TWO; Supply Officer, USS WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (DDG 110); Sales Officer, USNS COMFORT (T-AH-20); and Disbursing, Sales, and Food Service Officer, USS THOMAS S. GATES (CG-51). She completed two SOUTHCOM deployments in support of Counter Narcotics Operations and a Partnership for the Americas deployment.

Her shore assignments include Director, Supply Corps Office of Personnel, Navy Personnel Command; Deputy Comptroller, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command; Assistant to the Director, Supply Corps Office of Personnel; Assistant to the Director, Supply Corps Detailing; Pit Boss/LCDR Detailer; and LT Shore and Overseas Detailer, Navy Personnel Command; Integrated Supply Team Chief, Defense Logistics Agency, Land and Maritime; Department Head, Special Boat Team Twenty-two; and Division Officer, National Naval Medical Center.

She is designated as a Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer and Navy Expeditionary Supply Corps Officer. She is a Navy Acquisition Professional Community member and a Certified Defense Financial Manager. Her personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit awards.

Capt. Risley assumed command of the Navy Supply Corps School on June 1, 2026.

She is married to Rees Risley and they have two children, Morgan and Benjamin.
 

Last Updated: 2 June 2026