December 2016
A Publication of New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
Photo by Tim Dunham
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2016 Chamber Year in Review T
he New Castle County Chamber of Commerce creates business development opportunities for our members, and advocates for a strong and stable economic climate. Throughout 2016, the Chamber continued to offer a wide range of activities, opportunities and programs. We are grateful for our loyal and active membership, and will continue to work hard during the New Year to provide the greater New Castle County area with top notch services that help our member businesses connect, save and grow. Here is a quick review of 2016:
featuring Dr. Anirban Basu from Sage Policy Group. Over 250 people eagerly listened to Dr. Basu’s recap of the economic activities of 2015 and his discussion of the potential outlook Anirban Basu for the County’s economy in 2016. We plan to have Dr. Basu back again next year on February 9th at Chase Center on the Riverfront.
ChamberPalooza
Annual Dinner
The year started off with some rock n’ roll at our annual ChamberPalooza event
In March, the Chamber invited members and non-members to join us at the Chase Center on the Riverfront for our 2016 Annual Dinner. A crowd of 450 people attended the Dinner where Congressman John Carney was presented the Free Enterprise Award and Tony Allen from the Bank of America was presented the Wallace Johnson Community Service Award.
at World Cafe Live at the Queen. In February, we had two local cover bands performing a variety of music genres and competing to win the title of 2016 Chamber Band of the Year. All those in attendance had a chance to vote for either Country By Night or JAH People. When the votes were counted, Country By Night was the winner! Economic Forecast Lunch In February, The New Castle County Economic Development Council hosted the 9th Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon
Wilmington Business Leaders Network The Chamber continued to coordinate the activities of the Wilmington Business Leaders Network throughout the year and advocated for policies and projects that will impact the future economic growth and revitalization of Wilmington. There was a lot activity for this group during the seven way Democratic primary for Mayor, which was won by Mike Purzycki. Connecting with Your Next Customer
This Edition 2 I Chamber Events Matter Women’s Expo & WinterFest photos 3 I Year in Review 2016 Chamber Year in Review Continued from page 1 Business Education photos Continued from page 2 4 I Legislative Connection 2016 Election Brings Change and Shatters Assumptions 5 I Economic Development 10th Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon Featuring Anirban Basu 6 I Calendar of Events - December W.I.N. Holiday Sip n’ Shop The Pros Secrets to Success
In 2016, the Chamber continued to offer the best networking program in the area with over 6,500 people attending a wide range of networking mixers. Some of the biggest crowds in 2016 attended our seasonal “ChamberFests,” which combined a networking mixer and mini-trade show with exhibitors and vendors. This year, the Chamber
7 I Calendar of Events - January Annual Meeting & Mixer
offered ten free networking events as part of each member’s dues. This provided more opportunities for our members to connect with their next customer.
11 I Chamber Networking Join a Referral Group Today to Increase your Business
Continued on page 3.
Advertise on Facebook 8 I Membership Matters New Member Listing 9 I Ribbon Cuttings Grand Openings and Celebrations 10 I Emerging Enterprise Center New Castle County is Open for Business
12 I Happy Holidays! From the Staff of Your Chamber
CHAMBER EVENTS MATTER Photos by CIA Photo
Entrepreneurial & Business Women’s Expo
(Right) 2015 award winner, Dr. Traci Bolander and Chamber President Mark Kleinschmidt present Deborah Mannis Gardner with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2016. Congratulations!
The Chamber honored Cathy Hopkins Grieco at this year’s Expo with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her successful business career and contributions to her community.
Visit www.NCCCC.com & click Events Calendar
Last year’s Business Woman of the Year, Donna Duffy of 3E Marketing Solutions and Chamber President Mark Kleinschmidt present Kimberly Connell of First State Elevator Company with the 2016 Business Woman of theYearAward.
(Top) Over 120 exhibitors displayed their products and services during the Exhibitor’s Showcase. Attendees enjoyed desserts, coffee and wine tasting throughout the afternoon and they visited the booths of our members. There was a high energy among the guests and members as they were networking and building new personal and business relationships.
Attendees of the morning workshops posed for a group photo in the auditorium at the Chase Center.
Jordan and Samantha volunteered during the afternoon showcase with our keynote speaker, Liz Scott of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to sell lemonade. The girls raised over $800 that afternoon donations from our members!
Past winners with this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year. (L-R) Dr. Traci Bolander, Janet Killian, Dianne Ferry, Cathy Hopkins Grieco, Deborah Mannis-Gardner, Beverly Stewart, Pat Creedon, Donna O’Dell Hoke, Carla Vicario
WinterFest Tabletop & Networking Expo (Right) Members enjoyed the bidding war frenzy of the silent auction! Thank you to the 30 Chamber members who donated their products for this traditional part of our annual WinterFest. Partial proceeds went to the Emerging Enterprise Center. (Left) DoubleTree Concord Pike staff and WinterFest hosts. The food was fabulous and the hospitality was wonderful! The hotel looked lovely in its festive splendor. Thank you to the amazing staff for the warm welcome this holiday season! 6 I December 2016 I www.ncccc.com
(Top) WinterFest attendees having a great time! (Left to right) Bob Roth, Jackie Haftl, Stephen Haftl, Shawn Bell, Rob Reid. (Left) Guests Charisse Rogers and Lynise Grimsly were spreading plenty of holiday cheer throughout the evening at WinterFest! Let them be an example for all of us for how to have fun at a networking event!
(Top) Guests Greg Gates, Matt Doyle, Mike Parson, Jake Ruddy and Ed Fronczkowski enjoyed some great conversation and networking. Member support system at its finest! (Left) Jeanne Hyden of Sponsor Company, Delmarva Power and Tim Teed of Vesta Wash were the winners of our most festively dressed prizes. Thanks to both for participating in the contest!
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
YEAR IN REVIEW
Business Education
2016 Chamber Year in Review Continued from page 1.
Attendees learned about all aspects of running a business from 14 different speakers at the 2-day Small Business Owner’s Boot Camp, a kick-off event for Delaware Innovation Week.
Workshops and Seminars The Chamber’s business education program was in full swing in 2016 with interesting and thought provoking topics. Attendees gained valuable, real-world skills that contributed to their business success. This year, the Chamber offered a new and excited program known as Growth Wheel, which provides a custom set of tools for customer relations, operations, organization and business concepts. Frank DeSantis of the Emerging Enterprise Center presented a Lunch and Learn session on Sales Planning at a Delaware Innovation Week event.
Support for Start-Up Businesses The Chamber’s Emerging Enterprise Center (EEC) is a small business incubator program that provides affordable rental space and services to early stage companies seeking to expand and create new jobs in New Castle County. During 2016, ten companies were in residence at the EEC and employed over fifty people. The EEC also hosted the Swim with the Sharks Video Pitch Competition. Vibrating Therapeutic Apparel was the winner of a prize package valued at over $7,500 to help grow their business.
the business climate in New Castle County. We are encouraging the State, County and City to enter into a new era of cooperation to improve economic conditions in Wilmington, which will have significant benefits for the County and State. International Travel The Chamber continued its travel abroad program in 2016 with trips to Thailand and Italy. These trips are very affordable and provide our members a unique opportunity to experience other parts of the world. In the summer of 2017, the Chamber will be returning to China for the fifth time. If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, visit www.ncccc.com.
Entrepreneurial & Business Women’s Expo
The Election
In November, the Chamber hosted the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial & Business Women’s Expo and provided the 700 attendees an opportunity to participate in educational workshops, visit more than
The results of this year’s election certainly provided a number of surprises as we will see significant change at the federal, state and local l e v e l s. Donald Trump’s election as President will usher in a new “style” of governing and should result in a significant amount of debate and new policies. The Chamber is very much looking forward to working with Governor Carney, County Executive Meyer and Mayor Purzycki to improve
120 exhibitors and network. This year’s keynote speaker was Liz Scott (Alex’s Mom) from Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and she shared a very moving and powerful story about Alex’s battle with cancer and her legacy of caring for and helping others.
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LEGISLATIVE CONNECTION
2016 Election Brings Change and Shatters Assumptions T
Visit www.ncccc.com & click Government Affairs
he 2016 election is just three weeks behind us, as of this writing, and pundits, pollsters and other observers are still sorting out what occurred and how. Major polls were significantly off, leading to considerable surprise in many quarters. Polling inaccuracy in the 2016 election will be examined separately in an upcoming article. The only certainty to emerge from the 2016 presidential election is that conventional political wisdom should not be accepted at face value and that the pendulum swings in our democracy and will in all likelihood swing again.
As a non-partisan business organization, the Chamber has members who supported both candidates, supported third party candidates, and some who supported no one at the top of the ticket. Therefore, in this article we make no value judgments on the outcome. We do, however, note the failure of dealing in certainties where electoral politics are concerned and the need for bi-partisan solutions to the major challenges facing our country.
(banking and financial services reform), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus package in 2009) and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) all became law. Then came the 2010 mid-term elections. The 2010 mid-term elections challenged the Democratic Party’s permanent majority narrative as the party went on to suffer the largest losses on the part of a majority party since the Great Depression. The Republicans picked up 63 House seats, regaining the House and ensuring a substantial majority. They also increased their minority from 41 to 47, further widening the gap between the Democratic majority and cloture. The GOP also picked up 680 state legislative seats in various general assemblies, and finished the election with 29 of 52 governorships.
Not long after President Obama’s historic election and inauguration, Ruy Teixeira, a noted political scientist and academic, published a paper which made the assertion that America was becoming an increasingly progressive place and that the result would be the continued ascendancy of the Democratic Party, particularly its progressive wing, and a more or less permanent Democratic majority. Dr. Teixeira was not alone in this prognostication. It was widely shared by academics, pundits and other informed observers at the time. At the time, their assumption seemed fairly sound, given the strong electoral performance of the Democratic Party in 2006 and 2008.
Lest that seem like an electoral overreaction in the early days of a presidency, it is important to note that, for the most part, the Republican Party has continued its ascendancy and has had its most successful six years since the 1920s. The GOP came into the 2016 elections with the largest number of state legislative seats in the party’s history, 31 out of 50 governorships, 54 out of 100 seats in the United States Senate and 244 out of 435 seats in the U.S. House. As of this writing, the Republican Party has gained three governorships, held a substantial House majority (with 6 less seats) and held on to a U.S. Senate majority that experts expected them to lose (with 2 less seats). Additionally, they won the presidency with Donald J. Trump garnering 306 electoral votes to Hillary Clinton’s 232.
What followed was two years of one-party rule in which the Dodd-Frank
Some now argue that the era of Western Progressive Liberalism is com-
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ing to a close. Election victories by the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom on the heels of the BREXIT decision and ascendant political right in many Western European countries have led to these broad pronouncements. However, as with the assertions in 2009 and 2010 that the conservatism was on the way out, it is inadvisable to pronounce either the left (more accurately, the left-of-center) permanently out of power. This means that the breathless pronouncements of pundits on either side of the political spectrum must be taken in context, and that the Democratic Party is likely no more permanently out of power as we enter 2017 than was the Republican Party in 2009. Rather than prognosticating about the end of one particular political ideology or another, perhaps it is more productive to note that outright certainty in such matters is fool’s gold. Rather than insist that our parties hew to their side of the road and surrender nothing, we would do well to insist that our leaders work together to forge a path forward that includes peace, prosperity and compromise.
During the past eight years, the Congress of the United States has passed only one budget, relying instead on continuing resolutions to fund the U.S. government and meet our obligations. There are substantial flaws in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which are causing a great deal of financial pain and economic dislocation. Rather than fix the problems, both parties have engaged in a game of parliamentary chicken for the past six years. Our nation’s infrastructure is still in need of massive repair. Little-to-nothing has been done to address this. Our gross federal debt is currently $19.06 trillion, versus a gross domestic product (GDP) of $18.7 trillion, a state of affairs that we cannot sustain for much longer without serious consequences. Blame cannot be wholly assigned to either major party – both own their share. The time for assigning fault is over, the time for seeking solutions must commence. Ultimately, regardless of which candidate or candidates we supported, or which policies we favor, we are all Americans. It is time for the leaders of both parties at both the state and federal level, to work together to move our country forward.
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
10th Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon Featuring Anirban Basu
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n Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, the New Castle County Economic Development Council will host its 10th Annual Economic Forecast lunch presentation that will recap the economic activities of 2016 and discusses the outlook for the economy in 2017.
development. He currently lectures at Johns Hopkins University in micro-, macro-, international and urban economics.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available and this year’s event sponsors will enjoy a private reception with Dr. Basu. Contact Bob Chadwick at chadwickb@ncccc.com or (302) 294-2058 Anirban Basu will be making his 8th for sponsorship information. This event consecutive annual economic forecast for will sell out again this year. Visit the New Castle County Economic www.ncccc.com to register today. Development Council. Dr. Basu is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore , Maryland . He is one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most recognizable economists, in part because of his consulting work on behalf of numerous clients, including prominent developers, bankers, brokerage houses, energy suppliers and law firms. On behalf of government agencies and non-profit organizations, Dr. Basu has written several high-profile economic development strategies. In recent years, he has focused upon health economics, the economics of education and economic
Thank you to our Event Sponsor: Institute for Supply ManagementDelaware. Thank you to our President’s Circle sponsors: Delmarva Power, IFS Insurance, Delaware City Refining Company, LLC, Boulden Brothers, AAA Mid-Atlantic, ab+c Creative Intelligence, Wilmington University and Fitzgerald Consulting, Inc.
Economic Development Council Member List AAA Mid-Atlantic • ab+c Creative Intelligence • Bernardon • Christiana Care City of Newark • City of Wilmington • Commercial Industrial Realty Council Committee of 100 • Delaware BioScience Association Delaware City Refining Company • Delaware Economic Development Office Delaware Health Science Alliance • Delaware River & Bay Authority DelDot • Delle Donne & Associates • Delmarva Power DiSabatino Construction • Emory Hill Real Estate Services Facility Services Group • Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau Harvey, Hanna & Associates • Info Solutions LLC • Integrity Staffing Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay New Castle County Government • New Castle County Board of Realtor PNC Bank • Setting Properties, Inc. • Sonitrol Security Systems • TD Bank The Byrd Group • The Commonwealth Group • University of Delaware Whiting Turner • WILMAPCO • World Trade Center Delaware
Contact Bob Chadwick at chadwickb@ncccc.com for information on joining the Economic Development Council.
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DECEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR !
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8:30 -11:30 AM What are the Pros’ Secrets to Success? A Business Education Program
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED All events are held at the New Castle County Chamber, 12 Penns Way. Call (302) 737-4343 for details.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Producer’s Lunch Networking Group 9:00 - 11:00 AM New Castle County Open for Business Open House for small business owners 5:00 - 8:00 PM WinterFest Tabletop & Networking Expo at Doubletree Hilton
8:00 - 9:30 AM Fortune Referral Group
Save the Date! ChinaTrip Info Session February 8th
7:30 - 9:00 AM ChamberPro Referral Group
4:00 - 5:30 PM Monday Money Makers Networking Group
11:30 AM -1:00 PM Producer’s Lunch Networking Group 4:00 - 6:00 PM W.I.N. Holiday Sip-n-Shop at DBCC Savvy Resale Shop, Wilmington
Chamber closed
8:00 - 9:30 AM Fortune Referral Group
Chamber closed
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Chamber closed
Chamber closed
To register for events, visit www.NCCCC.com and click ‘Calendar’
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
JANUARY EVENTS CALENDAR !
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UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED All events are held at the New Castle County Chamber, 12 Penns Way. Call (302) 737-4343 for details.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Producer’s Lunch Networking Group
8:00 - 9:30 AM Fortune Referral Group
To register for events, visit www.NCCCC.com and click ‘Calendar’ 7:30 - 9:00 AM ChamberPro Referral Group
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 4:00 - 5:30 PM LNG Monday Money Makers Lunchtime Networking Networking Group 6:00 -7:00 PM Group China Trip Info Session
Chamber closed Martin Luther King, JR Day
5:30 - 7:30 PM 8:00 - 9:30 AM Annual Meeting & Mixer Fortune Referral Group Embassy Suites, Newark
7:30 - 9:00 AM 8:30 -10:00 AM ChamberPro Referral Chamber Orientation, Group a FREE event 4:00 - 5:30 PM (registration requested) 8:30 - 11:30 AM Monday Money Makers Get your Business on Networking Group 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Google Maps & InLNG crease your SEO! Lunchtime Networking A business education Group program
8:30 -11:00 AM Getting a 360 Degree Perspective on your Business A Growth Wheel program
11:30 AM -1:00 PM Producer’s Lunch Networking Group
9:00 - 11:00 AM New Castle County Open for Business Open House for small business owners: a FREE event; walk-ins welcome
5:30 - 7:30 PM How to Advertise on Facebook Like a Social Media Rockstar a business education program
New Castle County Economic Development Council Save the date!
10th Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon with Dr. Anirban Basu Sage Policy Group Chase Center on the Riverfront Thursday, February 9 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM www.ncccc.com I December 2016 I 7
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS 3E Marketing Solutions Advertising & Marketing (302) 268-6234 www.3Emarketingsolutions.com A.Blake Enterprises Advertising & Marketing (302) 378-1496 www.ablakeenterprises.com Aire Serv of Elkton and Newark Plumbing/HVAC (410)620-5400 www.youraireserv.com
Visit www.NCCCC.com & click ‘Directory’
Best Vacations LLC Travel (443) 566-0270 www.bestvacationsllc.com Big Wave Solutions, Inc. Consultants/Consulting (484) 406-1076 www.bigwavesolutions.com
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Brandywine Food Services dba Woops! Restaurants (302) 593-1670 https://bywoops.com/apps/store-locator Burke Painting & Coatings, Inc. Construction/Contracting (302) 888-2445 www.burkepaintingandcoatings.com Cephous Cleaning Services Cleaning Supplies/Services (302) 562-7746 CLC Cleaning Services, LLC Cleaning Supplies/Services (302) 438-5017 www.clccleaningservicesllc.com Danio Notifier Health & Wellness (443) 945-7759 www.danionotifier.com
Data Value Business & Professional Services (302) 357-1866 www.datavalued.com EveryHome Realtors Real Estate (443) 417-7670 www.everyhome.com First State Vein and Laser Center Health & Wellness (302) 294-0700 www.FirstStateVein.com Junior Achievement of Delaware, Inc. Non-Profit Organization (302) 654-4510 www.jadelaware.org Patterson Schwartz - Vicario Real Estate (302) 753-3937 www.carlavicario.realtor
NEW MEMBERS Restore It Commercial Roofing, Inc. Construction/Contracting (302) 888-2445 www.restoreitcommercialroofing.com USI Insurance Insurance (302) 397-0171 www.usi.com Wellness Associates Of Delaware Health & Wellness (302) 593-3043 www.wellnessdelaware.com Join the Chamber today to have your business listed here and enjoy the many benefits of Chamber membership! Contact Chris Marchak at marchakc@ncccc.com or (302) 737-4343
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
RIBBON CUTTINGS
Photo by CIA Photo
Whether you have a taste for hearty breads or delectable sweets, at Serpe & Sons Bakery they’re sure to have something special just for you! www.serpesbakery.com
Ted's Montana Grill is a proud tribute to the ingredients, meals and hospitality that define the Great American West while preserving and building the bison herds in America. www.tedsmontanagrill.com
STAT International offers a wide variety of office services including physical office rentals, virtual services and shared and co-working spaces. stat.international/company
Gray Matter Security is your team of Cyber Security Consultants focused on delivering information security and risk management solutions for your business.es. graymattersecurity.com
CLC Cleaning Services, LLC is a full service commercial cleaning company specializing in expert office cleaning and hard floor restoration and maintenance www.clccleaningservicesllc.com
Direct Mobile Transit provides quality transportation services that support the mobility, well-being and health of seniors and the mobility challenged. www.directmobiletransit.com
Orth Financial Group is here to help you live the life you’ve earned. When you have the right advisor, life can be brilliant. www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/orth-financial-group www.ncccc.com I December 2016I 9
EMERGING ENTERPRISE CENTER
New Castle County is Open for Business pen for Business was off-site this Open for Business event at the Chamber past month at The Mill Space for on January 26th from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Delaware Innovation Week. Check us out every fourth Thursday of the month. Find multiple resources for your business in one place at one time in this free program to assist with start-ups or businesses looking to expand.
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Visit the Chamber’s events calendar at www.ncccc.com to register for the next
Visit www.NCCCC.com & click Events Calendar 10 I December 2016 I www.ncccc.com
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER NETWORKING Join a Referral Group Today to Increase your Business!
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ou are exposed to over 3,000 marketing messages per day! Is your message lost? Word-ofmouth marketing cuts through the clutter and gets straight to business. There are all kinds of referral groups out there to help you with
policies and guidelines. Direct competitors to the group members’ businesses are not permitted to participate in the same referral group. The philosophy of the referral groups is “by giving business to others, you will get business in return.” Think of the Chamber referral group as if having dozens of sales people working for you. When they meet someone who could use your products or services, they recommend you and you the same for them. It’s as simple as that.
word-of-mouth marketing. The mission of the Chamber referral groups is to help members increase their business through a structured, positive, and professional "word-ofmouth" program that enables them to deWhy wouldn’t you want to join a group velop long-term, meaningful relationships where business people know who you are with quality business professionals. and what you do and actively listen to find Our referral groups have an intentional leads for you? Successful businesses depend agenda. The first 15 minutes is for eating on word-of-mouth. Word-of-mouth advertising and networking. During the meeting you is the best advertising there is. It all adds up to will have an opportunity to give a 30 second connecting with your next customer by way presentation about your business and two of referrals. Join a referral group with the of the members will deliver a 5-10 minute Chamber today. We have two breakfast referral presentation about their business. One of groups: Fortune Group meets the 1st and 3rd the best segments of the meeting is when Tuesday of the month at 8- 9:30 am. Chammembers actually exchange live referrals to berpro meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each other. You will find the meetings full of the month at 7:15-9:00 am. positive upbeat energy. We have two lunch referral groups: Participation in the group by members is Producers meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of a key to the success of a group. Members the month at 11:30 am -1:00 pm. LNG meets can participate by bringing referrals and/or the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at visitors to their group. Referral groups do 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. require commitment. The most successful Finally, Monday Money Makers meets the referral groups are comprised of participants 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 4:00 who are sincerely committed to helping one 5:30 p.m. Contact Erica Crell at 302-294-2063 another through networking. As a participant, or crelle@ncccc.com for more details and you are responsible for complying with the open professions in the groups.
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