Delaware Business Magazine - January/February 2022 by Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

DELAWARE

BUSINESS January/February 2022 $3.00

DSCC

ANNUAL REPORT Featuring Dr. Kathleen Shelton of FMC Corporation

A PUBLICATION OF THE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Periodicals

DELAWARE STATE

Voted Top Workplace by our Employees for 15 Years! Proud to be #1 in 2021 At CSC, we’re united by a common culture, a strong purpose, and a core set of values. This powerful sense of unity makes us unbeatable every day, especially when we’re faced with challenges. And we have proof: Our recent Top Workplace¹ results placed CSC as #1 in our category. In the last year, CSC employees contributed to more than 225 causes worldwide. And we’ve expanded our Diversity and Belonging program and our Sustainability program. These will help us be a better, stronger organization, enabling us to leave the world around us better off tomorrow then it is today. CSC boasts a rich mosaic of people from a vast spectrum of backgrounds and with an impressive variety of experiences. Our employees make us #1 in everything that we do— they’re truly our #1 asset!

Learn what makes CSC unique. We’d love to talk to you. Visit cscglobal.com/careers.

Delaware Top Workplaces 2021 for companies with 400+ employees.

Former DSCC President John M. Burris received the Marvin S. Gilman Bowl in November. Pictured is John with his wife, Cathy.

In this Issue Annual Report THE CHAMBER STAFF............................................................................................................. 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT........................................................................................... 5 STATE CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND GOVERNORS................................................. 6 2020 DELAWARE BUSINESS EDITORIAL CALENDAR.............................................................. 9

Departments Member News and Notes..................... 21 Business Spotlight: Delmarva Central Railroad Nonprofit Spotlight: Down Syndrome Association of Delaware Diverse Supplier Spotlight: Technical Broadcast Solutions, Inc. Welcome New Members....................... 34 Chamber Scene...................................... 36 Newsbites................................................ 84

CHAIR’S MESSAGE................................................................................................................ 10

In Case You Missed It............................ 90

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY......................................................................................................... 15

Calendar.................................................. 92

COVER STORY....................................................................................................................... 44 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION....................................................................................................... 48

For Assistance, Contact the Chamber........................................... 96

ADVOCACY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT............................................................................. 58 ANNUAL REPORT................................................................................................................... 68

On the Cover Volume 27, Number 1 / Delaware Business (USPS 012098) (ISSN 153253542) is published bi-monthly by the DSCC Center for Business Management. Subscription price is $18 a year (included in membership dues). Known office of publication is 1201 N. Orange St., Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19801. Periodicals postage paid Wilmington, DE 19850. Postmaster: Send address changes to Delaware Business, c/o DSCC Center for Business Management, P.O. Box 671, Wilmington, DE 19899-0671. Telephone (302) 655-7221. DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Dr. Kathleen Shelton, Vice President & Chief Technology Officer of FMC Corporation. Photos by Nick Wallace Photography 1

DELAWARE BUSINESS

2021 Delaware State Chamber Staff

EDITORIAL STAFF Katie K. Wilkinson Chair

Michael J. Quaranta President

Kelly Basile Editor

Christina Jones Graphic Design

Natalie Keefer Bank of America

Nicholas A. Moriello, RHU Highmark BCBS Delaware Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH ChristianaCare

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR

TREASURER

Katie K. Wilkinson Fulton Bank

Marie Holliday, CPA Cover & Rossiter Tony Allen, Ph.D. Delaware State University

VICE CHAIR

Scott Malfitano CSC

MICHAEL J. QUARANTA PRESIDENT

REGINA DONATO PROGRAM & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

TYLER MICIK PUBLIC POLICY & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER

KELLY BASILE VICE PRESIDENT STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

ALEXIS DUHADAWAY PROGRAM MANAGER, THE PARTNERSHIP, INC.

FRED MILLER ADVERTISING/RETENTION

MELISSA BRAYMAN OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

KEN EVANS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

HELANA RODRIGUEZ MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER

DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

1201 NORTH ORANGE STREET, P.O. BOX 671 • WILMINGTON, DE 19899-0671 WWW.DSCC.COM

Rodger Levenson WSFS Bank

VICE CHAIR

Jason D. Gonzalez DuPont

Barbara McCullough AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP

Nicholas P. Lambrow M&T Bank

Tom Horne JPMorgan Chase

Bonnie Metz Verizon, Delaware

Robert (Rob) Rider, Jr. O.A. Newton Gary R. Stockbridge Delmarva Power, ret.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Pierre Anderson Artesian Water Company, Inc. Steve Baccino Chesapeake Utilities Chris Baker George & Lynch, Inc, Greg Ballance Diamond Technologies Mike B. Berardi Wohlsen Construction Co. Robert A. Book II Delaware Electric Cooperative Julian H. “Pete” Booker Delaware Safety Council, Inc. Jennifer Gimler Brady Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP Dr. Mark T. Brainard Delaware Technical Community College Kevin C. Broadhurst Comcast Robert L. Byrd ByrdGomes Patrick Callihan Tech Impact Eric Casey GT USA Wilmington Stuart Comstock-Gay Delaware Community Foundation Timothy J. Constantine United Concordia Dental Charlie Copeland Associates International, Inc. Pam Cornforth Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, Inc. Andrew Cottone, Ph.D. ADESIS Barry Crozier Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, ret. Jason Danner KELLY Benefit Strategies Rick Deadwyler Corteva Agriscience™ Marta DeLisi Beasley Media Group Ernest Dianastasis The Precisionists, Inc.

Francis M. DiNuzzo ILC Dover, ret. Brian DiSabatino EDiS Company Walter Donaldson Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan, LLP Denis Dunn AT&T, Delaware Thère du Pont Longwood Foundation Jerry Esposito Tidewater Utilities, Inc., ret. G. Kevin Fasic, Esq. Offit Kurman Bryan Fisher Agilent Technologies Michael T. French Belfint, Lyons & Shuman Don Fulton Weiner Benefits Group Martha S. Gilman Cornell Property Management Corp. Joseph A. Giordano Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC Vaughn Hardin LabWare Dr. LaVerne T. Harmon Wilmington University Pete Hayward University of Delaware, ret. John E. “Jack” Healy III Healy Long & Jevin, Inc. A. Richard Heffron Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, ret. Michael Houghton Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell, LLP Tim Houseal Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP Mark Hutton M&T Bank Mona Jantzi Barclays US Consumer Bank Jeffrey Joseph PNC Bank Christopher L. Kenny ShopRites of Delaware

Lisa Kirkwood TD Bank Richard H. LaPenta Insurance & Financial Services, Ltd. Stephan Lehm VanDemark & Lynch, Inc. Alan Levin SoDel Concepts

Dennis M. Salter Edinburgh Capital Management LLC Greg Sawka Bancroft Construction Company Chris Schell Schell Brothers

Fred C. Sears II Andy Lubin Delaware Community Delaware Financial Group Foundation, ret. Mac Macleod Greg Smith Carvertise The Chemours Company William E. Manning Robert S. Smith Saul Ewing Arnstein Santora CPA Group & Lehr Guy Marcozzi Duffield Associates, Inc.

William Smith Environmental Alliance

Paul M. McConnell McConnell Development, Inc.

Mark Stellini Assurance Media

Michael A. Meoli The Meoli Group Chad Moore Beacon Hospitality

Grace Stockley Fidelitrade Incorporated Dr. David Tam Beebe Healthcare

Dian C. Taylor Mark Mumford Artesian Water Nemours Children’s Health Jim Taylor System Saul Ewing Arnstein & Terry Murphy Bayhealth Medical Center Lehr Chris O’Neill PSCI

James Tevebaugh Tevebaugh Associates

Chris Perdue Perdue Farms

Mark Turner WSFS Bank

Robert W. Perkins Brandywine Public Strategies

Michael S. Uffner AutoTeam Delaware

Theodore J. Prushinski Citizens Bank Michael Ratchford W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Richelle Vible Catholic Charities of Delaware, ret. Ann B. Wayne, BSN, RN SUN Behavioral Delaware

Bettina Tweardy Riveros ChristianaCare

Robert W. Whetzel Richards, Layton & Finger

Salvatore J. “Chip” Rossi Thomas C. “Tom” Wiedemann Bank of America AAA Club Alliance James J. Roszkowski Robert Wirth Discover Bank DuPont Country Club Rhett Ruggerio Kevin M. Wolfgang Ruggerio Willson & Evergreen Apartment Group Associates, Inc.

STAFF Michael J. Quaranta President

Melissa Brayman Office Administrator

Ken Evans Account Executive

Fred Miller Advertising/Retention

Kelly Basile Vice President Strategic Communications

Regina Donato Program & Communications Manager

Tyler Micik Public Policy & Government Relations Manager

Helana Rodriguez Marketing & Events Manager

Alexis DuHadaway Program Manager, The Partnership, Inc.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

stfrancishealthcare.org

MUSCLE HEART of a big system

of a small one

THMA-891831247

Come here for the human touch. For people who don’t just care, they care harder. For robotic surgery, advanced imaging, superior heart care, a shorter ER wait time—and love. That’s us.

A small but mighty part of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic.

701 North Clayton Street Wilmington, DE 19805

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

POWERING WHAT’S IMPORTANT.

From hospitals to homes and everything in between, Nickle keeps the power on.

INDUSTRIAL | COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL W IR ING A ND INS TA L L AT IONS SER V ICE C A L L S EMERGENC Y GENER AT OR S NIC K L E E L E C T R IC A L .C OM NE WA R K : 302- 45 3- 4000 GE OR GE T O W N: 302-856-1 006 4

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Message from the President BY MICHAEL J. QUARANTA

ANOTHER YEAR is now “in the books” and they just seem to rush by at the speed of light. As I reflect on 2021, it started where the previous year ended—with the pandemic burdening the economy, employers, and employees. This past year was also a time of economic healing for many businesses, although that “healing” has been an uneven experience. We at the State Chamber continued by providing high-level insights into the economy and the health challenges wrought by COVID-19. Throughout all of this, we needed a steady hand at the helm and clear thinking, so let me start by thanking Katie Wilkinson of Fulton Bank for her stewardship during her two-year term as chair. This was an unprecedented time in many respects, and her leadership, along with Scott Malfitano of CSC and Nick Lambrow of M&T Bank—who will serve as our chair for the next two years—were instrumental in helping guide our organization and the business community through some incredible challenges. Katie won’t speak of this, but I will—she was the first female chair of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce in its 185-year history. I am proud to have worked alongside you, Katie, and never saw a spec of light between your leadership and the people that preceded you. Thank you for your contributions to the State Chamber. The business community and state of Delaware appreciate all that you did. As businesses reopened or regained their footing, we encountered another hurdle that was unprecedented in American history. Many Americans were leaving jobs or dropping out of the workforce at the very time employers were restarting or ramping up operations. Never had employers witnessed an economy where jobs were aplenty, pay was higher, and candidates were few and far between. Female labor participation hit a low not seen in 33 years as women stayed home to care for children who had no schools to attend and could not be left alone. While only a few child care facilities closed permanently, those that remained open had fewer staff and had to accept fewer kids because of student-teacher ratios. Workforce training and development, a longtime State Chamber priority, emerged as the sentinel issue of the year and a topic we will work on for the foreseeable future. I mentioned the child care reality and its drag on employment. We are engaged in efforts to reimagine the quality of care, the profession itself, costs, and improved outcomes. Despite these headwinds, I remain quite optimistic about 2022. We have before us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebuild the middle class by moving people from low-skill, low-wage positions and into technology, building trades, and health care professions, to name a few sectors with substantial employment shortages. This decade should not be remembered for the pandemic. Rather, I hope that we will look back one day and see that we seized the opportunity to train, retrain, upskill, and give employers the employees they need, and change the lives of thousands of Delawareans for the better. DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Hello, neighbor. We’re proud to be part of this community and work to understand the unique needs and concerns of the folks who live here. Whether you’re coming into our Fidelity Investor Center to meet with an advisor for help with a financial plan, or to attend one of our seminars, our goal is to help ensure that you leave feeling prepared and confident about what’s next. The team at the Wilmington Investor Center 4001 Kennett Pike, Suite 120 Greenville, DE 19807

302.428.3776

Investing involves risk, including risk of loss.

This information is intended to be educational and is not tailored to the investment needs of any specific investor. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 © 2021 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 876732.2.16

41841-42-AD-Greenville.indd 1

11/29/21 12:07 PM

2021 Board of Directors

2021 Board of Governors

CHAIR KATIE K. WILKINSON FULTON BANK

VICE CHAIR NICHOLAS P. LAMBROW M&T BANK

VICE CHAIR SCOTT MALFITANO CSC

PIERRE ANDERSON ARTESIAN WATER COMPANY, INC.

STEVE BACCINO CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES

CHRIS BAKER GEORGE & LYNCH, INC.

GREG BALLANCE DIAMOND TECHNOLOGIES

MIKE B. BERARDI WOHLSEN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

MARIE HOLLIDAY, CPA, TREASURER COVER & ROSSITER

TONY ALLEN, PH.D. DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

JASON D. GONZALEZ DUPONT

ROBERT A. BOOK, II DELAWARE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

JULIAN H. “PETE” BOOKER DELAWARE SAFETY COUNCIL, INC.

JENNIFER GIMLER BRADY POTTER ANDERSON & CORROON LLP

DR. MARK T. BRAINARD DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

KEVIN C. BROADHURST COMCAST

TOM HORNE JPMORGAN CHASE

NATALIE KEEFER BANK OF AMERICA

RODGER LEVENSON WSFS

ROBERT L. BYRD BYRDGOMES

PATRICK CALLIHAN TECH IMPACT

ERIC CASEY GT USA WILMINGTON

STUART COMSTOCK-GAY DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

TIMOTHY J. CONSTANTINE UNITED CONCORDIA DENTAL

BARBARA MCCULLOUGH, ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP

BONNIE METZ VERIZON, DELAWARE

NICHOLAS A. MORIELLO HIGHMARK BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD DELAWARE

CHARLIE COPELAND ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

PAM CORNFORTH RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF DELAWARE

ANDREW COTTONE, PH.D. ADESIS

BARRY CROZIER BELFINT, LYONS & SHUMAN, RET.

JASON DANNER KELLY BENEFIT STRATEGIES

JANICE E. NEVIN, M.D, MPH CHRISTIANACARE

ROBERT (ROB) RIDER, JR. O.A. NEWTON

GARY R. STOCKBRIDGE DELMARVA POWER, RETIRED

RICK DEADWYLER CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE TM

ERNEST DIANASTASIS THE PRECISIONISTS, INC.

MARTA DELISI BEASLEY MEDIA GROUP

FRANCIS M. DINUZZO ILC DOVER, RETIRED

BRIAN DISABATINO EDIS COMPANY

WALTER DONALDSON FREEH SPORKIN & SULLIVAN, LLP

DENIS DUNN AT&T DELAWARE

THÈRE DU PONT LONGWOOD FOUNDATION

JERRY ESPOSITO TIDEWATER UTILITIES INC., RETIRED

G. KEVIN FASIC, ESQ. OFFIT KURMAN

BRYAN FISHER AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES

MICHAEL T. FRENCH BELFINT, LYONS & SHUMAN

DON FULTON WEINER BENEFITS GROUP

MARTHA S. GILMAN CORNELL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CORP.

JOSEPH A. GIORDANO WHISMAN GIORDANO & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

VAUGHN HARDIN LABWARE

DR. LAVERNE T. HARMON WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

PETE HAYWARD UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE RETIRED

JOHN (JACK) HEALY III HEALY LONG & JEVIN, INC.

A. RICHARD HEFFRON DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, RETIRED

MICHAEL HOUGHTON MORRIS, NICHOLS, ARSHT & TUNNELL, LLP

TIMOTHY HOUSEAL YOUNG CONAWAY STARGATT & TAYLOR, LLP

MARK HUTTON M&T BANK

MONA JANTZI BARCLAYS US CONSUMER BANK

JEFFREY JOSEPH PNC BANK

CHRISTOPHER L. KENNY SHOPRITES OF DELAWARE

LISA KIRKWOOD TD BANK

RICHARD H. LAPENTA INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES, LTD

STEPHAN LEHM VANDEMARK & LYNCH, INC.

ALAN LEVIN SODEL CONCEPTS

ANDY LUBIN DELAWARE FINANCIAL GROUP

WILLIAM E. MANNING SAUL EWING ARNSTEIN & LEHR

MAC MACLEOD CARVERTISE

GUY MARCOZZI DUFFIELD ASSOCIATES, INC.

PAUL M. MCCONNELL MCCONNELL DEVELOPMENT, INC.

MICHAEL A. MEOLI THE MEOLI COMPANIES

CHAD MOORE BEACON HOSPITALITY

MARK MUMFORD NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HEALTH

TERRY MURPHY BAYHEALTH MEDICAL CENTER

CHRIS O’NEILL PSCI

CHRIS PERDUE PERDUE FARMS

ROBERT W. PERKINS BRANDYWINE PUBLIC STRATEGIES

THEODORE J. PRUSHINSKI CITIZENS BANK

MICHAEL RATCHFORD W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

BETTINA TWEARDY RIVEROS CHRISTIANACARE

SALVATORE J. “CHIP” ROSSI BANK OF AMERICA

JAMES J. ROSZKOWSKI DISCOVER BANK

RHETT RUGGERIO, RUGGERIO WILLSON & ASSOCIATES, LLC

DENNIS M. SALTER EDINBURGH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

GREG SAWKA BANCROFT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

CHRIS SCHELL SCHELL BROTHERS

FRED C. SEARS, II DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, RETIRED

GREG SMITH THE CHEMOURS COMPANY

ROBERT S. SMITH SANTORA CPA GROUP

WILLIAM SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE, INC.

MARK STELLINI ASSURANCE MEDIA

GRACE STOCKLEY FIDELITRADE INCORPORATED

DAVID TAM, MD BEEBE HEALTHCARE

DIAN C. TAYLOR ARTESIAN WATER

JIM TAYLOR SAUL EWING ARNSTEIN & LEHR

JAMES A. TEVEBAUGH TEVEBAUGH ARCHITECTURE

MARK TURNER WSFS BANK

MIKE UFFNER AUTOTEAM DELAWARE

RICHELLE VIBLE CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DELAWARE, RETIRED

ANN B. WAYNE, BSN, RN SUN BEHAVIORAL DELAWARE

ROBERT WIRTH DUPONT COUNTRY CLUB

KEVIN M. WOLFGANG EVERGREEN APARTMENT GROUP

THOMAS (TOM) C. WEIDEMANN AAA CLUB ALLIANCE

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

ROBERT W. WHETZEL RICHARDS, LAYTON & FINGER

Are you headed in the right direction?

Retirement options that can help set you on the path to a secure future • • • • • •

• •

Creative plan options utilizing the latest technology Comprehensive participant education and communications Holistic approach to financial wellness Centralized service model Fiduciary, due diligence, and oversight services Plan reviews and service, fee and benchmarking analysis Broad range of industry leading record keepers and vendors Open architecture, comprehensive investment options and analysis

Weiner Benefits Group Weiner Benefits Group @Weiner Benefits

Louis D. Memmolo, Investment Adviser Representative. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA), member FINRA/ SIPC. RAA is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of RAA. Insurance services offered through Weiner Benefits Group, LLC, which is not affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates Inc.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

DELAWARE BUSINESS 2022 EDITORIAL CALENDAR* The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Delaware Business is published six times a year, featuring a wide range of editorial content of interest to the business community. Below is the 2022 editorial calendar, including special advertising sections and advertising space reservation deadlines:

March/April Real Estate and Construction Health Care and Insurance Taxes Workforce Development Space reservation: January 14, 2022 May/June Superstars in Education Guide Internships and Apprenticeships Legal, Government Affairs and Incorporating Services Wellness and Health Space reservation: March 4, 2022

July/August Restaurant, Meeting & Banquet Guide Tourism Agriculture Higher Learning Insurance and Financial Services Space reservation: May 6, 2022 September/October Health & Wellness Back to School Manufacturing Space reservation: July 8, 2022

November/December Superstars in Business Guide Construction and Real Estate Technology and Innovation Banking Space reservation: September 9, 2022 January/February 2023 State Chamber Annual Report The State Chamber’s Year in Review A Look at Statewide Economic Development and Advocacy Diversity and Inclusion Space reservation: November 11, 2022

* This calendar lists cover story topics and special advertising segments. Editorial topics are subject to change. Advertisers will be notified of any significant changes to content. All ads are due one week after space reservation deadline. DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Chair’s Message BY KATIE K. WILKINSON

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE that my term as chair has come to an end. When I stepped into this role in January 2020, I certainly had no way of anticipating what was about to happen in our community and the world. Looking back over these past two years fills me with both awe and gratitude. The staff at the State Chamber did amazing things to adjust and realign events, communication, and advocacy to provide real-time answers and information to employers and employees. Our almost weekly free conference calls with key stakeholders and decision-makers in highly impacted industries across the state provided upto-the-moment information about the pandemic and its impact on everyone in Delaware. This was critical to so many large and small businesses as well as people hungry for expert views and perspectives. I’d like to highlight some of those like ChristianaCare’s CEO Janice Nevin; John Fleming, director of Delaware’s SBA district office, who explained the Payroll Protection Plan process; Karyl Rattay, the director of

Great advice. Great people.

In challenging times, you need a trusted advisor. Turn to an award-winning, fullservice CPA advisory firm to address your immediate needs!

Directors: Marie Holliday (Managing Director and DSCC Board Treasurer), Pete Kennedy, Jennifer Pacilli, Eric Williams, and Myunghee Geerts

2018 & 2012 Superstars in Business Winner 2017 & 2011 Award of Excellence Winner

(302) 656-6632

www.CoverRossiter.com 10

the Delaware Division of Public Health; and of course, our own Governor John Carney. It was also an honor to serve as chair of the Business Subcommittee of the Governor’s Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee (PRAC). The purpose of this group was to: • Develop a health care system and public health strategy that’s ready in case of a resurgence of COVID-19; • Identify tactics and resources to manage a resurgence of COVID19 including, but not limited to testing capabilities, personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing, economic recovery, and health facility readiness; and • Assess methods to protect vulnerable populations and consider disproportionate effects on minority-owned businesses in the event of a resurgence of COVID-19. I want to offer a personal message of thanks and gratitude to three chamber members whose input was invaluable on the PRAC Business Subcommittee with me—Steve Chambliss of Christiana Mall, Taryn Delmasso from Edgewell Personal Care, and Chris Schell of Schell Brothers. They represented the entire State Chamber membership and their service should be applauded. Another reflection revolves around our collaborative work with the Delaware Business Roundtable led by Executive Director Bob Perkins and Board Chair Rod Ward. On behalf of both our memberships and the entire business community, we first offered support in March 2020 for the difficult decision made by the Governor to close non-essential businesses in the state. Later, we issued a comprehensive list of critical success factors to ensure a solid economic recovery and prioritize efforts to put Delawareans back to work: • Comprehensive COVID-19 testing • Retention of key employers • Improved access to broadband • Site readiness • Ready in Six • Temporary regulatory relief • Bolster Intern Delaware As my term comes to an end, I am excited to see that our business community is slowly—and safely—returning to a new normal. This new normal will bring different challenges and more change, but the State Chamber will continue to be the state’s primary advocate for the businesses in the First State—promoting economic growth, job creation, inclusion and equity, and an improved quality of life for all Delawareans. I leave you in the capable hands of Nick Lambrow, regional president of M&T Bank. Nick joined our business community ten years ago and immediately immersed himself in the community—working tirelessly with many not-for-profit organizations as well as engaging fully with the business community through State Chamber leadership and solid representation on the Delaware Business Roundtable board. I look forward to working with Nick to continue moving both this organization and state forward. Thank you for the honor to serve you in this capacity over the past two years. Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

DON’t WAIT. TEACH. Don’t just plan your next move—make it. You already know an education is valuable. But did you also know that it’s possible? With an affordable, flexible education, Del Tech is ready to make your path to becoming an educator a reality. Enroll today. Visit dtcc.edu.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Chair’s Message BY NICK LAMBROW

AS WE ENTER the next phase of our recovery from the pandemic, I am bullish on the prospects for our state in the years ahead. Delaware is a great place to live and work, and this is an opportune time for business growth throughout the state. More people are moving into Delaware than any other state in the midAtlantic. According to the latest U.S. Census data. Biopharmaceutical, IT, and other industries are bringing good jobs into the state, and continued collaboration among individuals and organizations interested in the same goal—putting Delaware in a position to succeed—have galvanized the state’s business community around a set of common priorities. Indeed, Governor Carney has made important moves—notably, the launch of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP)—to bring the state’s government and business community closer together. Recent collaboration among this and other chambers of commerce, DPP, Delaware Business Roundtable, Kent Economic Partnership, and Wilmington Alliance has

helped clarify the business community’s message, and we look forward to sharing that message with Delaware’s legislators and other decision-makers in the months ahead. This foundational work of the past has prepared us to take advantage of what lies ahead in our future. An unprecedented amount of federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act and President Biden’s infrastructure bill will flow into the state’s coffers. In all, Delaware will receive more than $3 billion in funds from those two federal sources. As much as another $444 million could be gained from a fiscal 2022 surplus, as forecasted by the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council.

As we invest in initiatives that create jobs, we must also continue to embrace the benefits a diverse workforce has on the state’s economy. I support much of that funding going toward existing programs and new initiatives that will bolster the state’s workforce and help fill open jobs. While Delaware’s unemployment rate has dropped in the past year, many employers in several industries throughout the state are still struggling to find help and, as a result, have cut back on hours of operation, services they offer, wages and more. As we invest in initiatives that create jobs, we must continue to embrace the benefits a diverse workforce has on the state’s economy. Many of these jobs will likely serve Delaware’s construction and IT sectors. The state will receive more than $2 billion from the President’s infrastructure bill that will go toward federal highway repairs, bridge replacements, public transit improvements, wastewater projects, cyber security upgrades, and expanded broadband access. High-speed internet access for all in Delaware could help businesses grow, families thrive, and students learn. Meanwhile, progress toward adoption of the state’s Ready in 6 initiative is crucial to our efficient and effective allocation of these resources. Reducing the time it takes for businesses to receive needed permits or approval to begin or complete work could mean the difference between spurring new business activity or losing promising projects. Delaware is in position to win. I want to thank Katie Wilkinson, who chaired the State Chamber the past two years, for her contributions to get us there. Katie helped guide this organization and its members through the uncertainty brought by the pandemic that began just two months into her tenure. I vow to advocate on behalf of the state’s business community as vigorously and relentlessly as Katie and the board have throughout the past few years. I look forward to the work we will continue to do together to strengthen Delaware’s legacy as a great place to do business.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Proud to be helping businesses thrive. At M&T Bank, we know small business is the heartbeat of our communities. And now more than ever, these businesses need our support. That’s why M&T’s commitment to lending remains strong. This is evident in our ranking as the number one SBA lender in Delaware, and as a top 10 SBA lender nationally.* It’s also why we’re proud to sponsor the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner. To see what M&T can do for your business, visit mtb.com/4business.

10 Equal Housing Lender. *According to statistics released by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for total approved loans through the SBA’s 7(a) lending program during the fiscal year ending in 9/30/21. ©2022 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

2021 Book of Lists Ad | 8.5”w x 11”h Delaware Business Magazine

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

TOP PRIORITIES

FOR DELAWARE

A coordinated list of 2021 priorities compiled by the Association of Chambers of Commerce of Delaware, of which the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce proudly participates

WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Invest in Delaware workers and families

- Provide relief to individuals who lost their job as a result of the pandemic by not requiring those individuals to pay state taxes on any unemployment benefits they received in 2020 - Provide support for Forward Delaware, the rapid workforce training and redeployment initiative - Create incentives for employers who hire Forward Delaware graduates - Encourage federal funding to be directed towards assisting with stabilizing childcare providers to solve a long-standing child care challenge that has been heightened as a resut of the pandemic

• Attract and maintain jobs for Delawareans

- Strengthen the state’s ability to compete for jobs with other states by not increasing taxes on individuals and businesses

• No increases or changes to minimum wage, training wage or youth wage until the unemployment rate reaches 4.0% • Legalization of recreational mariujana should not be passed without a test for impairment, employer internal policies protections, and protections from outside lawsuits are in place • The Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or stimilar state laws should closely mirror the federal FMLA

REGULATIONS & PERMITTING

• Protect natural spaces and create jobs by redeveloping abandoned sites - Support Governor Carney and the General Assembly’s efforts to create a Clean Water Trust Fund to ensure the availability of clean water for future generations - Initiate and support state programs that will increase funding for strategic economic development funds, establish site readiness funding, and focus these efforts on abandoned sites as a mean of creating clean, new jobs

• Implement the Ready in 6 initiative’s recommendations - Establish a clear and precise timeframe state agencies must respond to permit applicant requests - Hire an economic development “project concierge” to ensure projects move swiftly through the approval process - Eliminate the Preliminary Land Use Service (PLUS)

COVID-19

• Open businesses back up to 100% occupancy as quickly and safely as possible • Prioritize Delawareans and all Delaware workers during the vaccination rollout

EDUCATION

• Take bold steps to establish education equity and opportunity

- Establish a new funding formula to replace Delaware’s current unit funding formula to provide more accountability for taxpayers on the $1.4 billion the State spends each year on public education - Grow, scale and sustain Delaware Pathways, work-based learning and employer engagement - Support for early learning is essential, and Delaware must make significant progress toward creating universal, highquality pre-kindergarten to be offered across public schools, private providers and Head Start

DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

"WILMINGTON is Working" Join us in creating an equitable future where workers, employers, and communities collaborate to grow a thriving and prosperous workforce. As a National Fund for Workforce Solutions partner community, Wilmington Alliance is proud to lead one of only 32 regional workforce development collaboratives located across the country. To learn about the National Fund visit https://nationalfund.org/ Across our city, innovators are exploring new ways to build community relationships, connect diverse populations, and create economic opportunity through effective workforce development initiatives. YOUR INVOLVEMENT HELPS TO CREATE THIS VISION. Won't you join us in this important work as we seek to remove barriers to employment, foster equity in economic mobility and create strategies that meet your workforce needs? Contact us at info@wilmingtonalliance.org to learn more. Wilmington is Working | Wilmington is Growing | Wilmington is Thriving

WILMINGTONALLIANCE.ORG 16

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY

General Assembly Gavels into Session BY VERITY WATSON

PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF/FINAL FOCUS

AS THE HOLIDAY BELLRINGING SUBSIDES, those of us working in government affairs are preparing for the bells of Legislative Hall to ring; calling legislators to their desks on the chamber floor. The second leg of the 151st Delaware General Assembly convenes on January 11th and the Delaware State Chamber continues to engage on legislation introduced last year while monitoring what is to come. Key bills that carry over from session last year include: • Senate Bill 1, The Healthy Delaware Families Act, would create a statewide family and medical leave insurance program and would require employers to provide employees with 12 weeks of paid leave under certain circumstances. An updated version is expected to be introduced prior to being considered in committee. The State Chamber hosted Senator McBride, the prime sponsor of the bill, on a few occasions to discuss the concept with members and walk through concerns. If passed, the bill will impact all businesses in Delaware regardless of size or nonprofit status. • House Bill 150, which would legalize recreational marijuana, stalled in the House at the end of last session. The State Chamber is particularly focused on liability protections for business. Other items expected to be proposed are wide ranging and include criminal justice and law enforcement reform, environmental justice, employee/employer relations including tip wage reform, death with dignity, ranked-choice voting, and addressing gun violence. The State will continue to grapple with how contracted service providers, who take care of the most vulnerable Delawareans— those with disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and substance use disorders—are reimbursed for the work that they do. The cost of providing quality care continues to increase while the rates of reimbursement lags behind. We will also see the rollout of the newly formed Opioid Commission, placed under Lt. Governor Hall-Long’s Behavioral Health Consortium, and how the group decides to disperse funds to address the immense opioid crisis. These dollars are available due to Attorney General Kathy Jennings’ legal action against pharmaceutical companies and Senator Stephanie Hansen’s legislation creating an opioid impact fee. Implications of redistricting As a result of the recent redistricting and the shifting population, every legislative district’s boundaries will change to some degree with one relocating to the other end of the state. Representative DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

District 4 will be moved out of Wilmington and nestled into the Long Neck area. Rep. Gerald Brady, the current seat holder, has already announced his retirement. He is not alone—Rep. David Bentz and Sen. Ernie Lopez also announced they are not seeking re-election. It is likely this list will grow, ushering in more new faces to Legislative Hall. Tell your story It is not too late to get involved and tell your story. Your experience and expertise are powerful tools. Remember, your business is an important part of a legislator’s district. The State Chamber stands ready to assist members with organizing in-person or virtual meetings, will provide talking points, and will help facilitate the discussion if needed. A couple small actions that can go a long way include: • Adding your local elected official’s email to your distribution list for newsletters and press releases. • Invite your local elected officials to special events you are hosting. These can include ribbon cuttings, employee recognition luncheons, graduations, and more. If you would like to host a Member-to-Member meeting with your organization’s senator or representative, contact Tyler Micik at tmicik@dscc.com.

Verity Watson, Ruggerio Willson and Associates

LEGISLATIVE LEGISLATIVETRACKING TRACKING ST ST 151151 GENERAL ASSEMBLY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

DSCC SUPPORTED: HB 16: Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - PASSED Allows recipients to choose the most beneficial credit to be applied against their Delaware personal income taxes. Under this Act, recipients can choose between a non-refundable credit of up to 20% of the value of the corresponding federal EITC or a refundable EITC credit of up to 4.5% of the value of the corresponding federal EITC.

HB 200: Clean Water - PASSED Establishes a framework for assessing needs and planning and implementing projects that support Delaware’s efforts to improve the quality of the State’s water supply and waterways.

SB 127: Site Readiness - PASSED Establishes a fund to provide grants, loans or other economic assistance to businesses or public entities that invest in constructing, renovating, or improving infrastructure for sites that will attract new businesses or expand existing businesses within the State to initiate economic development opportunities that will create a significant number of direct, permanent, quality, full-time jobs.

SB 65: Focus on Alternative Skills Training Program (FAST) - PASSED

HB 166: Elevate Delaware - PASSED

Provides payments for tuition and auxiliary expenses, up to $10,000, for individuals to attend an approved non-credit certificate program.

SB 12: Student Excellence Equals Degree Act (SEED) - PASSED Increases eligibility for SEED scholarships and funding for Delaware residents who are not recent high school graduates to attend Delaware Tech.

SB 95: Inspire Scholarship Program PASSED

Provides Delaware students with strong academic credentials and a demonstrated commitment to volunteer public service to receive scholarship monies sufficient to cover the full cost of tuition at Delaware State University.

HB 158: Low Income Tax Credit (LITC) CURRENTLY IN HOUSE REVENUE & FINANCE COMMITTEE

Creates a $500 tax credit applicable to individual personal income taxes for certain lower income, working poor, individuals. In the case of spouses filing a joint return, the tax credit is $1,000. If spouses file their Delaware taxes separately, each spouse with the required income will be entitled to a $500 tax credit.

Provides up to $10,000 in tuition assistance to Delaware residents who have obtained a high school diploma and have enrolled in an approved skills training program.

DSCC MONITORED: HB 205: Delaware EARNS Act - CURRENTLY IN

SB 140: Polystyrene - CURRENTLY IN SENATE

Establishes the Delaware Expanding Access for Retirement and Necessary Saving (“EARNS”) program to serve as a vehicle through which eligible employees may, on a voluntary basis, provide for additional retirement security through a State-facilitated retirement savings program.

Prohibits the sale of containers, food service products, or packing materials made of expanded polystyrene. Prohibits food establishments and public schools from providing readyto-eat food and beverages in expanded polystyrene containers and limits the use of single-service plastic items in food establishments.

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS

ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY COMMITTEE

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

The State Chamber remains committed to creating a statewide economic climate that enables all businesses to become more competitive in Delaware.

DSCC MONITORED:

2021

SB 93: Consumer Contracts - PASSED

HB 91: Unfair Business Practices - PASSED

Provides protections for consumers in connection with contracts with automatic renewal provisions known as “evergreen” clauses.

Amends Delaware’s Consumer Fraud Act (Subchapter II, Chapter 25, Title 6 of the Code) to give Delaware consumers and businesses the protection against unfair acts or practices in commerce that the General Assembly intended to give them when it enacted the Consumer Fraud Act.

HB 262: Data Brokers and Consumer Protections - INTRODUCED AND ASSIGNED TO HOUSE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

SB 104: Unclaimed Property - PASSED

Proposes providing consumers with information on how their personal information is being used by data brokers.

Clarifies various aspects of the State’s procedures to operate its unclaimed property program, including promoting and determining holder compliance, processing owner claims, and preventing fraudulent claims.

DSCC OPPOSED: SB 15: Minimum Wage - PASSED Gradually increases Delaware’s minimum wage to $15/ hr over a period of several years. Starts at $10.50 per hour effective January 1, 2022; $11.75/hr. Jan 1, 2023; $13.25/ hr. Jan 1, 2024; $15/hr. Jan 1, 2025.

HB 150: Legalization of Recreational Marijuana - VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE IN HOUSE,

PLACED ON READY LIST

HB 88: Youth & Training Wage - PASSED

The Delaware Marijuana Control Act regulates and taxes marijuana in the same manner as alcohol. Allows adults over the age of 21 to legally possess and consume under 1 ounce of marijuana for personal use.

Removes the training minimum wage and youth minimum wage, which takes effect 90 days after enactment.

SB 1: Healthy Delaware Families Act -

HB 94: Tipped Wages - CURRENTLY IN HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Ensures that employees who receive tips or gratuities also receive a minimum wage increase when other employees in the State receive a minimum wage increase.

INTRODUCED AND ASSIGNED TO SENATE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE Creates a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program in which Delaware employees can access up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave through the State’s paid leave trust fund for a qualifying event.

HB 64: Personal Income Tax - DEFEATED IN HOUSE

Proposed creating three new personal income tax brackets for high earners at $125,000, with a rate of 7.10%, at $250,000, with a rate of 7.85%, and at $500,000, with a rate of 8.6%.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Partnering to help create opportunities Last year, Bank of America committed $1.25 billion over five years to advance racial equality and economic opportunity. To date, we’ve directly funded or invested one-third of this amount on top of long-standing efforts to make an impact in our communities and address society’s greatest challenges. Here are some of the ways we’re working to make a difference: • Investing $300 million in 100 minority-owned and minority-led equity funds. This will help diverse entrepreneurs and small business owners create more jobs, financial stability and growth. • Investing $36 million in 21 Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) banks that support minority-owned businesses. This is in addition to approximately $100 million in deposits to MDIs and our existing CDFI portfolio of more than $2 billion, which helps build pathways to economic vitality in local markets. • Providing funding and support through innovative programs and partnerships with community colleges, universities and nonprofits, including Delaware State University, that offer training and credentialing programs connecting more people to high-wage, in-demand careers. We’re doing this work in collaboration with community partners, business leaders, experts and academics across the public and private sectors to ensure that our investments are directed where they’re needed most. Together, we can help drive sustainable progress in Delaware. What would you like the power to do? ®

Chip Rossi President, Bank of America Delaware

Learn more at bankofamerica.com/delaware

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Member

news&Notes

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

Delmarva Central Railroad

The railroad has been a prevalent part of American history for nearly 200 years. Technological innovation, advances in transportation, and expansion westward would have never happened without the existence of railroad lines. Today, freight railroads have become almost forgotten, yet remain an extremely vital part of the supply chain. The Delmarva Central Railroad, a subsidiary of Carload Express that operates 188 miles of rail lines within Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,

››

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

helps keep this industry alive within the Delmarva Peninsula. Through a competitive bidding process that concluded in December 2016, the Delmarva Central Railroad (DCR) was selected to operate an allocated 162 miles of track owned by Norfolk Southern on the Eastern Shore. Subsequent expansions and additional lease agreements followed shortly after, and the railroad currently spans from Porter, DE to as far south as Hallwood, VA. DCR serves over 50 customers on the Delmarva Peninsula, engaging in

BY REGINA DONATO

bulk transportation for a wide variety of industries. The number one volume of material they transport is aggregate stone. “The Delmarva Peninsula is basically a big, flat, sandy, pancake,” explained Cliff Grunstra, vice president and chief marketing officer. “In order to build roads and houses you need to provide a stone foundation, and railroads are an absolutely fantastic way to bring in that material.” The second-largest industry by rail volume the DCR serves is—to no surprise—agriculture. The DCR helps

Member

news&Notes provide grains needed to support the poultry industry, as well as ingredients like amino acids, an ingredient for creating chicken feed. “It’s pretty fair to say that the poultry industry on the Delmarva Peninsula would not be what it is today without the railroad,” remarked Grunstra. The railroad also hauls fertilizers, plastic resins, sugar, and imports lumber and building materials into the area. In many instances, hauling bulk material via rail is cost effective, environmentally friendly, and more efficient than shipping by truck. Transporting freight with trucks typically yields 100 to 150 tons-miles per gallon, while freight rail-

roads average roughly 500 ton-miles per gallon, with some specific rail moves obtaining even greater efficiency. For environmentally conscious organizations, shipping by means of rail might be a more attractive option. Rail transportation can also help clear congestion and reduce wear and tear on highways and roads—which is especially helpful as much of the state is currently affected by major construction projects. On average, one rail car can hold approximately four trucks worth of material. If the DCR operates 30,000 rail cars in a year, they’re effectively eliminating 120,000 loaded trucks from the roads, or roughly 330 loaded trucks

every day. Assuming the average truck is 70 feet long, the equivalent of over 4 miles of vehicles are removed from our local roads each day. The State Chamber awarded the Delmarva Central Railroad the Award of Excellence at the Superstars in Business Luncheon in November 2021 for their vital contributions to the First State and beyond. “At the end of the day, we’re a small local business that is doing our best to grow the local economy and the job pool,” said Grunstra. “We hope to allow for folks to live in and enjoy this beautiful area of the country for years to come by keeping the railroad strong and vibrant.”

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

MS in Business and Organizational Leadership 18-month program, start to finish Fully online program 30 credit hours 8-week sessions Cohort based Professional faculty with significant leadership experience Research projects connect with careers (ROI for employers)

Learn more at www.neumann.edu/MSBOLDE

SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA

NU_MSBOL_DEBusMag_7.5x4.9375.indd 1

11/15/21 2:21 PM

2.24.22 Presented by Lyons Companies and the Center for Economic Education & Entrepreneurship SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Loretta Mester

Michael K. Farr

Hilary Provinse

Thursday, February 24, 2022 12 - 1 p.m. • Virtual Event This Year

bit.ly/2022EconForecast DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Member

news&Notes

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT:

Down Syndrome Association of Delaware BY REGINA DONATO

In one in every 691 births, a child is born with an additional copy of the 21st chromosome. Down syndrome, one of the most well-known and easily identifiable chromosomal variations, affects individuals in a wide variety of ways. All people born with Down syndrome display some cognitive delays, but the effects are not representative of the individual’s unique talents, strengths, and personality traits. Organizations like the

››

Down Syndrome Association of Delaware (DSA of Delaware) provide support and programming to allow these individuals and their families to thrive by reaching their full potential. Founded in 1979, the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware serves approximately 500 families in Delaware and surrounding states each year. “Our organization assists across the lifespan of an individual from the moment they

are born, to when they first start school, need a job, or are looking for health care assistance and housing options,” explained Executive Director Lauren Camp Gates. “We are there to support families through any step in their child’s life.” Within 24 hours of a child being born with Down syndrome in Delaware, an outreach team member sends a gift basket and information, welcoming their parents to the tight-knit community the organization has fostered over the years. As they grow, the child and their family have access to DSA of Delaware’s wide range of programming, including Yoga classes, bingo nights, summer camps, and educational resources. The hard work of their employees and loyal volunteers are the reason DSA of Delaware has experienced so much growth over the years. Camp Gates herself started as a volunteer when she was in high school and founded the organization’s popular Days of Summer Camp as her senior project. The program now serves over 200 children every summer. The organization’s other two full-time employees were also long-time volunteers. DSA of Delaware has grown to be one of the largest Down Syndrome Associations on the East Coast. While they didn’t have dedicated office space just a few years ago, they now operate out of a storefront office in Newark, featuring training facilities, a gift shop, and a community café where adults with Down syndrome can work and gain employment experience. They’re hoping to open a second location and expand into Southern Delaware within the next 18 months. “I think a misconception is that our organization only serves people with Down syndrome, but I really see our

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

organization as serving the community at large,” remarked Camp Gates. “We always offer volunteer opportunities. We also partner with many local businesses to both provide support for them to hire adults with Down syndrome and even work with them to offer joint programming.” Advocacy of this nature is even more important during a time where so many businesses are experiencing staffing shortages. It is important for employers to remember that those with intellectual disabilities are hirable and can be extremely loyal and hardworking employees.

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT:

Technology Committee BY TYLER MICIK You’ve probably heard the line that technology is everywhere, and it couldn’t be more true. It touches every aspect of our lives every day. Today, we are all dependent on our devices and the conveniences that come with them. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything it’s that’s we’re more dependent on technology now than likely ever before. At the State Chamber, every member uses technology. Technology is used from the manufacturing floor to financial services, health care, retail, and everywhere in between. We have members that not only use technology but also sell, manage, and maintain the tech of other businesses. Advances in technology happen at lightning speed and it has changed everything about businesses from the way they communicate, keep records, bill, develop products, and more. As the world shifts to become more automated

››

The State Chamber honored the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware with the Award of Excellence at the Superstars in Business Awards Luncheon in November—a true testament to their dedication to the individuals and community they serve, the success of their programming, and the smiles they produce along the way.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

with these advances, we need people who can manage tech, analyze data, and glean insights that help advance society and businesses. According to the IT Delaware Industry Council, one in 29 jobs in Delaware is in infrastructure technology. Employers need employees with tech backgrounds and data analytic capabilities. For all these reasons, the State Chamber is standing up a new Technology Committee, which will meet for the first time in January 2022. Policymakers face decisions about data and technology every session. The speed of change in the IT world will only accelerate and bring more calls for standardized rules. Our goal is to assemble a committee that will address those calls and help inform policy decisions. If you are interested in participating on the Technology Committee, please contact me at tmicik@dscc.com or (302) 576-6590.

Member

news&Notes

A lab managed for the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Technology Association utilizing ATSC 3.0 or NextGenTV television equipment to test the newest broadcasting standards.

DIVERSE SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT:

Technical Broadcast Solutions, Inc. Every single day, telecommunications drive forth business efforts stretched across all reaches of the planet. Broadcasting enables companies to provide messages directly to consumers, governmental regulators, and other businesses, ultimately fueling and empowering further business interactions. These interactions are a continuous cycle that is a tremendous benefit created by the efficiency and effectiveness of telecommunications in our modern world. In Dover, a growing business known as Technical Broadcast Solutions is making strides to provide telecommunications consulting services between large entities like the Department of Defense and local broadcasting providers to help maintain broadcasting relations and contribute to

››

satisfying the needs of our telecommunications-oriented society. Technical Broadcast Solutions, Inc. was founded in 2017 by Robert Russell, a consulting engineer who saw an opportunity to start a business of his own as others in his group were retiring. As a veteran, Robert started in his field as a cryptologist for the United States Marine Corps during the first Gulf War. This experience provided Robert with the unique skills to ignite his career in broadcasting, building from what he learned in transmitting and receiving for military efforts. “For this kind of work,” Russell stated, “there’s not a lot of schools that teach the skills and knowledge needed. Broadcast schools typically focus on the

BY COLIN HEFFINGER front-of-the-camera aspect of broadcasting instead of behind-the-scenes. It’s almost all handson learning in this industry.” “A lot of viewers don’t know the processes involved in sending video from its point of origination to where consumers watch it at home,” he continued. “The broadcast industry is immensely encompassing as it incorporates digital and IT infrastructure, network configuration, and even highpower radio frequencies to reach the home viewer. Our industry is always running, and we approach a project with the mindset that it needs to be completed now.” Technical Broadcast Solutions provides specialized consulting

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

services for spectrum management and broadcast solutions throughout the broadcast relations industry. Several telecommunications services provided are RF system installation and maintenance, systems integration and documentation, project management, and FCC licensing. Russell explained the impact of the pandemic, emphasizing that his business is “heavily niche and specialized” as the world relies on broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. “One of our biggest projects is a spectrum management effort in which we manage the relationship between the Department of Defense and the broadcasting community for spectrum needs. We understand what both sides are trying to achieve, allowing us to negotiate with local broadcasters to ensure that there is spectrum available for the Department of Defense.” “We’ve been fortunate to work on exciting projects,” he said. “We’ve worked on Next Gen television labs nationally and FCC licensing work for Kent County. We even offer our services globally. We’re in the works of a project to oversee the transition of analog to digital television for an entire country. We’ve worked with this kind of technology for longer than other companies and that has been a great advantage.” “As Technical Broadcast Solutions continues to grow, we are looking to branch out,” Russell highlighted. “We’d like to build more ties in our community. We’re offering a variety of unique services and businesses would be surprised at how much our company’s capabilities tie into what they do. Even if you don’t think our worlds overlap, please reach out to us through info@technicalbroadcast.com. We’d like to discuss how our business can help make a difference for yours.”

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Celebrating Gary Stockbridge’s Retirement THE DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER IS GRATEFUL FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce congratulates Gary Stockbridge on his recent retirement and thanks him for his years of partnership and service to our organization. Stockbridge joined Delmarva Power in 1997 and was named president of Delmarva Power (an Exelon Company) in 2005. He joined the board of the Delaware State Chamber in 2005 and served as board chair in 2018 and 2019. He also served as the board president for the Workforce Development Board in Delaware; state chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for Delaware; president of the board for United Way of Delaware; chair of the Delaware Vision Coalition of Delaware; chairman of the advisory board for the Chesapeake Bay Council of the Girl Scouts; chairman of the advisory board for Kingswood Community Center; and board member of the Delaware Business Roundtable. Stockbridge led the effort to create the Joint Military Affairs Committee—of the Delaware State Chamber, New Castle County Chamber, Middletown Area Chamber, and Central Delaware Chamber—and served as its first chair. “I first met Gary years ago in my role as chief of staff to former Congressman Michael Castle. We had mutual connections and I was struck by his friendly demeanor and levelheadedness,” says DSCC president,

››

“If true success is measured by the number of lives you made better because of your words or deeds, than Gary certainly fulfilled his mission.” Mike Quaranta. “I certainly could not have predicted that ten years later he would be instrumental in my hiring here at the State Chamber. If true success is measured by the number of lives you made better because of your words or deeds, than Gary certainly fulfilled his mission.”

Member

news&Notes

State Chamber awards Gilman Bowl to John M. Burris Wilmington, Del. (November 3, 2021) – In a surprise announcement at the 23rd Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business awards luncheon, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce awarded the esteemed Marvin S. Gilman Bowl to John M. Burris, former president of the State Chamber. His wife, Cathy and his family stood by

››

his side along with fellow State Chamber employees from his tenure as president. “Our family and those on the selection committee are excited to have chosen and now share that John is this year’s recipient in honor of my grandfather, Marvin S. Gilman,” said Brett Gilman Smith. The Gilman Bowl was established as a tribute to small business leadership. It is

named in memory of Marvin S. Gilman, who served as an exemplary leader and a paragon of small business in Delaware. The identity of the recipient of the Gilman Bowl was held confidential until its presentation at the awards ceremony. A Milford native, John Burris founded and served as president of Burris Bandag and Kent/Sussex Tire Service,

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Inc. in 1971. He also worked in the family-owned business, Burris Logistics as vice president from 1971 to 2021. He currently serves as vice chairman of MediGuide International, LLC and president and chief executive officer of The Burris Firm. Burris was elected to the Delaware State House of Representatives in 1976 where he served three terms, including the roles of Minority Leader in 1978 and Majority Leader from 19791982. He was the first Republican in 20 years elected to represent the 36th District. Some notable accomplishments during his tenure included leading the effort to save the Chrysler plant and retain 3,500 jobs in Delaware, and— as Majority Leader—helping to secure the passage of the Financial Center Development Act, which brought the state over 45,000 financial jobs. In addition to serving in the Delaware General Assembly, Burris ran in 1984 as the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate against now President Joe Biden and for Governor of Delaware in 2000. He joined the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce in 1990 as its president. Many programs that still exist today

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

were created during his tenure, including Delaware Principal for a Day, Superstars in Education, opening a tourism office in Bridgeville, creating the Delaware Public Policy Institute, and reengaging the Delaware Manufacturing Association—an

affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. “It’s people like Mike Uffner, Mark Stellini, Bill Topkis, and others who kept telling me that the State Chamber isn’t just a chamber to large businesses, it was small business who was the rock bed of the organization,” said Burris upon accepting the award. It was for this reason that the Small Business Alliance (SBA) was established to better connect the organization to

Delaware’s small business community and advocate on their behalf. The SBA named and created the Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business awards program, now in its 23rd year of spotlighting extraordinary small business and nonprofits in the state. “Many of the programs and initiatives we manage today—programs that our members believe in and are impactful to Delaware— trace their origins to John’s tenure as president of the State Chamber,” said Michael Quaranta, current president of the State Chamber. “I would be fortunate, as would any leader, to have that degree of success one day. His is a legacy of accomplishment.” “John has always and still is an inspiration to businesses in the First State,” said Martha Gilman. “It’s a privilege to recognize him with this year’s Gilman Bowl. He was not only the definition of a small business leader but he also worked hard to lift up all small businesses in the state.” “Ten of the best years of my life were at the State Chamber. This tribute means a lot to me, and it’s full circle,” reflected Burris.

Member

news&Notes Intern Delaware is Engaging Delaware’s Emerging Talent BY ALEXIS DUHADAWAY

University of Notre Dame junior Michael McKenzie spent summer 2021 as an intern at BPGS Construction. McKenzie majors in mechanical engineering and spent half of his summer in the office and the second half on-site working hands-on with the BPGS Construction team. McKenzie participated in Intern Delaware and won the Engagement Game, a summer-long effort to encourage interns to explore Delaware. The game included challenges to utilize the Intern Delaware app and get to know their peers, learn more about corporate partners and Delaware’s history. It also tasked interns to visit museums, restaurants, biking and walking trails, and famous Delaware events like the state fair. We had a chance to catch up with McKenzie and hear how Intern Delaware impacted him.

››

Michael, you participated in Intern Delaware. What was that like? What did you learn? I really enjoyed the program. I appreciated getting to connect with other interns in the area and the speakers. The signature events themselves were helpful as well, introducing us to leaders in the Delaware community. I tried to take full advantage of the game and its challenges to explore the state. Even as a Delaware native, I enjoyed discovering new places because I hadn’t really ventured beyond the Wilmington area. This summer, I went to the beach with my younger brother and on our way

down, we stopped at places that were part of the game. Typically when I drive, I don’t take the time to stop anywhere. It was cool to see Smyrna, the State Fair, and some of the museums. The program helped me learn more about Delaware and build my network here. Even though I’ve lived here my whole life, I still made so many new connections this summer, which was incredibly valuable. Intern Delaware helped me realize the importance of building your network and utilizing the connections you make along the way. What was your biggest takeaway from your internship? How do you think it prepared you for your future career? The biggest takeaway from my internship was how to adapt and learn quickly. I was working in a position that isn’t necessarily geared toward mechanical engineers, so there was a learning curve for me. I learned how to be a professional—like being timely and responding to emails or ensuring my calendar was organized. It’s a little cliché, but I learned so much from being in the field and getting “thrown into the fire”. As the inaugural and reigning champion of the Intern Delaware game, what advice would you give future Intern Delaware participants? Take advantage of the opportunities as

much as you can. It may not be possible to attend every event with your schedule, but if you’re in the program and don’t participate, you are missing out on so much potential. These opportunities are being given to you, so participate in the game’s challenges, listen to the speakers, get coffee with other interns, and attend the networking events. That’s how you benefit from the summer and make the most of the program. Intern Delaware is dedicated to helping build Delaware’s future workforce by keeping talent in the First State. The 2022 program will run from Jun 1 - August 5, 2022. Learn how your company and interns can become involved at interndelaware.com or by contacting Alexis DuHadaway at aduhadaway@ dscc.com.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Leaders of Waste Management of Delaware celebrated the company’s upgrade from diesel vehicles to trucks that operate on cleaner compressed natural gas.

Grants Available to Help You Switch to Cleaner Transportation Vehicles BY ANGELA MARCONI

Millions of dollars in grant funding are still available to businesses, nonprofits, and government entities in order to make the switch to cleaner transportation vehicles. Together with businesses and community partners, Delaware is transitioning to cleaner transportation and renewable energy sources that will reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions to benefit our health and help combat climate change in Delaware. The funding comes from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund, a $9.6 million settlement fund Volkswagen was ordered to establish by the federal government for placing emission “defeat devices” on almost 600,000 diesel vehicles sold in the United States between 2009 and 2016. The goal

››

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

is to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from buses and heavy equipment vehicles in the First State. The VW Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund has already helped several organizations. For example, the Delaware Department of Education leveraged the fund to replace 81 state-owned diesel school buses with buses that operate on clean diesel or propane. Waste Management of Delaware replaced 10 diesel solid waste refuse vehicles with trucks that operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). Most recently, The Teen Warehouse in Wilmington upgraded to an electric zero emissions bus. In January, the state will have another phase of funding available, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources

and Environmental Control would like to invest in businesses that operate diesel buses and heavy equipment vehicles such as ferries, tugs, construction equipment, forklifts, freight trucks and more, to upgrade to cleaner-fueled vehicles. Proposals for projects that seek funding from this next phase of the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund will be available in January 2022. For more information, visit de.gov/vwmitigation.

Angela Marconi is the director of the DNREC Division of Air Quality.

Member

news&Notes

Are We Having Fun Yet? ››

They say this is one of those good problems. Off-the-chart sales growth can certainly be great. But lack of raw materials and a once-in-ageneration labor shortage are making me wonder, are we having fun yet? The Delaware beach restaurants had the busiest year on record in 2021. Hundreds of retirees are moving to coastal Delaware weekly and thousands of second homeowners came to their beach houses and stayed. Business at the beach is definitely booming for hotels, restaurants, retail stores, breweries, and entertainment venues. Although this makes the pandemic seem all but over, we’re still feeling the long-term consequences. Supply chain disruptions and labor shortages are threatening to make even the most experienced operators question their life choices. Material scarcity for restaurants

BY SCOTT KAMMERER

has led some establishments to modify menus. Increasing freight costs dramatically increased prices for everyday staples. The increase in guest volume from pent-up demand has made it very difficult to create accurate forecasting for customer-facing establishments. Adding to these real and tangible challenges are issues like port congestion, which most of us never even knew was a thing. Changing consumer attitudes is another incredible challenge as screaming guests are almost a regular occurrence. There’s also a wave of digital migration in the pandemic aftermath, and many of the millions of new remote workers—who can now pick anywhere to live—have thankfully chosen coastal Delaware. All these challenges add up to test even the savviest of operations in southern Delaware and force us to focus on controlling what we can control. For SoDel, we

will continue to cook beautiful, simple food, develop the people we work with, and strive to make the world a better place. For me, discipline and flexibility are the hallmarks of the businesses best navigating these choppy waters by transforming existing models to meet these challenges head on. As we move into the new normal of 2022, we certainly will be faced with some more of these good problems. Buckle up for a bumpy ride and let me know when you’re having fun! Scott Kammerer is president of SoDel Concepts, which owns 18 business operations: 14 coastal restaurants, three sports concessions and a wedding-and-events venue.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Your group healthHighmark plan and your spending account together at last. Experience the oneness. With one home for your health plan and spending account information, one team supporting you, one customer service number, and one website login, Highmark’s Integrated Spending Account Solution is one super-simple solution for your business. Members’ medical claims are even automatically fed to their spending account — meaning one less headache when it comes to submitting claims. Contact your client manager or visit highmarkemployer.com to learn more about how Our Integrated Spending Account Solution can help your business achieve oneness.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

WELCOME New Members CHESAPEAKE REGIONAL RX www.ChesapeakeRegional Rx.com (302) 313-1088 470 Century Blvd. Wilmington, DE 19808

(302) 543-2100 37 Germay Dr. Wilmington, DE 19804

REVOLVE TRAINING & STAFFING LLC

(410) 670-7316 21 West Rd. Ste. 105 Towson, MD 21204

pioneer and a charter member

www.therevolvepage.com (833) 973-8658 1521 Concord Pike, Ste. 301 Wilmington, DE 19803

Chesapeake Regional Rx was

of the Delaware Marijuana Task

Revolve Training & Staffing’s

value to both independent agen-

founded in Wilmington, Delaware

Force. It operates Delaware’s

mission is to help thriving

cies that offer benefits and for

by pharmacists on the principle

first licensed medical marijuana

companies grow their

employers looking for a com-

of providing patient-centric and

distribution center and the

perspective businesses, by

prehensive approach to benefits

personal, and specialized care

State’s first and largest cannabis

supplying them trained, qualified

solutions. The VIS team is dedi-

to patients needing specialty

growing facility. Our locations in

and motivated employees, while

cated to best-in-class service

medications in the Chesapeake

Wilmington and Lewes improve

saving them valuable time,

paired with specialized optimi-

Region and surrounding cities.

the quality of life of Delawareans

money and energy.

zation to maximize the value of

First State Compassion (FSC) is a medical marijuana industry

by offering medical marijuana

is an innovative consulting and insurance brokerage that drives

benefits for both employer and

DELAWARE LIVE

products that help manage pain

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT INC.

www.delawarelive.com (302) 542-9231 30048 Stage Coach Cr. Milford, DE 19963

and alleviate suffering.

www.trafficmanagement.com (267) 949-6368 314 Bay W. Blvd., Bldg. 1 New Castle, DE 19720

LIPPSTONE LAW LLC

Vinton Insurance Services (VIS)

employee.

YOULEAD, INC.

Traffic Management, Inc. is the

(302) 593-6680 P.O. Box 139 Rockland, DE 19732

largest privately-owned minority

YouLead is a leadership

business

development program.

statewide news media company

(302) 252-1481 824 N. Market St., Ste. 1001A Wilmington, DE 19801

was launched in an effort to

Andrew Lippstone is a transac-

combat the national takeover of

tional and litigation attorney with

based in the

Delaware news.

20 years of experience represent-

United States.

NOVO NORDISK

ing corporations, government

TMI is well

DELAWARE POLYMER R&D

entities, and individuals in corpo-

equipped

www.DelawarePolymer.com (302) 200-8621 200 Powder Mill Rd., E500/2402 Wilmington, DE 19803

rate, administrative, and commer-

to provide

cial law matters.

best-in-

www.novonordisk.com (919) 215-4336 800 Scudders Mill Rd. Plainsboro, NJ 08536

Delaware LIVE, a locally owned,

class products and services

For almost 100 years, Novo

PAMELA BAUTISTA CONSULTING ENTERPRISES

that include traffic control

Nordisk has been translating

services, engineering, equipment

the unmet medical needs of people living with a serious

manufacturing/installation

chronic disease into innovative

products and applications to

(302) 344-3832 23111 Pine Run Milsboro, DE 19966

rentals, product sales, sign and 24/7 emergency dispatch

medicines and delivery systems,

help them innovate, solve prob-

Pamela Bautista helps

response.

like their insulin pens. Their

lems, and grow.

organizations optimize their

Delaware Polymers partners with clients to develop new

treatments benefit millions of

operations and transformation

VINTON INSURANCE SERVICES, INC.

people living with diabetes,

FIRST STATE COMPASSION www.firststatecompassion.com

leadership strategies.

www.thevisteam.com

endocrine diseases.

work cultures through effective

obesity, and rare blood and

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Advertise on www.dscc.com

With over 500 unique views per day, www.DSCC.com puts your online ads to work! Contact our digital advertising specialist today: Matt Volk mvolk@dscc.com • (302) 576-6571

Your Used Vehicle Can Make a Difference A vehicle donation is a great way to support the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware and a great alternative for you to take care of that unwanted vehicle. Your gift is taxdeductible!

DONATE TODAY 1-855-227-7435 carshelp.org DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

CHAMBER

SCENE

A YEAR IN REVIEW:

JANUARY - MAY

Marie Holliday of Cover & Rossiter was selected as Board Member of the Year.

Major General (ret.) Francis D. Vavala was honored with the Josiah Marvel Cup.

Las Américas ASPIRA Academy, Sussex Technical High School and Talley Middle School were Superstars in Education grant winners.

DSCC Board Chair Katie Wilkinson interviewed NBC’s Kristen Welker during the virtual 184th Annual Dinner. 36

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

JUNE AND JULY

The Delaware Young Professionals Network (DYPN) hosted their 9th Annual Golf Outing.

The Honorable Joshua Martin III keynoted Chamber Leadership in June.

In July, the DYPN held a happy hour at Painted Stave Distilling in Smyrna.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

sDelaware ruot dediuArt g dMuseum el ffats mstaff uesuled M tguided rA erawtours aleD rof ebtheir otcOart ruogalleries gnirud sduring eirellagour traOctober rieht fo .Networking tsafkaerB gBreakfast. nikrowteN Guests networked aboard the Kalmar Nyckel during an evening mixer in August.

rexim gnineve ruo rof tsuguA ni lias tes eW !lekcyN ramlaK eht no

Goldey-Beacom College hosted a networking breakfast in August. 38

Zookeepers introduced guests to animals at our Networking Breakfast at the Brandywine Zoo. Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

SEPTEMBER

The 28th Annual Chamber Chase Golf Tournament was held once again at Kings Creek Country Club in Rehoboth Beach.

Attendees were happy to convene in person at the Chase Center again in September for the Delaware Networking Station.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

Pictured from left: Jason Tyszko of the U.S. Chamber Foundation, Governor John Carney, Adam Lukoskie of the National Retail Federation Foundation, and DSCC’s Mike Quaranta. Secretary of Labor Karryl Hubbard led a panel discussion about workplace diversity and engaging new talent pools at Developing Delaware.

CSC Station hosted November’s networking breakfast, where guests could visit the new state-of-the-art coworking space. 40

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

NOVEMBER

SUPERSTARS IN Former DSCC President John Burris was surprised with the Gilman Bowl.

BUSINESS

1-20 EMPLOYEES Weiner Benefits Group, LLC

21-60 EMPLOYEES Harvey, Hanna & Associates

61-150 EMPLOYEES Adesis, Inc.

NONPROFIT Faithful Friends Animal Society

1-20 EMPLOYEES First State Elevator

21-60 EMPLOYEES Delmarva Central Railroad

61-150 EMPLOYEES Belfint, Lyons & Shuman,

NONPROFIT Down Syndrome Assocation of Delaware

Main Street Baseball CEO and Wilmington Blue Rocks managing partner, Dave Heller, provided the keynote in November. DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

THANK YOU TO OUR 185TH ANNUAL DINNER SPONSORS Presenting

Reception

Chairman

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

THANK YOU TO OUR 185TH ANNUAL DINNER SPONSORS Leadership

Ambassador

Advocate

tur

Cre

n atio

Kenny

y Famil Found

a su le s ta i n a b

DELAWARE

Small Business Leader ANP Technologies, Inc. Armitage DeChene & Associates Assurance Media, LLC Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, CPAs Blackwell HR Solutions Brown Advisory Chemical Industry Council of Delaware Cover & Rossiter DE Cadillac, DE Subaru & Kia of Wilmington Delaware Electric Cooperative

Delaware Prosperity Partnership Diamond Technologies, Inc. Easterseals DE & Maryland’s Eastern Shore Environmental Alliance, Inc. Evergreen Apartment Group FideliTrade, Incorporated First State Compassion Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health

milliCare Floor & Textile Care New Castle Insurance Ronald McDonald House of Delaware Santora CPA Group SSD Technology Partners VanDemark & Lynch, Inc. Wohlsen Construction Your Part-Time Controller Weiner Benefits Group, LLC *Sponsors as of 12/16/21

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Cover Story

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Better Growing through Science FMC’s Innovation in Delaware Impacts Farmers Around the World BY MATT AMIS | PHOTOS BY NICK WALLACE PHOTOGRAPHY

DR. KATHLEEN SHELTON always loved science. Her father was a scientist. She majored in biology at Notre Dame a few years after the college began accepting women. “I was always fascinated by the understanding that beneath the surface of what we see, there is something powerful happening, and I wanted to understand it,” she says. Today, as vice president and chief technology officer for FMC Corporation, Dr. Shelton has quietly orchestrated some of the state and world’s sharpest agricultural innovations. She leads an organization of over 800 scientists located around the world, with laboratories in India, Brazil, France, Denmark and the U.S. The largest site, the Stine Research Center in Newark, employs over 400 people working in chemistry, biology, regulatory sciences, engineering, and analytical science. Since its emergence in agriculture in Delaware, FMC has made major waves. In 2018 and 2020, the company earned “Best R&D Pipeline” recognition at the Crop Science Forum and Awards for the breadth of new molecules FMC is developing to address farmers’ challenges around the world. In 2019, it earned an American Chemistry Council award for its Sustainability Assessment Tool, which helps ensure the company develops and commercializes sustainable solutions for growers. In 2019, the corporation and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership announced a $50 million, three-year investment in capital improvement projects for the facility—enhancing its commitment to Delaware. The improvements include reconfiguring a state-of-the-art greenhouse and DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

research facility at the company’s Global Research and Development headquarters off Elkton Road. The improvements will also facilitate FMC’s plan to invest nearly $2 billion in research and development through 2023. FMC’s status as a major Delaware employer wasn’t always guaranteed. And Shelton played a significant role in keeping FMC in the First State— during one of the most high-profile corporate deals in history. A Philadelphia native, Dr. Shelton earned a PhD in microbiology and immunology before beginning her career as a bench scientist at the University of Pennsylvania. Ultimately, the excitement of scientific discovery gave way to the potential thrills of applying her technical skills to solve problems beyond the bench. She pursued a job with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Philadelphia office, where the microscope was replaced with a cubicle filled with toxicological reports and risk assessments. Later, Dr. Shelton joined DuPont and eventually rose to the position of director of DuPont’s Crop Protection Research and Development division, overseeing its Stine-Haskell Research Center in Newark where the focus was on discovering or maintaining pestcontrol products like fungicides and herbicides. But in 2017, the 217-year-old Delaware institution announced a merger with Dow Chemical, its longtime rival. It was the eighteenth largest merger of all time, and the resulting DowDuPont (later split into three separate companies) became the biggest chemical conglomerate in the world. 45

Cover Story

The merger was a complex transaction that transformed the global chemical industry—but there was one major hurdle. The European Commission, the governing body responsible for granting regulatory clearance of the deal, ruled the merger could be detrimental to innovation. Combining companies, officials said, created an unfair advantage for the new conglomerate—particularly in the crop protection R&D area that Dr. Shelton led. European Commission officials carved out a handful of DuPont assets that could not merge with the Dow assets. Then, FMC Corporation stepped in. In November 2017, the Philadelphia-headquartered company acquired DuPont’s Crop Protection business and the majority of its 400-employee Stine Research Center in Newark in exchange for FMC’s Health and Nutrition division and $1.2 billion in cash. As reported by Farm Futures, “With the move, FMC Corporation will become the fifth largest crop protection chemical company in the world by revenue, estimated at $3.8 billion. And it represents a significant change in the company’s corporate research and development culture, creating another player at work in discovering new products.” Former president of the Delaware State Chamber, Rich Heffron told the News Journal in 2017 that FMC’s purchase of Stine was “very important” for Delaware. What was in it for FMC? The long-running chemical company—which began in 1883 when founder John Bean created an innovative insecticide spray pump for California’s orchards—ceased its discovery operations in 2005, and had a strong need for the exact type of technology and assets that Shelton’s organization could provide. Today, Dr. Shelton is proud to lead a cutting-edge agricultural sciences 46

organization, where the local imprint includes the laboratories in Newark, 24 greenhouses, and an adjoining 250-acre farm in Maryland. About four million plants a year are grown there and then FMC compounds are tested on them. “We’re talking about crops such as wheat, grapes, tomatoes, soybean, cotton, and corn. Additionally, we’re growing over 15 different types of weeds because you have to grow all the weeds in order to test herbicides,” Shelton says. Dr. Shelton has always had a passion for sharing her excitement about what science can achieve with students of every age. As a former high school teacher and college professor, Dr. Shelton prioritizes inspiring and motivating students to see themselves as scientists. Under her watch, FMC is involved with Healthy Food for Healthy Kids to help build school gardens across Delaware. Recently, Stine scientists spoke to kids about the icky bugs and plants they work with during the Franklin Institute’s Halloween “Fright Night” events. The company is a regular, central contributor to local high school and middle school-level STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) enrichment programs around the area. And a group of FMC scientists teaches Delaware State University students, inspiring a new generation of leaders into their ever-evolving world. “FMC is proud of its presence in Delaware. We take our commitment to the state very seriously in terms of what we can contribute,” Shelton says, citing a successful relationship with the Delaware Prosperity Partnership. “Delaware is a great place to live and a great place to work. The state’s government officials and staff support a culture that helps drive business success.” “We are discovering and developing some really valuable agricultural innovation in Delaware. The work starts in Delaware, but its impact is felt around the world.” n Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

INNOVATING FOR EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE.

Rooted in Delaware. At FMC Stine Research Center, our scientists are leading the advancement of sustainable solutions to feed a growing world. Proud member of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

FMC.com DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Diversity & Inclusion

A Secret No More Delaware State University’s Tony Allen is paving the way for HBCUs BY STEVE H. NEWTON

WHEN TONY ALLEN ARRIVED at Delaware State University (DSU) as provost in 2017, his stump presentation for legislators, donors, and community partners carried the title, “Delaware’s Best Kept Secret.” Those days are long gone. DSU became the first Historically Black University to acquire another institution of higher learning (Wesley College in downtown Dover); developed into the nation’s number one provider of professional pilots of color; negotiated the first-ever agreement between an HBCU and the U.S. Agency for International Development; and received a $30 MM State investment to create an Early Childhood Education Innovation Center. Everyone in Delaware knows that the University is on the move. “It’s not that the University wasn’t already doing great things,” Allen says, noting that prior to his arrival DSU had chartered the Early College High School; opened a facility on Kirkwood Highway; raised its research profile dramatically; and became Delaware’s top provider of teachers, social workers, nurses, and accountants of color. “We just 48

weren’t getting our story out there for everyone to see. Once that happened, potential partners couldn’t wait to become involved.” Campus COVID-19 safety protocols (“We have the best in the country”) and a wide-ranging debt forgiveness plan that has affected nearly 2,000 students (“We honestly didn’t know we were starting a major trend”) have also landed Delaware State University in the national spotlight. Allen has appeared on The Today Show, GMA 3, ABC World News Tonight, ABC News Niteline, CNN, and the Black News Channel, as well as in Newsweek, Forbes, and the Washington Post. And in September, President Joe Biden tapped Allen as chairman of the President’s Board of Advisors to the White House HBCU Initiative. This appointment instantly placed Allen among the top spokespeople for America’s 104 HBCUs, alongside seasoned advocates like Dr. Harry Williams of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund; Lodriguez Murray of the United Negro College Fund; U.S. Senators Chris Coons (DE) and Tim Scott (SC); and U.S. Representative Alma Adams (NC). Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

The relationship with Joe Biden extends back over twenty-five years. “He took a chance on a young man fresh out of graduate school and made me his speechwriter and special assistant,” reflects Allen. That friendship has stood the test of time, with Allen most recently selected as CEO of the Presidential Inauguration Committee. Even before his appointment to lead the White House HBCU Initiative had officially taken effect, Allen’s “Dear Colleagues” letter to fellow HBCU presidents emphasized four critical priorities: • A robust mechanism to correct historic inequities in the physical infrastructure investments between HBCUs and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) that are desperately needed across our campuses. • A sustained effort for increased federal agency engagement to expand the research and scholarship capacity of all HBCUs across a vast array of disciplines, particularly those impacting people of color and low-resource communities. • Significantly larger allocations of financial support for students, particularly those from low-resource communities, to graduate with little debt for themselves and their families. • A focus on the specific needs of our smaller institutions that need direct support to continue their historic missions. Controversies will face Allen in his new position. HBCUs educate 3 percent of all American college students, but traditionally receive less than one percent of federal funding, as well as much lower funding levels from state legislatures compared to PWIs. Some advocates believe that Biden has moved too slowly on campaign promises to the HBCU community, and that the recently passed infrastructure package contained fewer dollars earmarked for them than should have been the case. “We have to be both assertive and realistic,” Allen says. “In his first year, President Biden and Congress have sent four times more funding to HBCUs than in any other single year in our history. That’s money going into deferred maintenance, hiring more world-class professors, and awarding Pell Grant support for our low-resource students.” He believes in the long game. “Princeton University found that, as a sector, HBCUs far outperform PWIs in terms of changing the life trajectories of poor students and students of color,” Allen observes. “And that performance happens despite decades-long funding disparities. Think about what we could do with equitable funding.” These days Tony Allen’s stump speech emphasizes “return on investment” to government, corporate, and nonprofit leaders. And they’re listening: the last two years have seen record-breaking donations and partnerships across the full spectrum of America’s HBCUs. Allen often closes with his basic article of faith: “Based on performance alone, if HBCUs didn’t already exist, we’d need to create them.” n

E S R E IV D T S O M ’S A IC R AME . U C B H Y R A R O P M E T N CO • Degree programs that connect with high-demand career fields • Aviation program with its own fleet of aircraft and 100% placement of pilot graduates • Only accredited Social Work bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in Delaware

• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities & major research centers on campus • Expanded downtown Dover campus • Home of the new Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences

SCHOLARSHIP

4-year, full tuition Inspire Scholarship available for qualifying Delaware high school graduates!

DESU.EDU 302.857.6351 | Dover | Wilmington | Georgetown

Steven H. Newton is a professor of history and political science and Presidential Fellow at Delaware State University.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Diversity & Inclusion

Fostering Innovation Through Inclusion and Diversity BY E.J. HENRY

INNOVATION, AT ITS CORE, is only successful when supported by breakthrough ideas. But how can companies cultivate innovation? With no shortage of challenges spurred by the pandemic and uncertainties about what is to come, the answer lies—perhaps now more than ever—with our people. At AstraZeneca we believe innovation is powered by an inclusive culture, one that is strengthened by the unique perspectives of people from across the world, including Delaware. This inclu-

“As the US Head of Inclusion and Diversity at AstraZeneca, I am extremely excited and energized about the progress of our inclusion and diversity strategy, our contribution to the enterprise, health equity initiatives and our racial equity ambitions.” — E.J. Henry 50

sivity and diversity fuels innovation, allowing us to push the boundaries of science and deliver life-changing medicines to patients. Disease does not discriminate. Patients come from all walks of life, and to best serve them, our employees need to be just as diverse. By embedding inclusive and ethical behaviors into our company, we strive to create an environment in which our differences are recognized, we feel safe and empowered, and our uniqueness is valued and celebrated. After all, our shared creativity unlocks challenges and brings new solutions. It fosters continuous innovation, constant learning, and propels our growth. Case in point: People from all backgrounds came together for a single cause—to slow the progression of COVID-19. As a result, AstraZeneca worked together in an effort to help in the fight against the pandemic. Without inclusion and diversity, this solution may have gone unfounded. To demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive culture and diverse workforce, our strategy focuses on three priority areas: empowering inclusive leadership, fostering a culture where people speak their minds, and building and sustaining a diverse talent pipeline. Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

This shows up in various ways at work, including an educational and interactive series promoting cultural intelligence and inclusive leadership capabilities; an annual Power of Diversity week that explores inclusion and diversity (I&D) in the workplace; and sound practices and policies on recruitment and selection to ensure a diverse talent pipeline. In Newark and Wilmington, Delaware and across the U.S., we have numerous employee business resource groups (BRGs) that strategize around I&D topics. These groups actively support local organizations that strive for equity and inclusion in our communities, including AIDS Delaware and their AIDS walk. The success of our business, and the communities in which we operate, are reliant on I&D being more than an idea, but a way of working. Not only does progress in this space drive meaningful change and eradicate inequities in the workplace and beyond but it is also the key ingredient to spark breakthrough ideas. If innovation is the goal, inclusion and diversity answers the question of ‘how?’. n

E.J. Henry is the U.S. head of inclusion and diversity at AstraZeneca.

What science can do At AstraZeneca, we believe in the power of what science can do to transform serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, COPD and asthma. We also know that breakthrough science doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through partnership. We created the Open Innovation Platform to help us establish partnerships that will lead to the discovery and development of new medicines. These programmes are encouraging like-minded scientists from industry and academia to share their ideas and know-how to bring life-changing medicines to patients – together. These collaborations could be at any stage of drug discovery – from the early idea through to early clinical development. To find out how to submit a proposal on your idea, visit openinnovation.astrazeneca.com

DREAM. DESIGN. SUCCEED.

The FinTech Building at the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus

Philadelphia, PA West Chester, PA Wilmington, DE www.bernardon.com

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Biologics in respiratory disease Eosinophils are white blood cells that can worsen inflammation in the lungs for people with asthma, contributing to poor asthma control and more asthma attacks. In recent years, major advances in the understanding of respiratory disease pathways have propelled us into a new era of developing medicines that deliver scientific breakthroughs to address unmet patient needs in asthma and COPD. VEEVA ID: Z4-21689 Date of preparation: December 2019 Date of expiry: December 2021

Diversity & Inclusion

Delaware Will Be a Majority-Minority State by Mid-Century Are we doing enough to build a more diverse workforce? BY MICHELLE A. TAYLOR, EdD

THE SUN WILL RISE one day in 2044—no one knows the exact date—and according to researchers at the Center for American Progress, the American Enterprise Institute, and the Brookings Institution, Delaware will be a majority-minority state. And by 2060, USA Today predicts that New Castle County will be one of the most racially and ethnically diverse counties in America. For Delaware’s business community, the challenge is not, “Are we ready to compete in this new future?” The real challenge is, “Are we doing enough, fast enough, to prepare our workforce?” At present, the data are not encouraging. Let’s start with something as basic as literacy. Most childhood development experts say third grade is a turning point in every child’s education. If a student is not reading on grade level by the end of third grade, school becomes increasingly difficult and the risk that a child will drop out increases exponentially. Today in Delaware’s eight most underserved communities, less than 30 percent of public school third graders are reading on grade level. In Wilmington, it’s less than 20 percent.

Not surprisingly, poor education often translates into low-paying employment, or worse yet, unemployment. In the fourth quarter of 2020, White unemployment in the state was slightly more than 4 percent; but for Black residents, unemployment topped 8 percent. Or we can look at the poverty rate in Delaware. According to the United States Census Bureau, the national African American poverty rate is 21 percent. In Delaware, the African American poverty rate is nearly 30 percent. And while less than 15 percent of White households in New Castle County have zero net worth, 31 percent of Latino households in the county have no net worth, and nearly one-in-three African American households have no assets and no real stake in building generational wealth. Similar patterns of racial disparity play out across nearly every socio-economic category, from high school graduation rates and college and career readiness to home ownership and health outcomes. No matter how we slice the data, one thing is clear: if Delaware is to compete effectively, we must do more today to address diversity and equity in our workforce, and we must do it quickly.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Many Delaware corporations are diversifying their work forces more intentionally, while working purposefully to ensure greater equity and inclusion, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, or other factors. But there remain formal and informal policies and practices, and a range of social barriers that can make it difficult for people of color to succeed in Delaware. To address these systemic issues, in the summer of 2020 United Way of Delaware re-launched the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative (DRJC) by applying a community impact model and stepping up as DRJC’s backbone operational platform. With new energy and a strategic vision, the DRJC grew quickly and now includes a diverse group of more than 250 people representing about 150 community-based organizations across Delaware. Today the DRJC is leading initiatives aimed at knocking down some of the systemic barriers holding back the diversification of our state’s workforce. As highlighted above, one of these is education. In the middle of a global pandemic, in collaboration with many of Delaware’s school districts, and with the support of the Longwood Foundation and several corporate partners, the DRJC stood up 27 learning pods in some of the state’s highest need communities. The goal of the learning pods is to close the academic achievement gap by supplementing in-class instruction with out-of-school academic coaching, tutoring, homework assistance, and wraparound social services. The DRJC also recently launched The Fusion Alliance, which aims

to help small and mid-size businesses that lack the resources of large corporations develop and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that align with their business goals and cultures. But these and other DRJC initiatives cannot possibly succeed unless business leaders from the majority community take an active role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within their own organizations and across the entire business community. Working through the DRJC, we’ve opened a dialogue with some of these business leaders. Our goal is to begin moving the equity dial in Delaware faster and more effectively by defining a short list of initiatives where the business community can focus its resources and to then begin driving toward that majority-minority future in a more intentional fashion. I invite you to be part of this discussion. If you believe as I do that a more diverse workforce is not just important but vital to the future of Delaware’s economy, please contact me at mtaylor@ uwde.org. Together, we can meet the future with confidence. n

Michelle A. Taylor, EdD, is president and CEO of the United Way of Delaware.

INDUSTRIAL

FLEXIBLE SPACE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

OFFICE

HOSPITALITY

Operating and managing over 3 million square feet of industrial, retail, office and hospitality space in the mid-Atlantic region.

BUILT FOR YOU.

harveyhanna.com (302) 323-9300 405 E. Marsh Lane, Suite 1, Newport, DE 19804

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversifying Your Supply Chain is Good for Your Business BY SHAVONNE WHITE

TO REMAIN RELEVANT in an increasingly competitive global business market, customers and clients will require diverse and robust supply chain options. Shipping delays combined with inconsistent product availability frustrate customers while stifling profit margins for businesses representing every sector. Now is the time to make a commitment to investing in diverse suppliers—business enterprises owned and controlled by minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with a disability. Supplier diversity is a best practice that is rapidly becoming a business necessity. Effective supplier diversity promotes healthy competition while increasing your network and attracting new customers. Supporting diverse businesses also fuels a diverse workforce. 54

Diverse suppliers offer different perspectives, drive innovation, and stimulate creative approaches that are likely to influence customer expansion and loyalty. Suppliers are also consumers, and like customers and employees, appreciate inclusion. Many have an expectation that they be representative of the companies where they choose to do business. Diversifying your supply chain will likely infuse capital into your bottom line and is a clear demonstration to your customers and employees that you support people and the broader community. Minority-owned businesses generate more than $400 billion to the economy and help to retain or create 2.2 million jobs each year. They also contribute $4.9 billion in annual revenue to local, state, and federal tax authorities, Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Diverse suppliers offer different perspectives, drive innovation, and stimulate creative approaches that are likely to influence customer expansion and loyalty. according to the National Minority Supplier Development Council. A growing number of large and small businesses recognize the economic benefit of diversifying their supply chain. Retail giant, Target increased their spend with diverse suppliers by 64.4 percent between 2016 and 2018. The company spent $1.4 billion with tier-one diverse suppliers in 2019 and pledged to spending $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by 2025. Committing to inclusive procurement practices and deliberately developing a supplier diversity program should be a priority regardless of the size of your business. How can your company start? Begin with an understanding that your leadership team drives company culture. Include employees at all levels in the planning process, incorporate diversity metrics in your existing goals, and monitor and acknowledge performance to ensure your program is effective and has the” buy-in” of all employees. The Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity’s mission is to increase economic opportunities for diverse business and small business enterprises. We can

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

support your company’s commitment to implementing a supplier diversity program into action. Our office maintains a directory of business enterprises owned and controlled by minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with a disability. The directory is a complimentary resource your company can use when seeking diversity in your supply chain. The directory of certified businesses and additional information and resources related to supplier diversity can be found at business.delaware.gov/osd. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office for guidance on your supplier diversity plan or if you have any other questions about how your business can diversify its supply chain. We are here to help. n

Shavonne White is director of the Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity.

Diversity & Inclusion

Together, We Are Stronger It’s good business to holistically address challenges faced by minority-owned businesses BY AYANNA KHAN AS OUR ECONOMY continues to reopen, recover, and rebound, we’ve learned many things from the events over the past two years—from a health crisis to civil unrest, to social injustice and racial inequity. Our experiences have shined a bright light on unique challenges as well as extraordinary opportunities facing Delaware’s minority-owned businesses. When reflecting on 2021, several issues are evident. Minority entrepreneurs often face systemic racism, difficulty in securing funding, and a lack of social capital on which to draw. However, there is hope in the form of support and resources at that are becoming available for the minority business sector here in Delaware. Programs to increase access to capital for underserved populations as well as business training support and mentorship are desperately needed. When more resources are offered, the number of successful small businesses will increase, and ethnic income gaps will reduce. 56

Minority business owners traditionally have less access to much-needed business and management skills that are important to running a company. In addition, people of color tend to lack access to capital and collateral and have lower credit scores. This can lead to higher interest rates or to more frequent loan denials. While people of color start businesses at the same rate as white entrepreneurs, there is a vast disparity in profitability, size, and early survival rates. One area of disparity that is most significant for minority entrepreneurs is the gap in business financing. According to one study, minority-owned businesses grew by 79 percent over the last 10 years. That represents a significant increase compared to overall small-business growth for the same period. However, the strength in numbers does not translate to financing. While many small businesses have been able to access federal relief to aid from the impact of the pandemic, some small business owners struggled Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

to navigate funding programs. According to one report on Paycheck Protection Program activity released by the Small Business Administration, only eight percent of loans went to African American business owners. Regular business loans for minority-owned businesses are typically smaller than for white-owned companies. For non-minority businesses with more than $500,000 in annual gross revenue, the average loan amount is $310,000. For minority-owned businesses, it’s $149,000. These lending disparities are driven by lower net worth, lack of collateral, poor or no credit, and lack of business planning and resources. Lack of access to monetary capital is just one barrier facing minority business owners. Another is a lack of social capital. Having powerful networks of advisors, peers, colleagues, and other business owners is essential for entrepreneurs wanting to market, seek advice, and lean on others. To combat this, the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce was launched to provide peer support ecosystems, networking opportunities, educational programming, and other resources to foster deeper connections between Delaware minority and non-minority business owners.

Unless opportunities and a level playing field are shared across all business owners, we will not have sustainable strong, ongoing economic growth. Unless opportunities and a level playing field are shared across all business owners, we will not have sustainable strong, ongoing economic growth. Together, we must work collaboratively to ensure equity by challenging the status quo. We need to unite our voices and interests to develop and support policy for sound business strategy and practices that will ensure a sustainable, healthy economy for an increasingly diverse statewide marketplace. Business diversity, is quite simply good business. The Delaware business sector and the broader economy works best when prosperity is widely shared, especially among historically marginalized populations or those who have faced barriers to opportunity. An inclusive economy is representative of all interests in society—major and minority population groups, women and men, every generation and ethnicity. Fostering an inclusive economy requires a holistic approach that includes government, the private sector, and communities. We are the bridge to an equitable, sustainable economy. The entire economy will reap the rewards of increased innovation, healthy competition, improved products and services, and a thriving marketplace when all sector participants are seated equally at the table. Together, we are stronger. We have a unique opportunity now to ensure that Delaware’s economy works for all. n

Ayanna Khan is founder, president and CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Advocacy & Economic Development

Investing in Delaware’s Future

BY GOVERNOR JOHN CARNEY

THE PAST TWO YEARS have been tough for all Delawareans. For parents worried about keeping their children on track during a pandemic. For small business owners and their workers worried about putting food on the table for their families. But thanks to the efforts of countless Delawareans, we are moving past the COVID-19 pandemic. As of today, more than eight in every 10 Delaware adults has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Children are back in their classrooms full-time, and thousands of Delawareans are back on the job. Now, it’s the time to look forward. As we emerge from this pandemic, I firmly believe that Delaware can lead and be more economically competitive than ever. Unlike many states, Delaware was prepared for the COVID-19 crisis. In the years leading up to 2020, we worked with the General Assembly to more closely link economic growth with state spending. We directed surplus revenues into one-time capital projects and built a new $250 million reserve account—above requirements in Delaware law.

As we emerge from this pandemic, I firmly believe that Delaware can lead and be more economically competitive than ever. Those responsible budgeting practices are what Delaware taxpayers expect. They also prevented the need for painful budget cuts or tax increases during the pandemic, as we’ve seen in other states. And they helped us pass the largest infrastructure plan in Delaware history, which will help create jobs statewide and drive our economy forward over the coming years. With the help of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and investments approved by the Delaware General Assembly, Delaware will invest an additional $1.2 billion in transportation infrastructure. We’ll build charging stations to support a transition to electric vehicles, connect all Delawareans with high-speed broadband, and modernize our water infrastructure. That’s how we make sure all Delaware families have a chance to succeed. We’re also making important investments at the state level that will help attract new jobs to Delaware. We’re investing $10 mil58

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

lion in site readiness to prepare sites for commercial and industrial development. We’ve created a new Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund to help make improvements that will support job-creating projects. We’re working in collaboration with the private sector through the Delaware Prosperity Partnership to promote our state to employers large and small. Together, we have attracted or supported the expansion of a number of companies statewide, including U.S. Corrugated in Dover, STA Pharmaceutical in Middletown, Amazon in Newport, and Miller Metal in Bridgeville. And, importantly, we are investing in Delaware’s workforce. In the fall, at Delaware Technical Community College, we announced an unprecedented public-private investment in job training. We’re expanding Pathways programs in Delaware high schools and middle schools. By 2024, more than 80 percent of all public high school students in Delaware will be enrolled in some form of job training. And we’re focusing on indemand skills training for students and adults, including programs for health care, logistics, IT, and finance. The fact is, Delaware remains a tremendous place for companies of any size to put down roots, grow, and create good-paying jobs. We have a world-class workforce, a strategic location along I-95, responsive leadership in the public and private sectors, and great communities to raise a family. I firmly believe that Delaware’s best days are ahead. n

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Robert L. Byrd, Partner (302) 530-4531 · Robert.Byrd@byrdgomes.com Rebecca Byrd, Esq., Partner (302) 690-4992 · Rebecca.Byrd@byrdgomes.com Kimberly Gomes, Partner (302) 530-9093 · Kim.Gomes@byrdgomes.com Carrie Cole, Operations (302) 757-8300 · Carrie.Cole@byrdgomes.com (302) 757-8300 phone (302) 322-6000 fax www.byrdgomes.com

10 Corporate Circle Suite 215 New Castle, DE 19720

Advocacy & Economic Development

Smart Use of Funds Will Yield Long-term Benefits BY ROBERT W. PERKINS

AS THE STATE CONTINUES to cope with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative now more than ever for state leaders to enact economic policies that will make Delaware more attractive to existing and potential new employers. And importantly, with billions of federal funds coming to Delaware through the American Rescue Plan Act and the infrastructure bill, the state must intensify its efforts to become more efficient in permitting processes to attract and retain businesses. Without such an effort, we risk sending some of those federal funds back to Washington, since they come with strict timelines for allocation and expenditure. Delaware already has taken important steps in response to the economic fallout from the pandemic. Last year with Governor Carney’s leadership, the General Assembly approved a Site Readiness Fund to help create approved sites for businesses to build needed facilities and 60

create jobs. This fund will enable the Delaware Prosperity Partnership to market strategic locations to businesses interested in bringing jobs to Delaware. With the support of the Workforce Development Board and other partners, the State established Forward Delaware, a program designed to help jobseekers find skills training and employers connect with a qualified workforce. Governor Carney also has begun to identify important areas where federal funds can be put to wise use, such as investing in broadband capabilities, housing initiatives, early childhood education and child care providers, creating the Community Investment Recovery fund, and other projects. But this is just the beginning of a huge influx of federal funds coming to Delaware, and there is much more to be done. We must start with a top priority in our state’s fight to retain and attract jobs to Delaware—the proposed Ready in 6 initiative, which is Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

designed to make Delaware more economically competitive with other states by cutting the permitting timeline from 24 months to six months. This initiative is needed because the permitting and regulatory process is too slow and cumbersome, especially compared to neighboring states. Delaware’s current approval process places the state at a distinct economic development disadvantage when it comes to attracting jobs and growing businesses, especially since approval timelines in Maryland and Pennsylvania are closer to six months. These findings were included in an independent analysis conducted by professional services firm KPMG, which concludes that Delaware would be better positioned to attract high-paying jobs if its permitting processes were strengthened through better communication, increased efficiency, less paperwork, and more effective tracking and use of data. Recommendations for improved communication include creating a state project concierge to help streamline communication among state agencies; creating a permitting action committee to help with implementation of permit process improvements; and integrating information technology solutions among the state, counties, and cities. As for increasing efficiency and reducing paperwork, the analysis recommends creating a prioritization program for significant economic development projects; streamlining the Department of Transportation’s review process to ensure all departments review and provide comments on proposals

during the initial review cycle; implementing Transportation Improvement Districts in targeted areas; and implementing prepackaged approvals for targeted investment sites. Delaware can significantly improve the state’s tracking and using data to identify potential opportunities. The analysis suggests measuring permit process timelines, allowing regulators to develop key performance indicators to hold permitting agencies accountable. Data collection, tracking, and analysis is key to improving. Delaware has so much to offer businesses: low taxes, a prime location, and a high-quality workforce. A more favorable permitting environment would give Delaware an even greater competitive edge needed to grow, retain, and attract jobs, talent, and investment to our state. Doing so would wisely invest the federal funds coming to us for our long-term benefit. We are committed to working together with the Governor and General Assembly to strengthen economic development in Delaware to make the state more viable for generations to come. n

Robert W. Perkins is executive director of the Delaware Business Roundtable.

ADVANCED CANCER CARE

One Great Team, Two Convenient Locations

404

Beebe’s fully accredited oncology program gives you confidence in your cancer treatment with a large team of highly trained physicians, nurses, and staff who are committed to providing a compassionate, personal experience. Through our use of the latest technology and participation in clinical trials, we deliver comprehensive treatment and strive to provide hope and a cure. With the Tunnell Cancer Center and the South Coastal Cancer Center, the best care is close to home.

113

Scan the code to learn about Beebe’s comprehensive cancer care program.

MEDICAL GROUP DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Advocacy & Economic Development

A Job at the End of the Tunnel CONTRIBUTED BY THE DELAWARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

THE DELAWARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Board (DWDB) provides leadership and resources to develop a skilled workforce that is responsive to the evolving needs of business and communities. By doing so, employers, job seekers, and youth are aware of, see value in, and actively use DWDB’s services. Our goals are to move Delaware residents toward self-sufficiency, support the workforce needs and competitiveness of industries that fuel Delaware’s economy, and build a responsive and agile workforce system—statewide and locally.

How do we do that, and what do we really do? In the past, the DWDB has been tasked with aligning workforce dollars—both state and federal—to training programs. We’ve focused on reporting and compliance, which is important, but is it enough? Recently the governor appointed a new chair, Scott Malfitano from CSC, and a new executive director, Joanna Staib. We believe with change comes new energy, new ideas, and new ways of doing things.

credential attainment, completion of high school or GED program, and ensuring our graduating seniors are college and/or career ready. The Adult Dislocated Worker Committee, chaired by Alisha Bryson, will focus on high-demand occupation programs that train or strengthen the skills of Delaware’s adult and dislocated workers, particularly in essential career tracts. The group will work with providers to identify customized job training programs centered on data-determined needs. In addition, this committee will investigate opportunities for businesses to grow their own training programs. Our priority will be to invest in businesses that provide training for current lower-level employees so they can advance within their company. Finally, the new Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by Paul Herdman, will guide the DWDB’s achievement of its overarching goals, objectives, priorities, and activities. It will track the Board’s progress and support the Board and its committees in the development of metrics setting, data collection, and data reporting.

How will DWDB achieve our goals? So, what are the changes? First, ensuring everyone in the state knows the DWDB has a statewide mission. We will be expanding connections to better engage Sussex and Kent Counties so that they have a voice on the Board. Also, several new committees were created. The Business Engagement Committee, co-chaired by Kurt Foreman and Mike Quaranta, will work to close the skills gap experienced by employers and develop and prioritize workforce activities. A main goal of this group will involve employers in the process. The workforce of tomorrow cannot be trained if we don’t know the needs and aspirations of our businesses. The Youth Committee, chaired by Nello Paoli, will work with our school systems to provide guidance on how to build the workforce pipeline. The committee will provide recommendations on life skills training, expanding work-based learning opportunities, career exploration and exposure, 62

We need to think out of the box and invest wisely and: • Focus on Delaware’s business growth verticals • Work with businesses to develop and design curriculum to fill vacant jobs • Track results to show how we’re performing as a state • Introduce data driven artificial intelligence • Invest in training opportunities and ensure child care is available • Reduce the duplication of efforts by having our partners look to DWDB as a clearinghouse for all things workforce related As we emerge from this pandemic, we must rethink workforce development. We have an opportunity to rebuild our local economy in a way that respects our workers, brings opportunity to communities, and works in unison with our state’s businesses. We must connect individuals to training opportunities and strengthen the pathways to good paying jobs. We need to give them a job at the end of the tunnel. n Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Advocacy & Economic Development

The Future of Work Developing a workforce strategy reflective of the workforce BY RON PAINTER

IN SOME RESPECTS, I am less susceptible to market-induced strain than the average businessperson. This can be one limitation of a workforce professional’s perspective. On the other hand, it is also an attribute: I am permitted to operate and observe in a lesser state of anxiety, and so sometimes a greater state of clarity. I have the privilege—and mandate—of looking at the U.S. labor market from 20,000 feet high, with an eye toward the horizon. Plus, in the end I am buffeted by many of the same labor market conditions as all of you. I too have been navigating employees’ shifting perspectives on the nature and rewards of work. There are trends which we in the workforce industry may see, now, that others do not. This is our job. And there are also questions which persist no matter how high above the ground level we fly. Their answers may only come in hindsight, once the maelstrom of the moment is behind us. Let me suggest some things we know and some things I speculate.

WHAT WE KNOW: • The labor force participation rates, particularly for men in the prime working years (age 24-55) are at some of the lowest levels recorded. • Public policies enacted in eras past have imprisoned more that 3 million people—disproportionately black males, and most of them nonviolent offenders—who are sidelined from the workforce upon release. • More baby boomers left the labor market over the last 18 months than would have been expected. They took critical skills and expertise with them and tightened the market as a whole. • Fewer people are aging into the labor market than out, as U.S. birth rates are below replacement levels. • The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) reported a 37 percent increase in robotics sales in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, with much of that activity coming from industry sectors outside traditional sector-leads. • Research on the introduction of automation suggests significant job stability and growth for high-skill and entry-level jobs, but a decline in middle-skill jobs. DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

I SPECULATE THAT: • From demographic trends, the workforce of the next decade is, for the most part, already in the labor force. • The immediate mega-trends of growth in remote work and decay in workforce participation will have consequences for how work is accomplished, how businesses recruit, and how workers interact with automation. • Everybody likes to speculate, and this itself has consequences: these megatrends, which are already topics of interest, will provide thinktanks, policymakers, and pundits endless opportunity for research and white papers and conversation, which may have a further reinforcing effect, making these trends increasingly more visible and more salient. I think that every business needs a workforce strategy that is its own—one reflective of its work product, labor needs, community, and crucially, its culture. Perhaps more than ever, a company’s core values–– its purpose, and how it relates to its workforce and stakeholders–– are understood to be important. Workforce development boards should be focused on the regional labor market and the skills that market demands. The ways those skills can be obtained provide an essential service to their region’s job seekers, businesses, and policymakers. Workforce boards who are engaged in rigorous, data-driven study of the demographics of their workforce and intently focused on partnerships with their community’s transportation, housing, education, health care, and child care networks provide an even more substantial value, and I think that they will become increasingly the norm. All the noise of the moment aside, I believe that the next big challenge for business, workforce, and country is bridge-building which honors the human side of the ledger. These times carry great potential. We are all learners and innovators in this changing world if we embrace our opportunities to be. n

Ron Painter is the president & CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards.

Advocacy & Economic Development

Delaware’s Fiscal Picture Smooth navigation through uncharted waters BY RICK GEISENBERGER

STARING INTO THE COVID-19 ABYSS in April 2020, members of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) could not have predicted the strength and speed of the State’s fiscal recovery. Yet just 15 months later, Governor Carney signed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget that included landmark investments in education, health, safety, transportation, and clean water infrastructure. Extraordinary federal stimulus, low interest rates, stock market gains, and corporate profits all combined to drive 17 percent growth in State revenues between FY19 and FY21. Realty transfer, corporate income, and corporate franchise taxes grew a remarkable 53 percent, 42 percent, and 20 percent respectively over the two-year period. Some of these gains have likely crested. However, low interest rates continue to fuel strong realty transfer tax growth; federal stimulus and inflation are driving gross receipts tax growth; and a returning workforce, higher wages, and capital gains are boosting personal income tax collections. Conversely, significant headwinds remain including pandemic uncertainty, supply chain issues and inflation. Whichever way the wind blows, Delaware is well-positioned fiscally to navigate these uncharted waters. Beginning in 2018, Governor Carney and the General Assembly partnered to dramatically reduce the State’s tendency to budgetary “feast or famine”. The concept, known as budget stabilization, benchmarks operating budget growth at an economically sustainable level and dedicates “extraordinary” revenue to one-time expenditures such as investments in technology and infrastructure and added reserves to help weather future downturns. For FY19 and FY20, the State enacted budgets slightly above the advisory benchmark growth rate set by DEFAC. Extraordinary revenues in those two years funded $373 million in infrastructure projects and 64

created a Budget Stabilization Fund (BSF) that reached $126 million. Then, facing a pandemic-induced shortfall in FY21, the General Assembly prevented any budget cuts or tax increases by appropriating half the BSF. In FY22, the Governor signed a budget that increased slightly above the benchmark while dedicating a record $692 million for one-time capital investments and boosting the BSF to $287 million— about 5 percent of State revenues. Budget stabilization has been shown to work in good times and bad. Now it’s time to further institutionalize these fiscal practices by placing in the Delaware Code the advisory benchmark and BSF that originated in Executive Order 21 and recent budget acts. This will codify the practice of building strong reserves in good times so the State is less reliant on budget cuts and tax increases during downturns. And with stronger reserve policies in place, the General Assembly can also modernize access to the State’s other reserve—the Rainy Day Fund (RDF)—which has never been used in 40 years. Rather than limiting RDF uses to the funding of unanticipated deficits or tax cuts, the RDF should be available for the General Assembly to address any severe economic downturn or emergency. Predicting the pandemic and its continuing economic impacts remains a fool’s errand. But staying the course set upon in 2018 and institutionalizing these practices, we can be confident that Delaware’s fiscal ship will smoothly navigate through storm and calm. n

Rick Geisenberger is Delaware’s Secretary of Finance.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

“Top tier

and the best in state.” Chambers USA

Banking Business Law Employment Environmental Estates Land Use Litigation Real Estate Tax

Mark V. Purpura

Doneene K. Jennifer C. Damon Jauffret

Robert W. Whetzel

Robert J. Krapf

Sara T. Toner

F. Peter Conaty Jr.

Beth A. Knight

W. Donald Sparks II

Stanford Stevenson

WWW.RLF.COM | WILMINGTON, DE

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Advocacy & Economic Development

Adaptation Resilience BY MICHELE A. SCHIAVONI

DELAWARE PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP (DPP)— Delaware’s statewide economic development resource—is completing its fourth year in operation. President and CEO Kurt Foreman sat down to discuss how the DPP team continued its mission of advancing prosperity throughout the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. What are some of the key learnings for the DPP team working during the pandemic? I think the most important takeaway is that in times of crisis, don’t stop. Who was it that said: “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste?” What we learned is to adapt—there is always a way to keep things moving and make progress. How we do things during a pandemic may be different than how we managed in more predictable times, but the key is to keep moving. What does the DPP pipeline of prospects tell us about what sectors are thinking of choosing Delaware? The manufacturing and logistics sector have historically been the source of most of our projects, and this year we saw science and technology increase substantially—the sectors are almost at parity. When you reflect on this, you can understand why. Delaware is steeped in a rich history of scientific discovery and innovation. Much of the intellectual capital that made breakthrough innovations possible is here in Delaware. That has resulted in a rich talent pool and tremendous intellectual capital in an array of science-based industries. And advanced manufacturing has also benefitted from the foundational work of companies like DuPont with more than two centuries of experience and know how. We think this blend has made Delaware a distinctive place for startups in a broad spectrum of 66

industry sectors. Lots of regions use the “I” word, but in Delaware we truly are focused on innovating—it is a part of our DNA and that is getting the attention of companies looking to grow and relocate. Are there other attributes that are important for prospects when they look at Delaware as a potential place to grow? The cost of doing business, the cost of living, and access to talent are usually on the list of things that get careful scrutiny. The good news for Delaware is if you are focused on the Mid-Atlantic, you really cannot beat Delaware’s affordability—whether you are concentrated on the tax structure for your business or the cost of living for individuals, Delaware is a great deal. Based on the Tax Foundation’s most recent Location Matters report, Delaware has the most optimal tax rate for manufacturing. It also has the sixth-lowest property tax in the nation and the highest population growth along the northeast corridor. Add to that the new Site Readiness Fund, the Transportation Infrastructure Development Fund, and the new Delaware Lab Space Grant program, and you see that Delaware is business-friendly and focused on making growth and location a priority. What are some of the projects you found most gratifying this year? One of the larger projects that we collaborated with our economic development partners on was WuXi STA, a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that recently selected Middletown, Delaware, to build a new pharmaceutical manufacturing campus. The 190-acre, state-of-the-art campus is expected to open in 2024 and will add nearly 500 jobs in the first phase. This is WuXi STA’s eighth global manufacturing facility—the first on the East Coast. The Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Miller Metal Fabrication founder and owner Martin W. Miller, front, celebrated the Bridgeville company’s recent expansion announcement with, from left, DPP’s Becky Harrington, Miller Metal’s Michael Elehwany, Governor John Carney, Delaware Division of Small Business’s Jordan Schulties, and DPP’s Kurt Foreman.

competition for this project was significant, and it reflects on Delaware’s value proposition that this mega CMO chose Delaware. Having said that, some of our most gratifying work is when we help existing Delaware companies continue to grow in Delaware. I feel strongly that there is not a better way to attract new business (or investment and jobs overall) than to showcase and support vibrant existing companies that are growing here. This year included supporting existing Delaware manufacturing firms Miller Metal Fabrication, Siemens Healthineers, and Hologic, along with lab-based enterprises such as ThruPore Technologies,

Sepax Technologies, and Advanced Materials Technology, to name a few. DPP recently completed a new report on life sciences in conjunction with the Delaware BioScience Association. What does the report tell us about the life sciences and the sustainable chemistry sector for our region? Life Sciences in Delaware: Momentum & Opportunity details the growth and potential of an increasingly high-profile sector in Delaware. It points to the integral relationship between science and advanced manufacturing—and that there’s tremendous potential here in Delaware. As the report reveals, this sector employs more than 11,000 in Delaware and contributes $2 billion to Delaware’s GDP. n

Michele A. Schiavoni leads external relations, brand, and marketing strategy as director of marketing and external relations for DPP.

You create opportunities for your business. We help you make the most of them. How can we help your business grow? 1.888.WSFSBANK Member FDIC | wsfsbank.com

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Annual Report

Connecting People, Solving Problems BY KELLY BASILE

FOUNDED IN 1837 as the Wilmington Board of Trade, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce has a long history as the largest, most influential business organization in the state. Our mission is to promote an economic climate that enables businesses of all sizes and types to become more competitive in a constantly changing, increasingly global, and unpredictable environment. What does this mean for you and your business? Put simply, we are uniquely positioned to bring people together to solve problems, create jobs, promote business, and improve the quality of life for all Delawareans. The participation and support of our members contribute to conversations, ideas, and solutions geared toward the common goal of shaping the future of Delaware’s business community. One of the many 68

benefits of aligning your company with our organization is that you not only connect your company’s brand with the mission of improving the First State, but you become part of creating a better tomorrow. It may seem obvious that your State Chamber is connected to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But did you know we are also affiliated with the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Retail Federation? The Delaware State Chamber is also home to the Delaware Manufacturing Association and the Delaware Retail Council. When you’re a member of us, you gain the benefits and resources from all. In 1912, we were a founding member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—now the world’s largest business organization. Our connection brings Delaware businesses the latest intelligence on issues that are shaping the nation, premier events for entrepreneurs, and webinars, Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

guides, and other resources to help you grow your business. As a qualifying small business member of the Delaware State Chamber, you also enjoy membership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at no additional cost. This two-in-one membership offers: • Resources with how-to information on topics ranging from health care to taxes • A voice in Washington representing your business interests • Legislative alerts on pressing policy initiatives based on your issue interest Our connection to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) allows us to effectively advocate on behalf of one of Delaware’s most important and vibrant sectors—manufacturing. The NAM works for the success of the more than 12.8 million men and women who make things in America. Their work is centered around four values that make the industry strong and America exceptional: free enterprise, competitiveness, individual liberty, and equal opportunity. Our Delaware Manufacturing Association stands for these same values to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturers in the First State.

Put simply, we are uniquely positioned to bring people together to solve problems, create jobs, promote business, and improve the quality of life for all Delawareans. The National Retail Federation (NRF) is the voice of retail and the world’s largest retail trade association. Every day, the NRF passionately stands up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. With retail among one of the most impacted by the pandemic, we are proud to rebuild our Delaware Retail Council to respond to national and local policies that could impact the sector. To tackle a problem experienced across all industries, The Partnership, Inc. is our 501(c)(3) workforce development affiliate. The Partnership fosters private sector involvement in education to ensure we have not only a qualified workforce for tomorrow but also continuous training for those already in the workforce. This past year was pivotal for The Partnership as it renewed its mission and priorities to become better focused on workforce development and creating a pipeline of talent in Delaware. With a new and energized board of directors and recent merger with Intern Delaware, our members can expect great things from the workforce readiness pathway this group is building. The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce represents all businesses in Delaware—small and large, each diverse sector, from every corner of the state. Through our affiliates and industry-specific committees, we attract, retain, connect, and leverage champions of free enterprise who are invested in securing the future of Delaware’s business community. When you’re a member of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, you’re playing an active role in shaping a better tomorrow. n DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Annual Report

Facing the Challenge

How policymakers can address the multiple crises threatening our economic recovery BY NEIL L. BRADLEY

AS WE MOVE PAST the pandemic economy of the two years, America is poised for a great recovery—provided we successfully navigate three key challenges: the worker shortage crisis, inflation, and the growing movement to radically remake the rules of the road for our free market system. At the U.S. Chamber, we are calling on policymakers to adopt prudent policies that will help our nation address the worker shortage and tame inflation while avoiding policies that will worsen the situation and add more uncertainty to the economy. The worker shortage crisis The worker shortage is worsening. There are now 10.4 million open jobs, which is over two million more vacancies than there are people 70

looking for work—and there are three million fewer people total in the workforce today than before the pandemic. Our economy can’t grow when our workforce is shrinking. There is no single solution to helping fill these open jobs, but several things will make a difference. For working parents, expanding access to affordable child care is key, and the government can help with regulatory changes and targeted financial assistance. For the longterm unemployed, rapid, employer-driven skills training programs can help. The government should focus its resources on the programs that are most likely to get people back to work the fastest and introduce transparency initiatives so that employers and individuals can readily identify which training programs work. It is also long past time to increase legal immigration. The U.S. Chamber is calling on Congress to Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

double the number of work-based visas and green cards the government issues each year.

SOLUTIONS THAT BENEFIT YOU.

Inflation It’s no surprise to families or businesses that inflation is the highest it has been in 31 years. Rapidly rising prices distort and constrain the economy. Some of the inflationary pressures result from the pandemic, but others are government-induced, the result of excessive federal spending and transfer payments, which have left state and local governments with historic surpluses and consumers with over $2.5 trillion in excess savings. Congress could still make the situation worse. The multi-trillion tax and spending bill being considered by Congress would increase spending and transfer payments, increasing inflationary pressures throughout 2022 and into 2023.

Preserving the free market Perhaps the least well-known but the most significant long-term threat to our economic recovery and future growth is an attempt by some regulatory agencies in Washington to fundamentally change the rules of the road around competition and antitrust. For nearly 50 years, under both Republican and Democratic administrations, the U.S. has adopted a regulatory approach focused on consumer welfare and competition. Historically, the U.S. has eschewed government regulation to set prices or tell businesses what they can sell. Antitrust rules are enforced based on hard data and the goal of protecting consumers from monopolies that raise costs or limit choice. This approach has resulted in unprecedented consumer choice and convenience. Now, some in government, particularly at the Federal Trade Commission, want to change course, adopting a “big is defacto bad” approach that favors tight government regulation. Essentially, they propose a return to the pre-Jimmy Carter era of government price controls and regulation. It isn’t just big companies who will suffer; the result will be higher prices for families and fewer choices for consumers. For small businesses, it will mean less opportunity to partner or even merge with larger businesses to achieve the scale that allows U.S. companies to be global leaders. The U.S. Chamber is fighting back, including in the courts, but now we need lawmakers to step forward and protect the rules of the road that have served our nation so well. The American business community has faced challenges before, and we always rise to meet them. This time will be no different, but it would certainly help if policymakers spend more time putting the wind at our back rather than in our face. n

Neil L. Bradley is executive vice president, chief policy officer, and head of strategic advocacy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Put our People, Technology and Solutions to work for you.

kellybenefitsstrategies.com

Annual Report

Making the Future BY JOHN GOODEN AND RUSTYN STOOPS

WHEN YOU THINK OF MANFACTURING, what’s the first thought that comes to mind? For some, it’s probably dirty facilities that are dimly lit and old-school assembly lines. However, the reality is this couldn’t be further from the truth. Manufacturing is not what it used to be and hasn’t been for a long time. Manufacturers offer employees some of the safest and cleanest work environments and this couldn’t have been more visible than throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, manufacturers played a vital role in supporting our communities from making personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensuring families could put food on the table. The need for the products and services manufacturers offer has and continues to grow substantially, resulting in labor shortages. Today, you don’t have to look far to find help wanted signs. Manufacturers, like many others, are struggling to find talent. According to the Manufacturing Institute, manufacturers will need to fill an estimated 4 million jobs between now and the end of the decade. But as the saying goes, if you build it, they’ll come. The foundation has been constructed, and Delaware is once again a manufacturing destination. Despite misconceptions, manufacturing careers offer good jobs and wages. The sector employs more than 27,000 Delawareans, offering an average annual compensation of $77,000. Manufacturers are not only making the future, their providing a future for Delawareans and their families—and the Delaware Manufacturing Association (DMA) serves to support them. 72

The DMA brings manufacturers together to discuss their challenges— such as talent shortages—and find innovative solutions. The group strives to enhance the competitiveness of Delaware manufacturers, serves as an advocate to manufacturers at the state and local government level, and advises the State Chamber on topics that are important to the sector. This past year was a busy and exciting year for the DMA. The group held its annual Spring Manufacturing and Policy Conference on March 24 virtually. The event explored conversations around talent and featured Carolyn Lee, executive director of the Manufacturing Institute, and Governor Carney who has prioritized retraining Delaware’s workforce through efforts such as allocating CARES Act funds to establish Forward Delaware—a rapid workforce training and development program designed to upskill Delaware’s workforce. Similarly, with the DMA’s support and guidance, the State Chamber supported the passing of several pieces of key legislation in 2021, including the Focus on Alternative Skills Training Act, Student Excellence Equals Degree Act, and Elevate Delaware, all of which prioritize workforce development and skills training. These bills go a long way in moving Delawareans, who may have been underemployed or misplaced by the pandemic, into meaningful careers such as manufacturing. In 2022, the future of manufacturing could not be more exciting. The DMA looks forward to continuing to work with our national partner, the National Association of Manufacturers, to help industry grow and support the needs of manufacturers so they can continue “making” the future. n Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

2021 Delaware Manufacturing Association Board of Managers

185th Annual Dinner The State Chamber thanks this year’s

Annual Dinner Planning Committee: Chris Manning

CO-CHAIR JOHN GOODEN MDAVIS & SONS, INC.

CO-CHAIR RUSTYN STOOPS DELAWARE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

VICE CHAIR DWAYNE DANTZLER AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES

PRESDIENT/SECRETARY MICHAEL J. QUARANTA DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Nemours Children’s Health Chair

April Birmingham M&T Bank

Kevin Broadhurst Comcast

Bob Byrd

PATTI ADCOCK FMC

CATHERINE M. BASSETT MOUNTAIRE FARMS, INC.

JEFF COLEMAN DELMARVA CORRUGATED PACKAGING

TARYN DALMASSO EDGEWELL PERSONAL CARE

ByrdGomes

Denée Crumrine

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield DE

Jerry Esposito

Tidewater Utilities, Inc., retired

Donald T. Fulton

Weiner Benefits Group MICHAEL ELEHWANY, MILLER METAL FABRICATION, INC.

TOM EMBLEY PRECISION AIRCONVEY

JOSEPH P. FARLEY, JR. ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL

KURT FOREMAN DELAWARE PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP

Jason D. Gonzalez DuPont

Michael Houghton

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell, LLP

Mona Jantzi

Barclays US Consumer Bank

Catrina Jefferson TYRONE JONES BLOOM ENERGY

CHUCK MCCLURE, ATLANTIS INDUSTRIES CORPORATION

PAUL MORRIS DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CLARENCE NDANGAM PROCTER & GAMBLE

CSC

Don Mell

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Michael Pfeifer 1440 Film Co.

Rhett Ruggerio

Ruggerio Willson & Associates, LLC WILLIAM PAULIN KUEHNE COMPANY

ROBERT PRYBUTOK POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

JOE REINHARDT ALOFT AEROARCHITECTS

ROBERT STEWART CRODA

Chip Rossi

Bank of America

Fred Sears

Delaware Community Foundation, retired

Greg Smith

The Chemours Company

Michelle A. Taylor, EdD VINCENTE A. STUTTS DUPONT SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIVISION

STEVE WARTHMAN ILC DOVER, INC.

SENIOR COUNCIL LIZA BARTLE AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, RETIRED

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

United Way of Delaware

Katie K. Wilkinson Fulton Bank

Annual Report

Where Manufacturers Will Lead in 2022 After a challenging 2021, manufacturers set their goals for the new year BY JAY TIMMONS

LOOKING BACK at the challenges manufacturers faced in 2021—a raging pandemic, vaccine distribution, attacks on our democracy, unprecedented supply chain disruptions, a worker shortage, threats of a return to archaic tax policies—any one of them could have been a yeardefining challenge. Yet our industry faced all of them down as we always do: head on, and with a commitment to provide solutions for our country and our world. Manufacturers in Delaware and across America played a pivotal role in leading the country through crises and laying the foundation for our continued recovery. And as we begin 2022, though challenges persist, there is plenty of reason to be hopeful for the future. It was just about two years ago when the first news about coronavirus began to make headlines. Now, not only are vaccines and booster shots readily available in the United States, but a majority of the entire world’s population has at least one shot and even more treatments are becoming available. Manufacturers made that possible. Out of crisis has come innovation—not only in pharmaceuticals and the products we make but also how we make things. COVID-19 upended factories and shop floors, leading companies to rely more on the latest Manufacturing 4.0 technologies—from augmented reality and robotics to artificial intelligence and digital twins. Forty percent of manufacturers report that the pandemic accelerated their digitalization plans, and 85 percent permanently increased their use of digital collaboration tools—according to a recent poll conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Leadership Council. This increased adoption of digital technologies will make us more competitive and more adaptable. Adaptability will be a requirement for all manufacturers, as we continue to face the strains in our supply chains and our workforce. But again, the industry is focused on providing solutions. Last year, the NAM and The Manufacturing Institute—our workforce development and education partner—launched our industry-wide Creators Wanted campaign with a goal of closing the skills gap by 600,000 by 2025 and measurably improving the perception of manufacturing careers among parents. We have built a rapidly growing roster of talent, inspired by our campaign and tour, who are eager to join the industry. In addition, thanks to manufacturers’ years of advocacy, President Biden last fall signed bold infrastructure investment into law—launching projects 74

nationwide that will enhance not just our roads and bridges but also our ports, waterways, electric grid and internet connections, all of which will help manufacturers better serve their customers. The infrastructure bill— which manufacturers ensured did not roll back tax reform—was exactly the type of legislation the NAM had long advocated with our “Building to Win” plan, first released in 2016. To build on this success, we will continue to advance manufacturers’ many other policy priorities: expanded trade opportunities, comprehensive immigration reform, a more competitive tax code, and reforms to strengthen our supply chains. It’s not always easy, but the past year proved that even in a sharply divided Washington, manufacturers can help forge consensus. In all this work, we are grateful for the partnership with the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Through collaboration, manufacturers helped lead the country through a difficult 2021, and in that same spirit, we will lead the country forward into a more promising 2022. n

Jay Timmons is president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

WHAT ARE YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN WEAKNESSES? Risk is everywhere. It doesn’t sleep. It often shows up uninvited and at the most inopportune time. Manufacturers most trusted resource, the NIST-Manufacturing Extension Partnership, provides a step-by-step roadmap to help manufacturers address risk, increase visibility and create supply chains that function at optimum capacity. We’ll show you how to apply constraint theory concepts that address risk, and account for total cost of ownership, so you may make informed sourcing decisions that increase the flow of products from suppliers to customers, using a value system model.

To learn more about Supply Chain Optimization, visit www.demep.org or call 302.283.3131.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Annual Report

Rethinking Retail State Chamber relaunches the Delaware Retail Council BY TYLER MICIK FOR RETAILERS, the customer is king. For us at the State Chamber, our members are king. This is why we’re renewing our focus on supporting retailers. In 2021, the Delaware Retail Council—an affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and National Retail Federation—met for the first time in several years to discuss the issues retailers are facing and discover opportunities in which the State Chamber could help improve the retail climate in Delaware. Retailers play a crucial role in supporting the economy. Throughout the pandemic, retailers served as economic first responders as customers relied on them to meet their shopping needs. To survive, retailers adapted and found innovative solutions to continue meeting the needs of shoppers. They offered curbside pick-up and at-home delivery, held special shopping hours for at-risk groups, supported their local communities by delivering free meals to essential workers, and manufactured and distributed personal protective equipment. Today, retailers are continuing to experience constant change. Pharmacies and drug stores are playing a vital role in distributing the vaccine. Stores are experiencing sales figures that are equivalent to—if not greater than—pre-pandemic numbers. They’re seeing an increase in demand for in-person experiences as customers return to stores after mostly staying home for more than 20 months. On top of this, retailers are dealing with significant workforce shortages in addition to vaccination and testing mandates for employees. Not only are retailers economic first responders, but they are also workforce developers. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), one in three people’s first job is in retail, and 71 percent of managers across all industries value retail experience because valuable soft skills are learned. I had the opportunity to listen to Adam Lukoskie, vice president of the National Retail Federation Foundation, at our Developing Delaware 76

Conference this past October. Lukoskie highlighted their RISE Up program, which teaches students valuable, stackable skills that employers in every industry are searching for in an employee such as customer service, leadership, and problem solving, among others. As we move into 2022, one thing is clear: The retail industry is rapidly evolving. While challenges still lie ahead, there are also great opportunities. The Delaware Retail Council is back and ready to serve. We look forward

From left: Jason Tyszko of the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Governor John Carney, Adam Lukoskie of the National Retail Federation Foundation, and DSCC President Mike Quaranta at the Developing Delaware Conference. Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

to bringing people together with regular meetings and hosting events to tackle the topics you want to hear about. We will be the bridge to our national partner, the National Retail Federation, so that you stay up to date on national policies that could have a local impact in addition to working on state and local policies. We’re committed to listening to the needs of our customers—the retailers of the First State. n

2021 Delaware Retail Council Board MARIAH CALAGIONE DOGFISH HEAD CRAFT BREWERY

BONNIE METZ VERIZON, DELAWARE

MATTHEW CAMPION HOME DEPOT

KELLY OLSEN MACY’S

STEVEN CHAMBLISS CHRISTIANA MALL

MEREDITH PRELOH LOWE’S

GREG EADS GOODWILL OF DELAWARE & DELAWARE COUNTY, INC.

JESSICA STRAM TARGET

VERONICA JESTER JAMESTOWN HOSPITALITY GROUP

REID TESCHNER ANHEUSER-BUSCH

DANIEL LEARY T-MOBILE

DAVID VANDERWOUDE BEST BUY

MICHAEL A. MEOLI THE MEOLI COMPANIES

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Delivering World Class Service Highly Responsive. Experienced Professionals. . In our recent client survey, over 92% of our customers are extremely satisﬁed with the world class support they receive for advisory, audit, assurance, tax, estate and trust, litigation support, and investment holding company services.

Visit Our Website » belﬁnt.com

DE 302.225.0600

We are listening

» PA 610.537.5200 » info@belﬁnt.com

Annual Report

Despite Supply Chain Challenges, Shoppers ‘Won’t Go Home Empty-Handed’ BY JONATHAN GOLD

EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK NOW, stories are being written about supply chain disruptions. Many are asking what the impact of these disruptions will be for retailers. Will there be products on store shelves or available online when consumers want them? Will the disruptions lead to higher prices for consumers? These are certainly the right questions to ask. Supply chain disruptions happen all the time. However, we have never seen disruptions of the degree and duration we are witnessing today. Throughout the pandemic, the supply chain has been stressed with demand far outpacing supply. That applies not just to finished retail merchandise but also the inputs and raw materials needed by domestic manufacturers to produce their 78

products. Moreover, there are shortages of labor and equipment as well as limited capacity on ships, rails, and trucks to move merchandise goods and materials through the supply chain. Many of the operational challenges our ports and other parts of the supply chain are facing existed well before the pandemic, but COVID-19 brought these issues to the forefront and further exacerbated an already complex system. Despite these challenges, retailers worked around the clock to ensure that products were available during the holidays. With consumer demand remaining strong, NRF expected another record-setting holiday season with a forecast that sales would grow between 8.5 percent and 10.5 percent. That is certainly good news for retailers and a clear sign that the Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

innovative

ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL

Jonathan Gold is vice president for supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

solutions

Mixed-Use Redevelopment

Site Master Planning

Stormwater Management



CIVIL/SITE ENGINEERING  due diligence  planning & design  site engineering  traffic studies  approvals/permits  land surveying  construction services

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES  phase I/II esa  wetland/forest services Stream Restoration  environmental permits Large-Scale K-12 Campus  bog turtle surveys  brownfield/remediation



economy is continuing to recover. Consumers seemed to have received the message, with a record number of 49 percent started shopping before November and more than a third saying they did so because they didn’t want to miss out on key holiday items. The obvious question is what can be done about the disruption issues, and many ask what the government can do to “fix” the problem. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution for the disruptions, which experts agree will continue through the first half of 2022. It seems as if every segment of the supply chain is facing a challenge, which in turn impacts the other segments of the chain. There continue to be production shortages overseas because of labor and capacity issues. There is a shortage of empty containers overseas as well as vessel space. There are ongoing port congestion issues, specifically at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which account for 40 percent of U.S. imports and where over 70 ships are waiting to berth and unload thousands of containers at already full terminals. The terminals, in turn, are full because retailers and other cargo owners are not able to get their containers. Part of that is because of a lack of chassis to carry the containers, a nationwide shortage of truck drivers, and difficulty with returning empty containers. Retailers also have challenges with full warehouses and labor shortages of their own. The administration is certainly paying attention and trying to figure out what they can do, as evidenced by the appointment of a port envoy and holding a White House supply chain summit where NRF shared retailers’ concerns about the ongoing challenges. The administration must continue to bring stakeholders to the table to develop creative solutions that will not only address today’s disruptions but focus on creating a truly 21st century global supply chain. Physical infrastructure investment is key, but there must be a focus on information technology investment as well. A national freight data portal that allows stakeholders to better share information throughout the supply chain would enable partners to better plan and prepare for future disruption events. In terms of specific legislation, the bipartisan infrastructure bill just passed by Congress will bring long-needed improvements to highways, bridges, ports, and other key infrastructure retailers rely on. The bill also includes a pilot program for younger truck drivers that NRF supported through the DRIVE Safe Act. We now need Congress now to pass H.R. 4996, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021, to address longstanding unfair business practices by ocean carriers and port terminal operators. There will be many lessons learned throughout the pandemic, especially on supply chain operations. When the pandemic finally subsides and we get back to “normal,” we can’t just return to pre-pandemic operations. Retailers have been evaluating their supply chain operations from endto-end and will continue to look at creating more stability and resiliency for the future. n

Newark, Delaware Aberdeen, Maryland www.Landmark-SE.com

Aerial photos courtesy EDiS

Site Design

BIM Services

Accounting | Auditing | Tax | HR Personal Trust | Business Consulting

Proudly Supporting the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce www.santoracpagroup.com | 302.737.6200 79

Annual Report

A Realigned Mission, A Renewed Focus The Partnership, Inc. restructures to meet the needs of Delaware’s business community BY RICK DEADWYLER THE PARTNERSHIP, INC. IS THE 501(C)(3) workforce development affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. It was created to promote charitable and educational activities by developing and fostering programs that encourage private sector involvement in workforce development and education. The Partnership consists of four flagship programs: Delaware Principal for a Day, Superstars in Education, Intern Delaware, and the Delaware Young Professionals Network. These four programs combined establish a workforce development pipeline from high school to career. 2021 was an incredible time of development for The Partnership.

“Many people do not get the chance to do [Intern Delaware] and I find myself incredibly lucky to be a part of this program.” — Intern Feedback 80

To meet the growing and changing talent needs of its members, The Partnership realigned its mission and priorities to become better focused on workforce development and creating a pipeline of talent in Delaware. This led to the organization merging with Intern Delaware—a program dedicated to building Delaware’s future workforce by keeping talent in the First State—and rebuilding The Partnership’s board to include State Chamber members across multiple industries throughout the state. We were glad to bring back a favorite program, Delaware Principal for a Day, which took place October 18 through 22. The newly reimagined program included a career day twist and placed business professionals into Delaware high schools, specifically targeting freshmen and sophomore audiences. Visiting guest principals gave presentations about their career paths and industries and highlighted high-demand jobs. In total, 34 guest principals visited 20 Delaware high schools as part of this year’s program. “I was able to spend an hour with [the students] sharing about the work of the Delaware Data Innovation Lab and Tech Impact,” said Ryan Harrington of Tech Impact who shadowed the principal at Christiana High Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

“It was encouraging to hear the success of these individuals [on the Why Choose Delaware panel] and inspiring to think that I can do the same thing for myself.” — Intern Feedback School. “It was a bit of a full circle moment for me. I started my career in education as a secondary math teacher at Glasgow High School, which is also in the Christina School District.” Intern Delaware celebrated its second year of programming— and first under The Partnership—with seven signature events showcasing Delaware business and community leaders and four networking events. The program engaged 207 Interns from 30 Delaware companies this past summer. Most participants called Delaware home (79), followed by Pennsylvania (57), and New Jersey (20). Similarly, many attended college in Delaware (56), followed by Pennsylvania (52), and Virginia (13). Due to the pandemic, many internships were virtual, which allowed for participation from across the country—including Tennessee and Vermont. With goal of creating a stronger sense of community among the interns, staff developed an app to help interns communicate with each other as well as corporate partners and speakers, and even participate in an engagement game, challenging interns to explore the First State.

Tech Impact’s Ryan Harrington during his Principal for a Day visit. 2022 continues The Partnership’s trend of evolution and growth as Superstars in Education makes its return with a shifted focus on rewarding high school, post-secondary, and training and certificate workforce development programs. The Delaware Young Professionals Network will continue to grow and influence the next generation of Delaware leaders. Intern Delaware will return with a hybrid modality, offering in-person networking and educational opportunities for summer interns. The Partnership’s new board, intentionally selected to represent and oversee each of these programs, is enthusiastic about the future of The Partnership and its impact on the Delaware workforce development and education communities. n

2021 The Partnership, Inc. Board

CHAIR RICK DEADWYLER CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE

MICHAEL J. QUARANTA PRESIDENT THE PARTNERSHIP, INC.

MARK BAXTER RODEL

ANAS BEN ADDI DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

PATRICK BEST WSFS BANK

ANDREW COTTONE, PH.D. ADESIS, INC.

KELLY ANN DECURTIS DELMARVA POWER

NATALIE DI SABATINO DISCOVER

KURT FOREMAN DELAWARE PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP

DAN FREEMAN HORN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

RYAN HARRINGTON TECH IMPACT

MARK HUTTON M&T BANK

CATRINA JEFFERSON CSC

DR. LORA A. JOHNSON DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COLLEEN PERRY KEITH GOLDEY-BEACOM COLLEGE

DR. ROBERT RESCIGNO WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

YVETTE SANTIAGO NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HEALTH

KURT SCHROCK MOUNTAIRE FARMS, INC.

BRYON SHORT DELAWARE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Annual Report

Small Business, United Voice BY GRACE STOCKLEY

AS THE SAYING GOES: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. The Small Business Alliance (SBA), brings small businesses together to network, share ideas, and help solve problems with the goal of supporting new and existing small businesses in a dynamic economy, safeguarding their long-term competitiveness. 2021 may have begun with a slow start and with a lot of uncertainty for small business, but if the way in which the SBA finished 2021 is any

Dave Heller at the Superstars in Business Awards Luncheon

indication of what’s in store for 2022, we’re in for another exciting year. The SBA held its 6th Annual Small Business Day in Dover virtually on May 12 and 13. The first day, a policy education day, featured discussions about key policy issues like recreational marijuana legalization, paid family and medical leave, and site readiness and permitting. The second day—lobby day—attendees participated in oneto-one meetings with their company’s respective legislator to discuss these issues and their potential impact. The SBA’s marquee event, the 23rd Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Awards Luncheon was held on November 3rd. We were glad to bring the celebration back to an in-person format at the historic Hotel du Pont with added measures in place to ensure the safety of attendees. The keynote speaker was Dave Heller, president and CEO of Main Street Baseball, LLC, and the majority owner and managing partner of three minor league baseball teams: the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Billings Mustangs, and our own Wilmington Blue Rocks. Dave explained how close the Blue Rocks came to being one of the 43 teams cut by Major League Baseball. But thanks to his investment in the team and the support of state and local officials, the Blue Rocks secured a ten-year agreement with the Washington Nationals. With this “new lease on life” he shared his vision for the Blue Rocks and his plans to make the Riverfront even more attractive by implementing upgrades to Frawley Stadium. As Heller said from the podium, he and his partners are in the business of making memories. The 2021 Superstars in Business winners included: Weiner Benefits Group, LLC (1-20 employees); Harvey, Hanna & Associates (21-60 employees); Adesis, Inc. (61-150 employees); and Faithful Friends Animal Society (Nonprofit). The Award of Excellence Recipients included: First State Elevator (1-20 employees); Delmarva Central Railroad (21-60 employees); Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

d of

event, the 20th annual Marvin S. Gilman include: Promo Victory (1-24continued employees), Chambe include: Promo Victory (1-24 employees), in Business awards Ferris program, held employees), Home Improvements (25-59 Superstars in Business awards program,Cover held & Rossiter (25-59 employees), Superstars Cover & Rossiter (25-59 Kuehne Co DeChene, the SBA willemployees), be led by returning co Kuehne Company (60-150 on November 7, in the Award Hotel Home DuPont’s Gold Instead Senior and CareDelaware (60-150 on November 7, in the Hotel DuPont’semployees), Gold employees), Humane Association Environmental Alliance employees), and Joe Nadel of Colo( and Delaware Humane Association (nonprofit). of Ballroom. This year’s keynote and speaker was ScottCare for Children (nonprofit). Exceptional Ballroom. This year’s keynote speaker was Scott Kammerer, President of SoDel Concepts, who The Gilman Bowl was awarded to Martha Kammerer, President of SoDel Concepts, who told his compelling story of SoDel’s Gilmanamazing in a very special surprise presentation. told his compelling story of SoDel’s amazing success over the past 20 years. The SBA plans to continue its strong success over the past 20 years. This year’s Superstars in Business winners advocacy efforts in 2019. In Holmes additionSmith to the This year’s Superstars in Business winners Excellence recipients include: Finally, the SBA presented its milestone Excellence recipients include: Holmes Smith group of employers, however, they can speak with a very strong voice.” CPAs (61-150 employees); and Down Syndrome Association of Delaware include: Promo Victory (1-24 employees), continued Chamber leadership of James include: Promo Victory (1-24 employees), Consulting Services, Inc. (1-24 employees), event, the 20th annual MarvinConsulting S. GilmanServices, Inc. (1-24 employees), In & 2022, the SBA Small Business looksCompany forwardMike to continuing to of (Nonprofit). This year’s prestigious Gilman Bowl honor was awarded to DeChen Cover Rossiter (25-59 employees), Kuehne (60-150 DeChene, the will beFerris led Alliance by returning co-chair Vanderslice Cover & in Rossiter (25-59 employees), Kuehne Company (60-150 Home Improvements (25-59 employees), Superstars Business awards program, heldImprovements Ferris Home (25-59 employees), serve the small business community. Additionally, we look forward to John M. Burris, former president of the State Chamber. Environm employees), and Delaware Humane Association (nonprofit). Award of Environmental Alliance and Joe Nadel ofSenior Colonial nemployees), Association Award of Instead CareParking. (60-150 Home onemployees), November and 7, inDelaware the HotelHumane DuPont’s GoldSenior(nonprofit). Home Instead Care (60-150 employees), diversity on theCare committee. The SBA will As partThis of the group who founded the SBA in 1995, John Burris and Exceptional for Children (nonprofit). Ballroom. year’s keynote speaker was ScottCare and Exceptional for Children (nonprofit). increasing participation and continue bringing businesses one, was united voice to to Martha move the remarked, “Small businesses the backbone of our economy, yet it Thetogether GilmanasBowl awarded Kammerer, President of SoDelform Concepts, who The Gilman Bowl was awarded to Martha state forward. n is very difficult for them to have influence as individuals … As a [large] Gilman in a very special surprise presentation. told his compelling story of SoDel’s Gilmanamazing in a very special surprise presentation.

2019 2018 Small Small Business Business Alliance Alliance Committee 2021 Business Alliance Committee BoardSmall of Managers

success over the past 20 years. The SBA plans to continue its strong *co-chAiR *co-chAiRto the This year’s Superstars in Business winners advocacy efforts in 2019. In addition RoBeRt smith michAel vAndeRslice sAntoRA cpA gRoup include: Promo Victory (1-24continued employees), Chamber leadership enviRonmentAl of James AlliAnce, inc. Cover & Rossiter (25-59 Kuehne Company (60-150 DeChene, the SBA willemployees), be led by returning co-chair Mike Vanderslice of employees), and Delaware Humane Association (nonprofit). Environmental Alliance and Joe Nadel of Colonial Parking.Award n of

2018 Business Alliance SmallSmall Business Alliance Board of Managers Advisory Council GRACE STOCKLEY CO-CHAIR *co-chAiR FIDELITRADE, INC. JOSEPH RoBeRtNADEL smith CO-CHAIRPARKING, INC. COLONIAL sAntoRA cpA gRoup

MARK DOUGHTY MICHAEL VANDERSLICE *co-chAiR DIAMOND *CO-CHAIR,vAndeRslice michAel TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ENVIRONMENTAL enviRonmentAl CO-CHAIR ALLIANCE, inc. INC. AlliAnce,

den theRs

G.lAWRence KEVIN FASIC, ESQ., JOSEPH FARLEY JR. ESQ. pAm mARK doughty *co-chAiR *co-chAiR KencoRnfoRth AndeRson disABAtino OFFIT KURMAN JR. ASSOCIATES ASSOCIATES RonAld mcdonAld Bhi RoBeRt smith vAndeRslice delAWARe division of michAel disABAtino INTERNATIONAL, INC. house delAWARe sAntoRA cpA gRoup enviRonmentAl smAllof Business constRuction co. AlliAnce, inc.

y JR.

KIRSTEN MCGREGOR DALE MCDINE CHAD MOORE, donAld t. fulton g.John Kevin fAsic,e.esq. pAm coRnfoRth doughty (JAcK) heAly iii mARK stephAn lehm

NEW CASTLE ASSOCIATES BEACON HOSPITALITY offit KuRmAn WeineR Benefits RonAld mcdonAld BhiSAGAX heAly long & Jevin vAndemARK & lynch, d its milestone INSURANCE, LTD. gRoup house of delAWARe inc. l, inc. vin S. Gilman s program, held el DuPont’s Gold e speaker was Scott Del Concepts, who SoDel’s amazing chip RAnKin michAel ReAth, s. MICHAEL S.SALTER UFFNER STOCKLEY, JESSICA RUGGIERI DENNIS donAld t.M. fulton g.GRACE Kevin RyAn fAsic, sheARs michAel s. uffneR millicARe Byesq. eBc off RoAd mediA gRoup DELAWARE CADILLAC, FIDELITRADE, INC. KELLY BENEFITS EDINBURGH CAPITAL offit KuRmAn Benefits BAKeR tilly viRchoW WeineR its AutoteAm delAWARe Business winners SAAB, SUBARU LLC AND KIA STRATEGIES MANAGEMENT gRoup KRAuse, llp OF WILMINGTON 4 employees), ployees), Kuehne Company (60-150 Humane Association (nonprofit). Award of

DELAWARE DelawareBUSINESS Business

siness Alliance gers

son & c

2018 Business Allianc SmallSmall Business Alliance Board of Managers Advisory Council

2018 Small Business Alliance Board of Managers

chip RAnKin millicARe By eBc ROBERT SMITH SANTORA CPA GROUP

GREG BALLANCE GREG BALLANCE gReg BAllAnce pAm coRnfoRth DIAMOND DIAMOND diAmond RonAld mcdonAld TECHNOLOGIES, INC. TECHNOLOGIES, INC. technologies, inc. house of delAWARe

The SBA plans to continue its strong 2019 Business Alliance Committee 2018 Small Business Alliance SmallSmall Business Alliance advocacy efforts in 2019. In addition to the Board of Managers Advisory Council continued Chamber leadership of James gReg BAllAnce diAmond technologies, inc.

timothy Boulden Boulden BRotheRs

DeChene, the SBA will be led by returning co-chair Mike Vanderslice of Environmental Alliance and Joe Nadel of Colonial Parking. n

Small Business Alliance Advisory Council

TIMOTHY BOULDEN KEVIN DISABATINO ANNE EIDSCHUN PAM CORNFORTH GREG BALLANCE BOULDEN, CO-CHAIR MICHAEL VANDERSLICE *co-chAiR *co-chAiR Boulden gReg BAllAnce PAM CORNFORTH, MARK DOUGHTY, ANN EIDSCHUN, LAWRENCE DISABATINO Ken AndeRson John fleming lAWRence disABAtino mARthA s. gilmAn pAm coRnfoRth mARK doughty Ann eidschun John (JAcK) e. heAly timothy iii TIMOTHY stephAn lehm Joseph fARley JR. BOULDEN BROTHERS DISABATINO GRISWOLD HOME CARE RONALD MCDONALD DIAMOND BOULDEN BROTHERS *CO-CHAIR, JOSEPH NADEL RoBeRt smith michAel vAndeRslice BRotheRs diAmond RONALD MCDONALD BHIRonAld GRISWOLD HOME CARE DISABATINO delAWARe division of AssociAtes smAll Business disABAtino gilmAn development mcdonAld Bhi gRisWold homethe cAReSBA heAly long & Jevin Boulden vAndemARK & lynch, Finally, presented its milestone CONSTRUCTION CO. HOUSE OF DELAWARE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. COLONIAL INC. sAntoRA cpA gRoup enviRonmentAl technologies, inc. HOUSE OFPARKING, DELAWARE CONSTRUCTION CO.co. smAll Business AdministRAtion, constRuction co.inc. house of delAWARe inteRnAtionAl, inc. ALLIANCE, INC. S. Gilman AlliAnce, inc. event, the 20th annual Marvin de distRict office

JESSICA BLOOM TIMOTHY BOULDEN, timothy mARK Boulden doughty PLACERS BOULDEN BROTHERS Boulden Bhi BRotheRs

PAM CORNFORT Ken AndeR Anndennis eidschun m. RONALD MCDO delAWARe gRisWold hom edinBuRgh HOUSE OF DELA smAll Bus mAnAgeme

Superstars in Business awards program, held on November 7, in the Hotel DuPont’s Gold Ballroom. This year’s keynote speaker was Scott Kammerer, President of SoDel Concepts, who told his compelling story of SoDel’s amazing success over the past 20 years. JOSEPH V.FASIC, GIORDANO STEPHAN G. KEVIN ESQ., DONALD FULTON, JOSEPH FARLEY JOHN FLEMING CHARLES pAm coRnfoRth Ann eidschun JohnGILLE (JAc mARK doughty Joseph fARley JR. THIERRY LANGER STEPHAN LEHM, DONALD FULTON, JACK HEALY III,sAlteR HEALY JOHN FLEMING DON FULTON MARTHA CHARLES S.GILLEAN GILMAN MARTHA GILMAN, Ann eidschun John (JAcK) e. heAly iii chAd stephAn lehm dennis m. chRistopheR Joseph fARley JR. Ken AndeRson John fleming lAWRence disABAtino mARthA s.T.LEHM Boulden gReg BAllAnce donAld t.gilmAn fulton chARles gille g. Kevin fAsic, esq. John fleming mARthA s.T.t.gilmAn RyAn sheARs s. uffneR donAld fulton michAel mooRe chARles gilleAn g. Kevin fAsic, esq. timothy WHISMAN GIORDANO & winners VANDEMARK &&Excellence LYNCH, OFFIT KURMAN GEORGE J.Benefits WEINER JR. ASSOCIATES SMALL SUPPL RonAld mcdonAld gRisWold home cARe heAly lon Bhi KAISY’S DELIGHTS VANDEMARK LYNCH, GEORGE J.Benefits WEINER LONG &BUSINESS JEVIN, INC. SMALL WEINER BENEFITS CORNELL GLOBAL SUPPLIER PROPERTY GILMAN DEVELOPMENT gRisWold homethe cAReSBA heAly long & Jevin vAndemARK & lynch, edinBuRgh cApitAl scARpitti AssociAtes delAWARe division of WeineR smAll Business disABAtino gilmAn development Boulden BRotheRs diAmond offit KuRmAn WeineR gloBAl suppl recipient Finally, presented its milestone smAll Business gilmAn development BAKeR tilly viRchoW AssociAtes offitBUSINESS KuRmAn AutoteAm delAWARe GLOBAL WeineR Benefits gloBAl supplieR This year’s Superstars in Business ASSOCIATES, LLCco. INC. ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC. ADMINISTRATION, DIVERSITY house delAWARe inteRnAtionAl, INC. ASSOCIATES ADMINISTRATION, GROUP, MANAGEMENT DIVERSITY STRATEGIES CORP. CO. inc. mAnAgement Wsfs BAnK inc. inteRnAtionAl, smAllof Business AdministRAtion, constRuction co. technologies, inc. gRoup diveRsity STRA stRA AdministRAtion, co. KRAuse, llpllc gRoupLLC inc. diveRsity stRAtegies gRoup Consulting Services event, theOFFICE 20th annual Marvin S. Gilman DE include: Promo Victory (1-24 employees), DE de DISTRICT distRict OFFICE office de DISTRICT distRict office Impro Superstars in Business awards program,Cover held & Rossiter (25-59 employees), Kuehne Company (60-150 Ferris HomeDeChen Instead Senio on November 7, in the Hotel DuPont’semployees), Gold Environ and Delaware Humane Association (nonprofit). AwardHome of and Exceptional Ca Ballroom. This year’s keynote speaker was Scott The Gilman Bowl w Kammerer, President of SoDel Concepts, who Gilman in a very sp told his compelling story of SoDel’s amazing chip RAnKin michAel ReAth, The SBA gRAce stocKle plans to success over the past 20 years. chip RAnKin michAel ReAth, gRAce stocKley, Kim Willson CHIP RANKIN MICHAEL REATH SEAN MELUNEY LOUIS D. REATH, MEMMOLO DALE MCDINE RANKIN, EBCeBc REATH, DENNIS M.sheA SAL CHAD MOORE, RyAn donAld t.Willson fulton chAd chARles gilleAn g.John Kevin CHAD MOORE, CHIP RANKIN, EBCeBc MICHAEL DENNIS M.fAsic, SALTER, RYAN SHEARS ROBERT SMITH CHRISTOPHER RyAn sheARs s. uffneR michAel chAd mooRe chARles gilleAn Ann eidschun (JAcK) e.esq. heAly iii RuggeRio stephAn lehm dennis m. sAlteR chRistopheR Joseph JR. gRoup JOSEPH NADEL dennis m. sAlteR chRistopheR millicARe By offmooRe RoAd mediA gRoup fidelitRAde millicARe By offfARley RoAd mediA fidelitRAde & MILLICARE FLOOR & DELAWARE TODAY BENESCH, FRIEDLANDER, WEINER BENEFITS NEW CASTLE NEW CASTLE BEACON HOSPITALITY BAKeR till offit KuRmAn WeineR Benefits WeineR Benefits gloBAl supplieR BEACON HOSPITALITY MILLICARE FLOOR DELAWARE TODAY BAKER TILLYcApitAl VIRCHOW SANTORA CPA advocacy GROUP SCARPITTI BAKeR tilly viRchoW Holmes AutoteAm gloBAl supplieR WeineR Benefits gRisWold cARe&Superstars heAly long &include: Jevin vAndemARK &delAWARe lynch, edinBuRgh scARpitti AssociAtes efforts in 2 Thishome year’s in Business winners COLONIAL PARKING, INC. edinBuRgh cApitAl scARpitti Excellence recipients Smith AssociAtes, llc TEXTILE COPLAN & ARONOFF GROUP, LLC inc. INSURANCE, INSURANCE KRAuse, ll gRoup diveRsity stRAtegies gRoup INSURANCE TEXTILE CARE WSFS KRAUSE,CARE LLP KRAuse,LTD. llp diveRsity stRAtegies gRoup mAnAgement llc inc. BANK Wsfs BAnK mAnAgement llc LLP inteRnAtionAl, Wsfs BAnK continued Chamber include: Promo Victory (1-24 employees), Consulting Services, Inc. (1-24 employees), Cover & Rossiter (25-59 employees), Kuehne Company (25-59 (60-150employees), DeChene, the SBA will be led by returning coFerris Home Improvements Environmental Alliance and Joe Nadel of Colo employees), and Delaware Humane Association (nonprofit). Award of Home Instead Senior Care (60-150 employees),

2018 Small Business Alliance Board of Managers

Delaware Business

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2019

Delaware Business

Sma Adv

Janu ar y/Feb r u ar y 201

and Exceptional Care for Children (nonprofit). SAVE THE DATE! The Gilman Bowl was awarded to Martha 22nd Annual Marvin S. Gilman Gilman in a very special surprise presentation. Superstars in Business chip RAnKin michAel ReAth, gRAce stocKley, Kim Willson gRAce stocKley, Kim Willson The SBAGRACE plans to continue its strong MICHAEL S. UFFNER STOCKLEY, KIM WILLSON, KIM WILLSON, Awards Luncheon RuggeRio Willson & CHRISTOPHER RYAN SHEARS RENEE SMITH BRYAN RyAn SHUPE sheARs s. uffneR chAd mooRe chARles gilleAn michAel millicARe By eBc off RoAd mediA gRoup fidelitRAde fidelitRAde RuggeRio Willson & DELAWARE CADILLAC, FIDELITRADE, INC.NEWS RUGGERIO WILLSON & RUGGERIO WILLSON & *co-chAiR *co-chAiR timothy Boulden gReg BAllAnce SCARPITTI BAKER TILLY VIRCHOW SMITH, COHEN & DELAWARE LIVE BAKeRin tilly viRchoW AutoteAmto delAWARe WeineR Benefits gloBAl supplieR AssociAtes, llc advocacy efforts 2019. In addition theKIA AssociAtes, llc SAAB, SUBARU AND November ASSOCIATES, ASSOCIATES, LLC 2020 RoBeRt smith michAel vAndeRslice diAmond 4,LLC Boulden BRotheRs WSFS BANK KRAUSE, LLP ROSENBERG LLC KRAuse, llp diveRsity stRAtegies gRoup OF WILMINGTON sAntoRA cpA gRoup enviRonmentAl technologies, inc. continued Chamber leadership of James SAVE THE DATE! AlliAnce, inc. DeChene, the SBA will be led by returning co-chair Mike NOT Vanderslice of PICTURED: 24th Annual Environmental Alliance and Joe Nadel of Colonial Parking.PAULnDEMARA DELAWARE DelawareBUSINESS Business | | Jan Januar uaryy/ Feb / Fe br ruar uaryy2020 2019 | | JaJanu nuaar ryy/ Fe / Febr bruuaar ryy2020 2019 SCHLOSSER & Marvin S. Gilman ASSOCIATES Superstars in Business STACY GRADY Awards Luncheon BANK OF AMERICA

michAel ReAth, off RoAd mediA gRoup MICHAEL S. UFFNER DELAWARE CADILLAC, DELAWARE SUBARU, & KIA OF WILMINGTON

Sma Advi

*co-chAiR *co-chAiR BAllAnc Ken AndeRson John flem lAWRence disABAtino gReg RoBeRt smithdivision of michAel vAndeRslice diAmond delAWARe smAll Bus disABAtino sAntoRA gRoup enviRonmentAl technologies smAllcpA Business AdministR constRuction co. AlliAnce, inc. de distRic

2019 2018 Small Small Business Business Alliance Alliance Committee Board of Managers

Small Business Alliance Advisory Council

gRAce stocKley, fidelitRAde DANNI VAN DREW CO-CHAIR *co-chAiR DRPR STRATEGIES JOSEPH NADEL RoBeRt smith COLONIAL INC. sAntoRAPARKING, cpA gRoup

Delaware Business | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2019 DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Kim Willson RuggeRio Willson & MICHAEL VANDERSLICE *co-chAiR AssociAtes, llc ENVIRONMENTAL *CO-CHAIR,vAndeRslice michAel ALLIANCE, INC. ENVIRONMENTAL enviRonmentAl ALLIANCE, inc. INC. AlliAnce,

NICOLE WALSH GREG BALLANCE gReg BAllAnce pAm coRnfoRth BEYOND BYmcdonAld AERUS DIAMOND diAmond RonAld TECHNOLOGIES, INC. technologies, inc. house of delAWARe

TIMOTHY BOULDEN, timothy mARK Boulden doughty BOULDEN BROTHERS Boulden Bhi BRotheRs

Small Business Alliance Advisory Council

Ken Ande delAWAR smAll Bu

85 65

November 2, 2022

PAM CORNFORTH, LAWRENCE DISABATINO AndeRson lAWRence disABAtino Ann Ken eidschun Joseph fARley JR. RONALD MCDONALD DISABATINO delAWARe disABAtino gRisWold homedivision cARe of AssociAtes HOUSE OF DELAWARE CONSTRUCTION CO.co. smAll Business constRuction inteRnAtionAl, inc.

65 83

MARK DOUGHTY John flemin John (JA BHIsmAll Busin heAly lo AdministRAt de distRict

Newsbites Morris Nichols Promotes Three Women Attorneys Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP announced that Megan Dellinger and Lauren Neal became partners of the firm, effective January 1, 2022, and Tammy Mann was promoted to special counsel. “We are thrilled to promote Megan, Lauren, and Tammy. They are exceptionally talented attorneys with a deep commitment to client service,” said Bill Lafferty, chair of the firm’s executive committee. “All three women started their careers at

Morris Nichols, and I’m honored to congratulate them on this milestone.” “These promotions demonstrate the firm’s commitment to elevating women and other diverse professionals to leadership positions throughout the firm,” said Tarik Haskins, chair of Morris Nichols’ diversity committee. “In the last five years, the majority of our attorney promotions have been diverse attorneys. Today, we celebrate Megan, Lauren, and Tammy’s accomplishments and look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for advancement.”

ChristianaCare Named Most Wired Leader For the sixth consecutive year, ChristianaCare has earned the “Most Wired” designation from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), which assesses how effectively health care organizations apply core and advanced technologies to improve health and care in their communities. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, patients and providers have experienced the power of virtual care and the ability for data and technology to improve the health care experience,” said ChristianaCare President and CEO Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH. “At ChristianaCare, we believe now is the moment to transform our health care system to a new model of care that doesn’t stop between appointments—it’s continuous, data-driven and technology-enabled. We’re proud to be recognized as a leader in health care innovation, as we work to achieve better health at lower costs.”

Navient Recognized for Supporting Military

Dogfish Head Publishes The Dogfish Head Book: 26 Years of Off-Centered Adventures The Dogfish Head Book: 26 Years of Off-Centered Adventures is a celebratory chronology of the offbeat escapades that propelled Dogfish Head to become the beloved craft brewery, distillery, hotel, and culinary hub it is today. Written by Dogfish Head Founder & Brewer, Sam Calagione; Dogfish Head Co-Founder & Communitarian, Mariah Calagione; and longtime co-worker and Dogfish INNkeeper, Andrew C. Greeley, this heavily-illustrated, lovingly-told page-turner provides a detailed account of the brand’s history told through heartfelt stories from the authors, a timetable of Dogfish Head’s off-centered beverage releases AND a plethora of co-worker-told tales. The book hit shelves and web stores nationwide on October 19, 2021.

Navient earned four 2022 Military Friendly designations from VIQTORY, publisher of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse Magazine. The four designations are: Military Friendly Employer, Military Spouse Friendly Employer, Military Friendly Supplier Diversity Employer, and Military Friendly Brand. It is the eighth consecutive year Navient has been recognized by the publisher for its support of the military. Navient provides veterans with employment opportunities, offers mentoring and development, and raises funds and awareness for veterans.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Cape May Ferry Terminal Adds Two EV Charging Stations Two new Level 2 dual-port Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are now operational at the Cape May Ferry Terminal.

“We’re pleased to be able to complement our existing charging stations at the Lewes Ferry Terminal with two at our Cape May location,” said Thomas J. Cook, executive director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority. “With the number of interstate travelers using the Cape May – Lewes Ferry and our close proximity to neighboring resort communities, our ferry terminals are prime locations to host these charging stations. It’s a great service for our customers and the community!” Cook added that the Authority supports the sensible adoption of green energy technology, and this new infrastructure supports greater use of electric vehicles, which do not release air pollution or carbon dioxide.

Dr. Tam Honored by Delaware Healthcare Association David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE, president and CEO of Beebe Healthcare, was awarded the Delaware Healthcare Association’s American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award at the 25th Annual Delaware Healthcare Forum in October 2021. The award recognizes those hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital’s vital role in the com-

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

$100,000 Perdue Foundation Grant to Fund Outdoor Amphitheater in Seaford The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, presented Chesapeake Conservancy with a donation of $100,000 to benefit the construction of an outdoor natural amphitheater at Seaford’s new Oyster House Park located at 201 South Cannon Street at the site of the old J.B. Robinson Oyster House along the Seaford River Walk on the Nanticoke River. The Perdue gift is part of the company’s “Delivering Hope To Our Neighbors® initiative focused on improving quality of life and building strong communities. “At Perdue Farms, we are proud to support the Chesapeake Conservancy and City of Seaford’s vision to create a venue that will provide learning opportunities for many students, a performance venue and environmental benefits of natural planting to promote erosion control on the banks of the Nanticoke River,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation. Perdue’s gift will help fund the planned outdoor natural amphitheater, which will be built into the slope of the property accented with native plants. There will be seating for 75 people in the amphitheater and room on the lawn for an additional 200 people. This will also serve as a community outdoor classroom, gathering space for performances and erosion control to address runoff from steep banks.

munity, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital and who are tireless advocates for hospitals and their patients. “It’s been a privilege to come to Sussex County and Delaware and become a part of this community and

Beebe Healthcare during such a challenging time,” said Dr. Tam. “Thank you to all who have welcomed me and my family. There is a lot of great healthcare being provided in Delaware but there is more to do. You can expect Beebe to lead the way for Sussex County.”

Newsbites Sandy Taccone Named a 2021 Woman in Business

New Healthcare Center of Excellence Coming to Dover In January 2022, Delaware Technical Community College will open a new Healthcare Center of Excellence building, located at the Charles L. Terry Campus in Dover. The total cost of the project is $2.1 million, and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware has agreed to enhance the project with an additional $1 million from BluePrints for the Community. This funding will support the needs of the state’s healthcare industry by training students for healthcare related jobs and careers in Delaware, in addition to granting naming rights. “On behalf of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware, our Board of Directors and the BluePrints for the Community Advisory Council, we are excited to partner with Delaware Technical Community College in this large-scale approach,” said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware. “Ensuring that Delaware has a strong talent pool in the health industry has long been a priority of ours and investment in this space is needed now more than ever. We know that Delaware Tech has the history, experience, and relationships within our state to educate and empower current and future health care professionals. Together, we can grow our workforce, assist Delawareans with their career goals and help increase access to care.” The renovation of the existing 44-year-old building, which began in August 2020 and is scheduled for completion no later than January 2022, will house state-ofthe-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. The 8,700-square-foot facility will be a training center for allied health short-term certification programs “These occupations represent some of the highest-demand labor market needs in Delaware, and it’s our mission to provide Delawareans with jobs and employers with the workforce they need,” said Dr. Mark T. Brainard, president of Delaware Tech.

Sandy Taccone, Blue Blaze Associates, Principal and CEO, was honored by Delaware Today and Delaware Business Times as one of the top 2021 Women in Business. Taccone and her wife, Wendy Scott, are co-founders and owners of Blue Blaze Associates, a fullSandy Taccone service marketing and design agency. In 2018, Taccone was selected as the only Delawarean in the Greater Philadelphia region for the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. And last year, Blue Blaze was named to the Philadelphia100®, an annual list of the region’s fastest-growing, privately-held companies. It was the first time that Blue Blaze had been selected for this recognition and was the only Delaware-based company represented on the 2020 list. “It is a tremendous honor to be chosen by Delaware Today and Delaware Business Times for this recognition and to be included among this impressive group of noteworthy women,” said Taccone. “I’m extremely proud of our team and the work we do, helping other businesses and nonprofits achieve their goals. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have stayed the course and are fortunate to work with some amazing clients who are changing the world in so many positive ways.”

Potter Anderson Announces Two New Partners Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP announced that Jesse L. Noa and Alyssa

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

K. Ronan have been elected partners of the firm, effective January 1, 2022. A member of the General Litigation Group, Noa represents businesses and individuals in a wide variety of complex commercial, bankruptcy, employment, and real estate litigation matters in the state and federal courts of Delaware. A member of the Transactions and Corporate Counseling Group, Ronan focuses on corporate advisory, corporate governance, and transactional matters relating to Delaware corporations and alternative entities. “Jesse and Alyssa are outstanding additions to our partnership,” said Potter Anderson Chair Kathleen Furey McDonough. “They both began their legal careers at Potter Anderson so it is especially gratifying to see them reach this milestone. With Alyssa’s expertise as a go-to transactional adviser and Jesse’s reputation as a standout litigator, together they exemplify our full-service approach to helping clients with their most sophisticated and complex matters in Delaware.”

Airport Surpasses 10,000 Enplanements The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials announced that the Wilmington – New Castle Airport (ILG) surpassed 10,000 enplanements (boardings of commercial flights) for the year, officially becoming a “Primary

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Bravo’s Project Runway and Carvertise Team Up As the models hit the catwalk for Season 19 of Bravo’s Project Runway this fall, NBCUniversal and Carvertise joined forces on a new marketing campaign that’s giving the Bravo hit show some added swagger. The entertainment giant partnered with Carvertise, the leading rideshare advertising and marketing company in the country, to create a mobile marketing fleet of Uber and Lyft vehicles, wrapped with Bravo’s Project Runway’s colorful branding, to strut through Manhattan’s streets. Those lucky enough to snag a ride in the cars, which rolled through New York’s streets in October and November, had a chance to pose for an Instagram-worthy moment alongside the vehicles, which feature the likenesses of the show’s stars, mentor Christian Siriano and judges Elaine Welteroth, Nina Garcia, and Brandon Maxwell. “Not only are these cars turning heads,” said Greg Star, co-founder of Carvertise, “but they’re attracting major buzz and generating an estimated 7 million impressions in just a month.”

Commercial Service Airport (CSA)” and shedding its earlier designation as a General Aviation Reliever Airport under established Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) criteria. The designation will be effective for the Federal Fiscal Year 2023. “Wilmington – New Castle Airport is now one of only 385 airports nationwide—and the only such airport in Delaware—to be classified as a Primary CSA,” said Stephen D. Williams, deputy

executive director and airport director of the DRBA. “In addition to the boost in federal entitlement dollars, the primary CSA designation also has significance within the airline, cargo, and commercial airport communities. It further validates the airport’s regional recognition as a low-cost leader with growing preference as an alternative, ease of use secondary airport serving the Philadelphia Metro area. This milestone confirms that our customers really like our small airport, no hassle travel experience.”

Newsbites Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing Celebrates 100 Years In 1921, a local girl, Ruth Mitchell requested a course in nursing at Beebe Hospital. Through the efforts of Dr. James Beebe, Sr. and his brother Dr. Richard Beebe, the Beebe Hospital Nurses’ Training School was established. The School celebrated its centennial anniversary in September 2021. “It was a special time to celebrate the School of Nursing’s achievements and the achievements of all graduates,”

Pickard said. “Not only did we look back at the past but at the future. We thank all who continue to contribute to the school, our students, and our faculty to make it the number one Nursing Program in Delaware.” The School of Nursing now has over 1,000 graduates who are practicing their profession in all parts of the country. Many continue to obtain higher degrees. The success of the School is not only attributed to the dedicated faculty and support from the Beebe Healthcare Board of Directors and the Beebe

Medical Foundation but also to the local communities whose support and interest have contributed substantially to the success and prestige of the School.

Gunnip & Company Promotes Alex Masciantonio Alex Masciantonio, CPA has been promoted to partner of Gunnip & Company LLP. He joined Gunnip & Company in 2011. Alex’s areas of expertise are international tax matters, domestic corporate taxation, domestic partnership taxation, and tax planning for foreign clients entering the U.S. eco- Alex Masciantonio, CPA nomic forum. Gunnip & Company CPAs is a Delaware based firm serving the Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland areas with highly personalized and comprehensive assurance, tax, and business consulting services.

Stuff The Bus Drive Collected 12 Tons of Food

Wohlsen Receives Delaware Contractors Association Excellence Award A Construction Excellence Award was presented to Wohlsen’s Delaware team for their work at Cecil County Public Library. This new 47,225 sq. ft. library was a dream of the community for over a decade. Through design, craftsmanship, and teamwork Wohlsen delivered a final project that exceeded the client’s expectations. This accomplishment is a result of the resounding performance from the projects’ architect, engineers, and subcontractors who created a beautifully designed, well-constructed, and functional community learning center that will serve the community long into the future.

Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) announced that DART’s 24th Annual “Stuff The Bus” Thanksgiving Food Drive collected 12 tons (24,169 pounds) of food. The week-long food drive took place from November 8 to November 13 at the Safeway in Rehoboth, the Dover Safeway, Walmart in Milford, Rodney Square in Wilmington, and the ShopRite stores at First State Plaza, Brandywine Commons and Four Seasons Shopping Centers. In April, DART held the Stuff The Bus COVID19 Relief food drive that collected 4.8 tons (9,621 pounds) of food. In total, Stuff The Bus food drives in 2021 collected 16.8 tons (33,790 pounds) of food that

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

the Food Bank of Delaware distributes through their Hunger Relief Partners to Delaware residents in need of food assistance. John Sisson, DTC’s chief executive officer, stated “I’m proud this was our 24th year of Stuff The Bus and the overwhelming support from the DTC and DelDOT employee volunteers, business partners, bus riders, and the community; and how our food drive continues to grow through the generous donations that benefit fellow Delawareans.”

Doneene Damon Named to Women in Business List Doneene Damon, president of Richards, Layton & Finger, Delaware’s largest law firm, has been named among Delaware’s Top 40 Women in Business by Delaware Today magazine. The magazine’s Top 40 list recognizes the accomplishments of the state’s most dynamic female business leaders. Doneene’s leadership within Richards, Layton & Finger, the legal profession, and the community at large sets the standard for community involvement and professional excellence. In addition to serving Doneene Damon as Richards Layton’s president, she is cochair of the firm’s Business Department and chair of the Corporate Trust and Agency Services Group. Doneene focuses her legal practice on the use of Delaware and New York trusts in a wide range of commercial transactions, and represents banks and trust companies in connection with their trust and agency services under Delaware and New York law.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2022

Governor John Carney Signs SEED Scholarship Expansion Bill Gov. John C. Carney Jr. signed a bill in October 2021 that expanded the state’s existing SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) scholarship program to give Delawareans of all ages access to a free college degree or workforce training certification. Senate Bill 12, sponsored by Sen. Nicole Poore, will help adult Delawareans seeking a career change, as well as students starting college immediately after high school. “Working families throughout Delaware are still reeling from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they deserve our help to get back on their feet,” Sen. Nicole Poore said. “This legislation will give those workers the tools they need to achieve a better life than the one they left behind in March 2020, to embark on new careers, particularly in those fields where Delaware desperately needs a skilled workforce.” Delaware led the nation in free college access when the SEED scholarship began in 2005, and since then, it has provided free college tuition to over 13,000 Delawareans. The First State now stands ready to become a national leader in retooling its workforce for the post-pandemic economy, enabling adults to develop new skills that can lead to higher-paying jobs. Delaware Technical Community College will play a critical role in this effort. Dr. Mark T. Brainard, president of Delaware Tech, said the scholarship expansion will build on the program’s previous success. “Thanks to the foresight of Sen. Harris McDowell, who worked diligently on the original SEED legislation, and now Sen. Poore working to expand this program, thousands of Delawareans who never thought college was possible are now able to develop the skills and knowledge to change their lives,” he said. “We look forward to helping them get to work.”

Did you miss the Chamber Chatter online? Here are our most popular posts on social media...

ICYMI

@Delaware State Chamber of Commerce @DelawareStateChamber

Delaware Business Magazine - January/February 2022

Articles inside

Diversifying Your Supply Chain is Good for Your Business

Small Business, United Voice

Realigned Mission, A Renewed Focus

Despite Supply Chain Issues, Shoppers 'Won't Go Home Empty-Handed'

Rethinking Retail

Where Manufacturers Will Lead in 2022

Making the Future

Facing the Challenge

Connecting People, Solving Problems

Adaption Resilience

Delaware's Fiscal Picture

The Future of Work

A Job at the End of the Tunnel

Smart Use of Funds Will Yield Long-term Benefits

Investing in Delaware's Future

Together, We Are Stronger

Delaware Will Be a Majority-Minority State by Mid-Century

Fostering Innovation Through Inclusion and Diversity

A Secret No More

Better Growing Through Science

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Grants Available to Help You Switch to Cleaner Transportation Vehicles

Intern Delaware is Engaging Delaware's Emerging Talent

State Chamber awards Gilman Bowl to John M. Burris

Celebrating Gary Stockbridge's Retrement

Diverse Supplier Spotlight: Technical Broadcast Solutions, Inc.

Committee Spotlight: Technology Committee

Nonprofit Spotlight: Down Syndrome Association of Delaware

Business Spotlight: Delmarva Central Railroad

Legislative Tracking - 151st General Assembly

Legislative Priority

Top Priorities for Delaware

Chair's Message - Nick Lambrow

Chair's Message - Katie K. Wilkinson

Newsbites

Message from the President