Delaware Business Magazine - January/February 2023

Dr. David Tam of Beebe Healthcare

As the first state, Delaware set the standard for what can be achieved when communities come together. At M&T Bank, we passionately believe in the work being done here, and that’s why we’re proud to be the #1 SBA lender in Delaware.* It’s an honor to sponsor tonight’s Delaware State Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. Thank you to all of the community members working together to move Delaware forward.

Featuring from left to right: Rehoboth Beach Running Company, Karins and Associates, DE Turf and Twist Juice Bar

Equal Housing Lender.

*According to statistics released by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for total approval loans through the SBA’s 7(a) lending program during the fiscal year ending 9/30/22. ©2022 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.

Cover Dr. David Tam of Beebe Healthcare. Photo by Dick Dubroff/Final Focus

Katey Jo Evans, co-founder of the The Frozen Farmer, shared her inspirational entrepreneurial journey during a dynamic keynote address at the Superstars in Business Awards Luncheon.

2022 Delaware State Chamber Staff

DELAWARE BUSINESS

EDITORIAL STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIR

Nick Lambrow M&T Bank

VICE CHAIR Marie Holliday, CPA Cover & Rossiter

Catherine M. Bassett Mountaire Farms

Steve Chambliss Brookfield Properties

Jason D. Gonzalez DuPont

John C. Gooden M. Davis & Sons, Inc.

Tom Horne JPMorgan Chase

Natalie Keefer Bank of America

Rodger Levenson WSFS Bank

Barbara McCullough AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP

Michael A. Meoli The Meoli Group

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

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Katie K. Wilkinson Fulton Bank

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Tony Allen, Ph.D. Delaware State University

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., ret.

Jennifer Gimler Brady Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP

Dr. Mark T. Brainard Delaware Technical Community College Beth G. Brand University of Delaware Kevin C. Broadhurst Comcast

Robert L. Byrd ByrdGomes

Patrick Callihan Tech Impact

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.

Joseph Cruise GT USA Wilmington

Jason Danner

Kelly Benefits Strategies

Rick Deadwyler

Corteva Agriscience™ Marta DeLisi Beasley Media Group Ernest Dianastasis The Precisionists, Inc.

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 Ken Grant

Vaughn Hardin LabWare Dr. LaVerne T. Harmon Wilmington University 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

LeVar Johnson

Novo Nordisk

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 Mac Macleod Carvertise Scott Malfitano CSC

William E. Manning Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr Guy Marcozzi Verdantas Paul M. McConnell McConnell Development, Inc.

W. Douglas Mokoid Delmarva Power Chad Moore

Beacon Hospitality

LaKresha R. Moultrie, Esq.

Delaware State University

Mark Mumford Nemours Children’s Health System

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. Robert (Rob) Rider, Jr. O.A. Newton

Bettina Tweardy Riveros ChristianaCare

Salvatore J. “Chip” Rossi Bank of America James J. Roszkowski Discover Bank

Rhett Ruggerio Ruggerio Willson & Associates, Inc. Dennis M. Salter

Edinburgh Capital Management LLC

Greg Sawka

Bancroft Construction Company

Chris Schell Schell Brothers

Fred C. Sears II Delaware Community Foundation, ret. Greg Smith

The Chemours Company Robert S. Smith Santora CPA Group William Smith Environmental Alliance Mark Stellini Assurance Media

David Tam, M.D. Beebe Healthcare Jim Taylor Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr

James Tevebaugh

Tevebaugh Architecture

Michael S. Uffner

AutoTeam Delaware

Ann B. Wayne, BSN, RN SUN Behavioral Delaware

Robert W. Whetzel Richards, Layton & Finger

Robert Wirth

DuPont Country Club

Kevin M. Wolfgang Evergreen Apartment Group *Treasurer

Helana Rodriguez Director, The Partnership, Inc.

MELISSA BRAYMAN OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

KEN EVANS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

REGINA

TYLER MICIK PUBLIC POLICY & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER

MICHAEL J. QUARANTA PRESIDENT

KELLY BASILE VICE PRESIDENT STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

FRED MILLER

ADVERTISING/RETENTION

HELANA RODRIGUEZ DIRECTOR, THE PARTNERSHIP, INC.

Nick Lambrow Chair Michael J. Quaranta President Kelly Basile Editor Christina Jones Graphic Design

Michael J. Quaranta President

Kelly Basile Vice President, Strategic Communications

Melissa Brayman Office Administrator Regina Donato Manager, Program & Communications

Ken Evans Account Executive

Tyler Micik Manager, Public Policy & Government Relations

Fred Miller Advertising/Retention

Kerri Welcher Events Manager

STAFF

KERRI WELCHER EVENTS MANAGER

“Being a good partner means making sure our community, our customers, and our colleagues grow with us. In business, we tailor our approach, innovations, and investments to serve client needs, while also investing our skills, time, and resources into helping our colleagues and neighbors build a stronger Delaware.”

Barclays proudly supports DCRAC/Stepping Stones and their work driving change in our communities

We Are Delaware: Building Prosperity Through Partnership

– DENNY NEALON, CEO BARCLAYS US CONSUMER BANK

Message from the President

BY MICHAEL J. QUARANTA

THE NEW NORMAL is not the old normal or whatever that was! This year started off with a new variant of COVID-19—Omicron—and the postponement of our Annual Dinner. Supply chain woes slowly began to resolve themselves but still persist. International disruptions were experienced as a direct result of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine and created roiling energy markets and more. The Federal Reserve Bank raised the federal funds rate multiple times to spell inflation concerns, while borrowing costs surged for consumers and businesses alike.

These and other challenges served as a backdrop for State Chamber members who continue to wrestle with workforce scarcity. As Baby Boomers continue to reach retirement eligibility at a pace of 10,000 per day—a rate that will not relent until 2029—employers face enormous pressure to fill jobs. Without the immediate relief that could come from a strategic immigration policy; changes to Social Security wage laws that restrict the income of older workers; or elected leaders doing more to meet the emergency of job vacancies in industries like health care, teaching, technology, and the building trades, technology will march on and idle more of us without in-demand skills.

If nothing else, 2022 proved that we have work to do and precious little time to waste. Workforce remains a top priority for the business community, as does the speed with which permitting decisions are made. We need policymakers to be a partner in solving these challenges and recognize that business cycles are moving faster than ever. We also need to recognize that new laws and regulations, while created separately, have an accumulated effect on businesses and that oftentimes is a fact that goes under appreciated.

Now more than ever it is important for each of us to invite elected officials into your place of business—be it an office, store, factory, or school— and help them understand what you do, how you do it, the supplies you need to accomplish your end-product, who your customers are, and how incredibly valuable your employees are to your success.

Policymakers are called upon to make decisions on a wide range of issues every day, and there is no possible way they can fully appreciate the impacts the choices they make will have on you and your colleagues. That’s why it is so important for you to establish those relationships early and continue sharing updates as your priorities change, customers grow, or supplies run dry. They cannot make good decisions with limited information. This is why you are such a critical link to better policy outcomes.

Politics in Delaware are changing, and it follows then that the decisions made will be different too. Your participation and involvement will help shape the outcome in the new year and beyond. I’m certain of that.

2022 Board of Directors

2022 Board of Governors

DENIS DUNN AT&T DELAWARE

THÈRE DU PONT LONGWOOD FOUNDATION

JERRY ESPOSITO TIDEWATER UTILITIES INC., RETIRED

KEVIN C. BROADHURST COMCAST

BETH BRAND UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

BARRY CROZIER BELFINT, LYONS & SHUMAN, RET.

JOSEPH CRUISE GT USA WILMINGTON JASON DANNER KELLY BENEFIT STRATEGIES

ERNEST DIANASTASIS THE PRECISIONISTS, INC.

MARTA DELISI BEASLEY MEDIA GROUP

RICK DEADWYLER CORTEVA AGRISCIENCETM

PAM CORNFORTH RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF DELAWARE

BRIAN DISABATINO EDIS COMPANY

MIKE B. BERARDI WOHLSEN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

JENNIFER GIMLER BRADY POTTER ANDERSON & CORROON LLP

DR. MARK T. BRAINARD DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

JULIAN H. “PETE” BOOKER DELAWARE PUBLIC MEDIA

G. KEVIN FASIC, ESQ. OFFIT KURMAN

ROBERT L. BYRD BYRDGOMES

TIMOTHY J. CONSTANTINE UNITED CONCORDIA DENTAL

CHARLIE COPELAND ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

GREG BALLANCE DIAMOND TECHNOLOGIES

PIERRE ANDERSON ARTESIAN WATER COMPANY, INC.

CHRIS BAKER GEORGE & LYNCH, INC.

TONY ALLEN, PH.D. DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

ROBERT A. BOOK, II DELAWARE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

STUART COMSTOCK-GAY DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

MICHAEL T. FRENCH BELFINT, LYONS & SHUMAN

BRYAN FISHER AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES

JOHN C. GOODEN M. DAVIS & SONS, INC.

JASON D. GONZALEZ

DUPONT

STEVE CHAMBLISS

BROOKFIELD PROPERTIES

/ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CHRISTIANA MALL

CATHERINE M. BASSETT MOUNTAIRE FARMS

DON FULTON WEINER BENEFITS GROUP

CHAIR NICK LAMBROW M&T BANK

NATALIE KEEFER BANK OF AMERICA

TOM HORNE JPMORGAN CHASE

STEVE BACCINO CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES

PATRICK CALLIHAN TECH IMPACT

ERIC CASEY GT USA WILMINGTON

ANDREW COTTONE, PH.D. ADESIS

WALTER DONALDSON FREEH SPORKIN & SULLIVAN, LLP

MARIE HOLLIDAY, CPA, VICE CHAIR COVER & ROSSITER

JANICE E. NEVIN, M.D, MPH CHRISTIANACARE

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR KATIE K. WILKINSON FULTON BANK

BARBARA MCCULLOUGH, ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP

MICHAEL A. MEOLI THE MEOLI COMPANIES

RODGER LEVENSON WSFS

NICHOLAS A. MORIELLO HIGHMARK BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD DELAWARE

GREG SMITH THE CHEMOURS COMPANY

FRED C. SEARS, II DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, RETIRED

WILLIAM SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE, INC.

ROBERT S. SMITH SANTORA CPA GROUP

JIM TAYLOR

MARK STELLINI ASSURANCE MEDIA

ROBERT W. WHETZEL RICHARDS, LAYTON & FINGER

MIKE UFFNER AUTOTEAM DELAWARE

ROBERT WIRTH DUPONT COUNTRY CLUB

KEVIN M. WOLFGANG EVERGREEN APARTMENT GROUP

ANN B. WAYNE, BSN, RN SUN BEHAVIORAL DELAWARE

SCOTT MALFITANO CSC

MAC MACLEOD CARVERTISE

GUY MARCOZZI VERDANTAS

DOUG MOKOID DELMARVA POWER

PAUL M. MCCONNELL MCCONNELL DEVELOPMENT, INC.

ANDY LUBIN DELAWARE FINANCIAL GROUP

WILLIAM E. MANNING SAUL EWING ARNSTEIN & LEHR

STEPHAN LEHM VANDEMARK & LYNCH, INC.

RICHARD H. LAPENTA INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES, LTD

LEVAR JOHNSON NOVO NORDISK

MONA JANTZI BARCLAYS US CONSUMER BANK

JEFFREY JOSEPH PNC BANK

CHRISTOPHER L. KENNY SHOPRITES OF DELAWARE

LISA KIRKWOOD TD BANK

TIMOTHY HOUSEAL YOUNG CONAWAY STARGATT & TAYLOR, LLP

MICHAEL HOUGHTON MORRIS, NICHOLS, ARSHT & TUNNELL, LLP

VAUGHN HARDIN LABWARE

KEN GRANT A. RICHARD HEFFRON DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, RETIRED

DR. LAVERNE T. HARMON WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

ROBERT W. PERKINS BRANDYWINE PUBLIC STRATEGIES

THEODORE J. PRUSHINSKI CITIZENS BANK

TERRY MURPHY BAYHEALTH MEDICAL CENTER

CHRIS PERDUE PERDUE FARMS

CHRIS O’NEILL PSCI

LAKRESHA R. MOULTRIE, ESQ. DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

MARK MUMFORD NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HEALTH

JAMES J. ROSZKOWSKI DISCOVER BANK

GREG SAWKA BANCROFT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

RHETT RUGGERIO, RUGGERIO WILLSON & ASSOCIATES, LLC

BETTINA TWEARDY RIVEROS CHRISTIANACARE

DENNIS M. SALTER EDINBURGH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

SALVATORE J. “CHIP” ROSSI BANK OF AMERICA

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

MARTHA S. GILMAN

CORNELL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CORP.

JOSEPH A. GIORDANO TREASURER WHISMAN GIORDANO & ASSOCIATES, LLC

JAMES A. TEVEBAUGH

TEVEBAUGH ARCHITECTURE

CHRIS SCHELL

SCHELL BROTHERS

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

CHAD MOORE BEACON HOSPITALITY

ALAN LEVIN SODEL CONCEPTS

MARK HUTTON M&T BANK

Ready for takeo .

The m ission of DRBA is to be an innovative leader in transportation and a catalyst for partnered growth and prosperity in Delaware and New Jersey.

Learn more at drba.net

DELAWARE BUSINESS 2023 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 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 13, 2023

May/June

Superstars in Education Internships and Apprenticeships Legal, Government Affairs and Incorporating Services Wellness and Health Space reservation: March 10, 2023

July/August

Restaurant, Meeting & Banquet Guide Tourism Agriculture

Higher Learning Insurance and Financial Services Space reservation: May 5, 2023

September/October

Health & Wellness Education & Upskilling Manufacturing Space reservation: July 14, 2023

November/December

Superstars in Business Construction and Real Estate Technology and Innovation Banking Space reservation: September 15, 2023

January/February 2024

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 17, 2023

* 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.

Chair’s Message

BY NICK LAMBROW

I SPENT MUCH of the past year—my first as the State Chamber’s board chair—listening closely to our state’s business owners and leaders. The theme I’ve consistently heard from our business community is that we need to communicate better.

We need to communicate more effectively. We need to clearly communicate our objectives and outline the challenges we face. We need to seek new opportunities to share our stories. And we need to use different tools to get our messages across.

It’s a fundamental issue that requires our careful attention and diligence. It’s a point around which we should all rally this year. Here’s why.

For starters, our audience has changed. When the 2023 legislative session convenes, nine new state lawmakers will take their places in Legislative Hall. Educating these legislators on the issues most important to the business community will be tantamount to our economy’s growth and the state’s ability to thrive now and for years to come.

Many of the issues haven’t changed. We still need to develop a pipeline of talented workers, invest in Delaware’s infrastructure, technological capabilities and workforce training programs, and provide top-notch health care and a safe environment for the state’s residents.

How we communicate our priorities this year will be critical. We’ll have much to talk about in 2023, and we’ll need to stay organized around some persistent challenges. Among them: romoting policies that support job skills training programs that align with the needs of Delaware’s employers and their employees; reating employment opportunities within the building trades, technology, health care, and logistics segments; upporting employer-led diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; Continuing to support legislation that streamlines the state’s permitting process and ensuring projects are completed on time; Making it easier for businesses to expand in or relocate to Delaware and create new jobs; and,

• Encouraging our legislators and other elected officials to efficiently and effectively use federal resources to update the state’s infrastructure and invest in other projects that improve residents’ quality of life.

Recent history can serve as our guide. The work done over the past few years to move forward the Ready in 6 legislative agenda is an example of how the business community and state’s lawmakers can work together to enact laws that make Delaware a better place to do business.

I hope you’ll join me in telling our stories in ways that help to spur innovative solutions to the challenges we face. Let’s make the most of the opportunity we have to effectively share our views for what Delaware’s future can be—and the powerful role the business community will play in shaping it.

Nick Lambrow is regional president for M&T Bank in Delaware.

DON’t WAIT. CONNECT.

Your future is in your hands.

Del Tech makes Delaware. And with an affordable, flexible education leading to in-demand careers, we can also help your future come into focus.

Start a conversation with an academic advisor today.

Visit dtcc.edu.

LEGISLATIVE TRACKING

151 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

151 ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

151 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

DSCC SUPPORTED:

DSCC SUPPORTED:

HB 360: The 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate Program - ENACTED

HB 360: The 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate Program - ENACTED

Provides a one-time direct payment of $300 per Delaware resident.

Provides a one-time direct payment of $300 per Delaware resident.

SS2 for SB 1: Healthy Delaware Families Act - ENACTED

SS2 for SB 1: Healthy Delaware Families Act - ENACTED

Creates a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program.

Creates a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program.

HB 420: PLUS

HB 420: PLUS

Improves efficiency within the permitting process for economic development projects by making the State’s Preliminary Land Use System (PLUS) process optional.

Improves efficiency within the permitting process for economic development projects by making the State’s Preliminary Land Use System (PLUS) process optional.

HB 484:

Temporary Entrance Permits

HB 484: Temporary Entrance Permits

Expedites the issuance of a temporary entrance permit for commercial and economic development projects.

Expedites the issuance of a temporary entrance permit for commercial and economic development projects.

DSCC MONITORED:

DSCC MONITORED:

HB 205: Delaware EARNS - ENACTED

HB

Establishes a state-run voluntary employee IRA savings program.

205: Delaware EARNS - ENACTED

Establishes a state-run voluntary employee IRA savings program.

SS 1 for SB 35: Wage Payment Collection Act - ENACTED

SS 1 for SB 35:

Act - ENACTED

Wage Payment Collection

Defines specific violations of wage payment and collection laws as wage theft.

Defines specific violations of wage payment and collection laws as wage theft.

SS 1 for SB 208: Failure to Pay WagesENACTED

SS 1 for SB 208: Failure to Pay WagesENACTED

Clarifies that an employer is liable to an employee for liquidated damages if the employer does not make wages available on the next payday after an employee quits, resigns, is discharged, suspended, or laid off.

Clarifies that an employer is liable to an employee for liquidated damages if the employer does not make wages available on the next payday after an employee quits, resigns, is discharged, suspended, or laid off.

SB 298: Net-Metering - ENACTED

SB 298: Net-Metering - ENACTED

Amends the rules and regulations promulgated by the Public Service Commission, municipal electric companies, and electric cooperatives regarding net energy metering.

Amends the rules and regulations promulgated by the Public Service Commission, municipal electric companies, and electric cooperatives regarding net energy metering.

SB 262: E-Notarization - ENACTED

SB 262: E-Notarization - ENACTED

Allows notarial officers to perform remote notarization.

Allows notarial officers to perform remote notarization.

HB 257: Natural Minor (Reg. 1102) Fees

HB 257: Natural Minor (Reg. 1102) Fees

Allows for a phased approach to increase natural minor fees to fund the natural minor permit program.

Allows for a phased approach to increase natural minor fees to fund the natural minor permit program.

HB 299: Cash Payments - ENACTED

Prohibits business from refusing to accept cash payment, except in limited circumstances.

HB 299: Cash Payments - ENACTED Prohibits business from refusing to accept cash payment, except in limited circumstances.

HB 77: Flame Retardants - ENACTED

HB 77: Flame Retardants - ENACTED

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of children’s products, upholstered furniture used in residences, and mattresses that contain harmful flame-retardant chemicals.

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of children’s products, upholstered furniture used in residences, and mattresses that contain harmful flame-retardant chemicals.

SB 327: Land Development & SchoolsENACTED

SB 327: Land Development & SchoolsENACTED

Addresses the relation between land development and schools with regards to planning by allowing school boards into the development approval process.

Addresses the relation between land development and schools with regards to planning by allowing school boards into the development approval process.

HB 449: Elevator Mechanics - ENACTED

Creates a new chapter in Title 24 and establishes a regulatory State Board of Elevator Mechanics consisting of five members appointed by the Governor.

HB 449: Elevator Mechanics - ENACTED

Creates a new chapter in Title 24 and establishes a regulatory State Board of Elevator Mechanics consisting of five members appointed by the Governor.

climate that enables all businesses to become more competitive in Delaware.

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

DSCC MONITORED:

DSCC MONITORED:

SB 308:

Fire Safety Standards - ENACTED

SB 308: Fire Safety Standards - ENACTED

Requires all buildings of public accommodation and shared residential buildings to conform to standards that will ensure life-saving alarms and fire dampening efforts are safe and up to nationally recognized standards.

Requires all buildings of public accommodation and shared residential buildings to conform to standards that will ensure life-saving alarms and fire dampening efforts are safe and up to nationally recognized standards.

DSCC OPPOSED:

DSCC OPPOSED:

SB 305:

Climate Change Solutions Act

SB 305: Climate Change Solutions Act

Puts the Governor’s Climate Action plan into law and regulation.

Puts the Governor’s Climate Action plan into law and regulation.

HB 371:

HB 371: Recreational Marijuana Legalization - VETOED

Recreational Marijuana

Legalization - VETOED

Removes all penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, except for those who are under 21 years of age.

Removes all penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, except for those who are under 21 years of age.

HB 372: Recreational Marijuana Legalization - DEFEATED

HB 372: Recreational Marijuana Legalization - DEFEATED

Regulates and taxes marijuana in the same manner as alcohol.

Regulates and taxes marijuana in the same manner as alcohol.

HB 448:

Accessible Parking Spaces

HB 448: Accessible Parking Spaces

Requires property owners to have a permit and process to ensure compliance for new or modified accessible parking spaces.

Requires property owners to have a permit and process to ensure compliance for new or modified accessible parking spaces.

HS 1 for HB 288: PTO

HS

1

to Vote

for HB 288: PTO to Vote

Requires private and public employers to give any Delaware resident who’s scheduled to work at least 7.5 hours on an election day two hours of paid leave to vote.

Requires private and public employers to give any Delaware resident who’s scheduled to work at least 7.5 hours on an election day two hours of paid leave to vote.

HB 409: Sick and Safety

Leave

HB 409:

Sick and Safety Leave

Requires all employers to provide employees with one hour of sick/safety leave for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 40 hours per year, which can be carried over from one year to the next and capped at 80 hours.

Requires all employers to provide employees with one hour of sick/safety leave for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 40 hours per year, which can be carried over from one year to the next and capped at 80 hours.

HB 435:

HB 262:

Data Broker and Consumer Protections

HB 262:

Data Broker and Consumer Protections

Requires businesses that sell data to pay a fee, register with the Department of Justice and answer a series of questions regarding their privacy policy.

Requires businesses that sell data to pay a fee, register with the Department of Justice and answer a series of questions regarding their privacy policy.

HB 220: Green Amendment

HB 220: Green Amendment

Amends Delaware’s Constitution that would create an inherent and inalienable right for all Delawareans to a clean and healthy environment.

Amends Delaware’s Constitution that would create an inherent and inalienable right for all Delawareans to a clean and healthy environment.

Community Workforce Agreement Act

HB

435:

Community Workforce Agreement Act

Mandates that all public works projects over $3 million be subject to a Community Workforce Agreement (CWA), meaning all contractors and subcontractors would have to sign an agreement with organized labor to perform work on said projects.

Mandates that all public works projects over $3 million be subject to a Community Workforce Agreement (CWA), meaning all contractors and subcontractors would have to sign an agreement with organized labor to perform work on said projects.

Transportation & Insurance Coverage

SB 209:

- ENACTED

SB 209: Transportation & Insurance Coverage - ENACTED

Requires public carriers, TNCs and the Delaware Transportation Authority to possess uninsured Wand underinsured insurance coverage.

Requires public carriers, TNCs and the Delaware Transportation Authority to possess uninsured Wand underinsured insurance coverage.

*Unless it’s denoted that the legislation was enacted, defeated, or vetoed, it did not complete the legislative process and will have to be reintroduced again this year.

*Unless it’s denoted that the legislation was enacted, defeated, or vetoed, it did not complete the legislative process and will have to be reintroduced again this year.

2023 PRIORITIES FOR DELAWARE

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is uniquely positioned to bring people together to solve problems, create jobs, promote business, and improve the quality of life for all Delawareans. This list of priorities impacts businesses, both large and small, in every industry across the state of Delaware.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING & EDUCATION

• Promote policies that support training and skills programs that align with the needs of employers and their employees

• Support polices that do not impose wage and benefits requirements on employers, which impact their ability to operate and remain competitive

• Create employment opportunities with an emphasis on building trades, technology, health care, and logistics

• Rebuild Delaware’s skilled-trades workforce by supporting meaningful revisions to the Delaware Department of Labor’s apprentice-to-journeyman training ratios

• Support employer-led diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

• Back employment opportunities for second chance individuals and help solve outdated barriers to re-entry

ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, & SUSTAINABILITY

• Support environmental policies that reflect collaboration between all stakeholders to create practical policies and solutions that improve the environment while growing Delaware’s economy

• Promote and incentivize private sector efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through investments in technological innovation and the creation of clean new jobs

• Support the cleanup of brownfield sites

• Invest in infrastructure that improves resiliency from coastal flooding

HEALTH CARE

• Encourage workplace wellness programs and policies that allow companies to use personal technology devices to improve employee health and wellness

• Work to find alternative health care insurance plans that include essential health benefits

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Continue supporting legislation such as Ready in 6 that streamlines the permitting process while ensuring projects are completed in a timely manner without sacrificing public health or safety

• Find ways for state and local governments to coordinate permit approval processes

• Invest in site readiness so that businesses seeking to expand or relocate have a wide range of options “on the shelf” to select from and create jobs for Delawareans

• Support contract awards based on open competition and competitive bidding

TECHNOLOGY

• Inform lawmakers about the benefits of a data-driven economy and oppose policies that overregulate data, which benefits business, government, and consumers

• Support digital transformation efforts both within and across State agencies to streamline and modernize information technology systems

FISCAL POLICY

• Promote pro-growth tax policies that preserve Delaware’s competitiveness and increase business’ ability to expand and create jobs

• Support tax policies that incentivize workforce training

• Encourage timely and strategic spending of federal resources on infrastructure and one-time investments

DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

1201 N. Orange St. | Ste. 200 | P.O. Box 671 | Wilmington, DE 19899-0671 | Phone: (302) 655-7221 | www.DSCC.com

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LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY

Welcome Members of the 152nd General Assembly

BY TYLER MICIK

TO MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

On behalf of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, please accept our sincerest congratulations on your success in the November elections and best wishes as you begin the 152nd Delaware General Assembly.

The State Chamber is the state’s largest business advocacy organization—representing employers and their employees. We hope that your body of work in 2023 will position Delaware for success, and we look forward to working with you. In that spirit we submit to you our policy priorities, which you can find on page 16 and on our website. It includes items we believe need action. Our policy priorities are a coordinated list of feedback from our members, which includes businesses of all sizes and industries across the state.

TO OUR MEMBERS: It’s important to note that nine new legislators were elected in November. That includes three seats in the Senate and six in the House. Six of the nine seats were open following the retirements of Representatives David Bentz, Andria Bennett, John Kowalko, and Senators Bruce Ennis and Ernie Lopez. Additionally, two other seats were open after Representative Steve Smyk chose to run for State Senate instead of his House seat, and an extra seat was created in central Sussex County after redistricting. The nine newly elected legislators are: Russ Huxtable (SD 6), Kyra Hoffner (SD 14), Eric Buckson (SD 16), Jeff Hilovsky (RD 4), DeShanna Neal (RD 13), Sophie Phillips (RD 18), Stell Parker Selby (RD 20), Cyndie Romer (RD 25), and Kerri Evelyn Harris (RD 32).

The makeup of Democrats to Republicans in the House will remain the same at 26 (D) to 15 (R). In the Senate, Democrats picked up one seat, strengthening their majority to 15 and reducing the Republican Caucus to six.

The House Democratic Caucus will remain the same with Pete Schwartzkopf as Speaker of the House and Valerie Longhurst as Majority Leader. Melissa Minor-Brown has been named the new Majority Whip, replacing Larry Mitchell who lost his primary. The Senate Democratic Caucus remains the same with President Pro Tempore David Sokola, Majority Leader Bryan Townsend,

and Majority Whip Elizabeth Lockman. On the Republican side, the House will see new leadership with Mike Ramone as Minority Leader and Lyndon Yearick as Minority Whip. The Senate Minority Caucus remains the same with Gerald Hocker as Minority Leader and Brian Pettyjohn as Minority Whip.

Overall, voter turnout was down this year. According to the Delaware Department of Elections, approximately 325,620 ballots were cast out of 762,908 registered voters—that’s a 42.68 percent turnout. In 2018, the last midterm election cycle, 52.2 percent of eligible Delawareans voted.

Thomas Jefferson once said: “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” Whatever your opinions may be on Delaware’s elections, the results are in, and the 152nd General Assembly convenes on January 10. The State Chamber will continue to do our part to help bridge all sides and advocate for Delaware employers and their employees. But we need you to participate! Schedule a meeting with a legislator, testify at a committee hearing, or join a State Chamber committee. The policy decisions made over the next six months will have an impact on you, your employees, and Delaware’s future.

To learn more about the election results and implications, the State Chamber’s policy priorities for 2023, or join a committee, please reach out to me at tmicik@dscc.com.

The Wilmington Alliance brings people together to drive innovative solutions, leverage resources and promote opportunities to empower the city’s residents and businesses.

Our Vision is Wilmington will be a thriving community that offers opportunities and access to all.

Our strength has always been convening organizations and resources, gathering them around projects. This collaborative model - coupled with decades of experience and successful neighborhood revitalization work - positions us to strategically identify barriers, fill gaps, align organizations, and pull resources from all sectors in Wilmington.

The Alliance, led by CEO Renata B. Kowalczyk, works to make Wilmington a more beautiful, safer, and thriving city that provides opportunity for all through our programs in Workforce Development; Entrepreneurship and Small Business Support; and Creative Placemaking.

Member news&Notes

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

O’Rourke Investigative Associates, Inc.

BY ISABEL LEVATINO

›› Michael T. O’Rourke arrived in the First State in 1976 as an active duty airman at Dover Air Force Base and has been here ever since, noting there is “no better place to live, work, and raise a family than Delaware” and that “[he] wouldn’t rather live anywhere else.”

O’Rourke noticed a void of private investigators in Delaware and quickly jumped on the opportunity. Founded in 1998, O’Rourke Investigative Associates was on a mission to serve the diverse clientele in Delaware. With their headquarters in the heart of Wilmington’s Lawyers Row, community relationships are one of their top priorities. To a business owner, it is of utmost importance to build a good rapport with your clients, and O’Rourke has done just that. His business has accrued much success from referrals and takes great pride in the trust and transparency he has built with his clients. The team promises to give their clients what they want, in a timely fashion, at a reasonable rate. As they enter their 26th year in business, it is clear that O’Rourke Investigative Associates is a staple in the private investigation industry.

This family business was built from the ground up. O’Rourke recruited top law enforcement agents at the state and federal level to help him with his

mission, and made connections with the government entities that he would later collaborate with. Operating by the motto “Trust but Verify,” O’Rourke and his team work tirelessly to gather all the facts and data to best support their clients. “We’re fact finders. When a legal issue arises that requires clarification, an investigation is necessary to obtain the facts,” he says.

The state-police-licensed business is comprised of four departments: criminal, civil, domestic, and process serving. Each team handles their own tasks, ranging from criminal defense investigations to civil tort cases, and human resource inquiries. The team at O’Rourke Investigative Associates— currently consisting of 35 employees— can more so be described as a family. They work together 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year.

This work ethic and commitment has paid off as O’Rourke Investigative Associates expanded their network by opening offices in Cape May, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lewes, Delaware; as well as Boca Raton and Orlando, Florida. Already having proven themselves in Wilmington, the company decided to dip their toes into different

markets. O’Rourke explains that logical, controlled expansion is healthy for any business. It was due to their reputable service in Delaware that success was also seen in these new regions.

O’Rourke Investigative Associates is the quintessential model for family-owned and operated businesses in Delaware. The tight-knit team is most committed to protecting the community and providing all with their highly rated services. “Our highly trained and experienced staff has an extensive investigative reach and access to timely, cost-effective results that are second to none.”

Isabel Levatino served as a policy intern with the Delaware State Chamber in the fall of 2022. She is a senior at the University of Delaware majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology.

Member news&Notes

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Children & Families First

BY AMANDA SCHIMMEL

on these successes and broaden our reach in those places.”

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In times of instability, the needs of our community rise and beckon for help. Answering these calls for assistance—whether it be through visiting pregnant and parenting women or providing foster care and adoption resources—is Children & Families First, a nonprofit that prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of every Delaware family and their children.

What began as a response to community needs arising from a financial crisis in the 1880s, Children & Families First stands resilient today as one of Delaware’s oldest and most respected statewide nonprofit organizations. Providing support through evidence-based practice and innovative approaches, they live through the action of their commitment, one that empowers

them to proudly and accurately state, “Our name is our promise.” CEO Kirsten Olson explains, “We have a very robust continuation of services. Our primary goal has always been recognizing and being responsive to the current needs of kids and families in Delaware.”

The aid that Children & Families First (CFF) offers encompasses a wide array of services, including early childhood programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start. Spanning more than 50 years, the federally-funded Head Start programs support children’s growth from birth to age five through early learning and development services. Olson reflects on their school-based work when she remarks, “It’s a great place to reach and connect with the kids. We’re always looking at how we can continue to build

When the work is directly linked to the community, a powerful bond inevitably forms. “Whether it’s delivering a service in someone’s home, in a school, or at the library, we’re trying to be a part of the fabric of the community,” says Olson. “We are here to champion children and families in Delaware and to meet those needs at the individual level. Our work encourages a thriving community.”

This commitment to a robust community also translates into Children & Families First’s work culture, as it was recently recognized as a Top Workplace for the twelfth time—with Olson herself being recognized and honored as one of Delaware’s Top Leaders. Just as its employees stress the importance of mental health when they interact with the community, the organization also places a high importance on staff wellness.

Olson shares, “We are very focused on understanding brain science and the

impacts of trauma and adversity, both for the folks we serve and for our staff. This is a critical foundation to our mission as an organization.”

How can you get involved? According to Olson, there is opportunity for every individual, business, and communitybased group to take action. For those seeking career opportunities, CFF has openings in varied professional backgrounds statewide. For those interested in volunteer and support opportunities, hosting drives and helping to raise special funds are an excellent way to give back to the community. “To get involved is to help us get tangible things like diapers and storybooks into the hands of our kids and families,” Olson says. “We also operate a fund that helps kids and families meet emergency needs. It could be a new school uniform, a bed, or a car repair; those kinds of things can present significant barriers to families.”

Children & Families First is truly pioneering the community’s needs with a genuine desire to improve the lives of everyone they assist. By helping even just one family, the organization inspires a ripple effect within the entire community, thus ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

Amanda Schimmel currently serves as a communications assistant at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

Graduating from the University of Delaware in spring 2023, she is pursuing an Honors Economics and English degree.

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT: Employer Advocacy

BY TYLER MICIK

The State Chamber’s Employer Advocacy Committee met in late October for their quarterly meeting. The committee was joined by Chris Counihan, Delaware Department of Labor’s (DOL) Paid Family and Medical Leave implementation manager. Counihan joined the Department in August with the task of setting up the new insurance program, along with a new division within the DOL to administer it. The new division will add between 35 to 60 employees to the Department, and they expect to be fully staffed by 2025.

Counihan discussed a few details within the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program—who is covered, when the program begins, and when benefits are available. Some important dates for employers to be aware of:

• January 1, 2024 – Final deadline for all Delaware employers to provide notice they have opted out of Delaware’s public plan. Employers with 10 or more employees are automatically enrolled unless you opt out and provide proof of private or self-insurance.

• January 1, 2025 – Payroll taxes start being collected. Contribution is 0.8 percent and is split between employer and employee.

• January 1, 2026 – Claims start being accepted and paid.

Additionally, Counihan asked committee members for ideas on how the program could be set up, so the system is simple and smooth for both employers and their employees to use.

One topic considered was eliminating

double entry of information. In addition to passing the Healthy Delaware Families Act (PFML), the General Assembly also passed Delaware EARNS, which establishes a State-run voluntary employee IRA savings program. Both programs start the same day—January 1, 2025. Similarly, both require the creation of two new programs within two separate departments, one within the DOL and other in the State Treasurer’s office. Considering this, our members suggested creating a “one stop” system where employers can go to input information once for both programs.

Small businesses have limited resources and creating a system that gives employers the ability to input information once for a variety of programs, such as PFML and EARNS, is important because it streamlines the process and saves employers valuable time and resources.

Taking the committee’s suggestion into consideration, after the meeting, Counihan held a preliminary meeting with the State Treasurer’s office to create a single data entry point for both programs. Additionally, they will be extending this initiative so that it becomes part of the DOL’s Unemployment Insurance and Workers Comp modernization efforts. There are also conversations on looping in the Department of Revenue so that all these programs and taxes are submitted through one entry point.

If you would like to participate in the Employer Advocacy Committee, please contact me at tmicik@dscc.com.

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Member news&Notes

Compass program provides patients with access to resources like social workers, dietitians, health coaches and care coordinators, and the ability to monitor vital signs to help them reach their long-term health goals. The infusion center provides access to care for patients who can’t take medication orally or those who do not respond well to standard types of medication. Coordination with the patient’s doctors and insurance company is included to ensure an easy process for the patient. “Being a pharmacist allows us to be local, which I love,” says Patel. “But these other ventures help us provide care that I never imagined I’d be able to give seven years ago.”

DIVERSE SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT: Ivira Health

BY REGINA DONATO

Top-notch health care services should be a right, not a privilege. A typical pharmacy trip usually consists of picking up a prescription, an employee asking if you have any questions for your pharmacist and sending you on your way. Dr. Jay Patel founded Ivira Health in 2015 with the intention of making a trip to the pharmacy more meaningful by providing “care that’s always there”.

After debating between opening his first pharmacy in his hometown of Scranton, PA and Wilmington, DE, Patel decided to take the leap and serve those in need of quality health services here in Delaware. Since opening his first location on Greenhill Avenue in the city of Wilmington, the company has since expanded to include five retail pharmacies across multiple states, as well as a specialty pharmacy, an infusion center, and a care coordination

group. “Here at Ivira, filling the medication is only a part of the job for us,” explains Patel. “The rest of it is making sure that our patients are connected to the personalized services that will best serve their needs.”

Ivira Health’s four different branches are all aimed at providing well-rounded and exceptional care for their patients. “Our goal is to become a one-stopshop so that all patients’ health care needs are met within a singular entity,” continues Patel. “By managing medications, infusions, monitoring conditions, and coordinating care, we can ensure that no patient gets lost in an overwhelming healthcare system.”

The organization’s newest subsidiaries, the Care Compass and Infusion Center legs, are especially unique, giving the ability to provide holistic care to their patients. The Care

As a community-focused company, Ivira is strategically placed in lowerincome neighborhoods to help those who need it most. Additionally, Ivira Health gives back to the community in a multitude of other ways: including participating in health fairs and charity events, providing educational materials, and partnering with various businesses and nonprofits across the state. “To us, giving back doesn’t always mean signing a check,” reflects Patel. “Sometimes going out physically and doing services in the community or giving something unique to our patients is what makes a difference.”

Looking forward, Patel and his team want to continue providing “care that’s always there” for the Delaware community and beyond, hoping to continue expanding into other states. As a testament to their hard work and care for the Delaware community, Ivira Health was given an award of excellence at the Delaware State Chamber’s 24th Annual Superstars in Business luncheon in November 2022.

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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

Your

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!

WSFS Bank has been serving this region for nearly 200 years. We understand the needs, hopes and aspirations of the people and businesses who call this region home. And what’s more, with our resources and capabilities we’re the bank from here that can take you anywhere. So whether you want to plan for your future, buy a new home, improve the one you have, grow your business, or start a new one – WSFS is here for you. And now the question is, where do you want to go?

Member news&Notes

Keeping Emerging Talent Right Here, in Delaware

BY HELANA RODRIGUEZ

Rowan University senior Joe Carriero spent summer 2022 as a commercial banking intern at Fulton Bank. A New Jersey native, Joe started his internship with limited expectations of Delaware and the unique culture it affords young talent starting their careers. And yet, following graduation, Joe plans to bring his skillset back to the First State! He attributes his decision to his well-rounded experience with Fulton Bank and the State Chamber’s Intern Delaware program.

We had a chance to catch up with Joe to hear how Intern Delaware impacted him and his decision.

Can you describe your experience in the Intern Delaware program? What did you learn?

I was encouraged to participate in the program when I started my internship with Fulton Bank.

Little did I know that this program would be the highlight of my internship experience! The program allowed our cohort to network with a vast number of industry professionals who offered great advice on how to set ourselves up for success and make a lasting impression during our internships. I developed strong bonds with other interns in the state, who I still stay in touch with today. The program offered diverse event programming; even the casual networking events had unique aspects to them. Overall, Intern Delaware was an incredibly positive experience.

As an out-of-state participant, what did you learn from Intern Delaware that you may not have otherwise experienced?

Born and raised in New Jersey, I always knew that Delaware was just “over the bridge,” but I never realized how different Delaware really is. Everyone I met through Intern Delaware says that Delaware is a tight-knit community where people can count on their fellow Delawareans whenever they need help. It also feels like there is more opportunity to build a career in Delaware than in the neighboring states. Businesses across the state are growing rapidly, and there is so much potential for innovation, collaboration, and connection between every industry sector. For these reasons, Intern Delaware has opened my eyes to the career opportunities Delaware has to offer, and I will be looking to return after I graduate!

What was your biggest takeaway from your internship? How do you think it prepared you for your career?

Always go the extra mile. Often, there are work events that may be after business hours or take away from time spent working on a project. If you can properly manage your time, it is always a good idea to go out and network with people both within and outside your company. There’s always something to learn. The person you meet today may end up interviewing you for your dream job tomorrow. I believe these networking

tips can help any business professional and this advice has prepared me well for my full-time career.

What advice do you have for future interns who will go through the program?

Get involved! Intern Delaware will only help you if you are a willing and active member. Even if an event does not match your career interests, there is so much to learn from the speakers, your peers, and members of the Delaware State Chamber, who run the Intern Delaware program. You will not regret becoming a part of this program, and I wish you all the best in starting your careers!

Intern Delaware is dedicated to helping build Delaware’s future workforce by keeping talent in the First State. The 2023 program will run from June 5 through August 11, 2023. Learn how your company and interns can become involved by contacting Helana Rodriguez at hrodriguez@dscc.com.

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Member news&Notes

Timothy U. Boulden Honored for Small Business Leadership

››

In a surprise announcement at the 24th Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business awards luncheon, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce awarded the esteemed Marvin S. Gilman Bowl to Timothy U. Boulden, president of Boulden Brothers Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric.

“Tim’s commitment to Delaware small businesses, particularly one that is family-owned, makes my family and

the selection committee excited to have chosen him as this year’s recipient in honor of my grandfather, Marvin S. Gilman,” said Brett Gilman Smith.

Named in memory of Marvin S. Gilman—who served as an exemplary leader and a paragon of small business in Delaware—the Gilman Bowl was established as a tribute to small business leadership. The identity of the recipient of the Gilman Bowl was held

confidential until its presentation at the awards ceremony.

The company has been a fixture in Delaware’s business community since 1946, ensuring the delivery of quality plumbing, heating, air, and electrical services. A family-owned business, Tim has been working for Boulden Brothers for 34 years. In 2007, his father transitioned ownership to both him and his brother, Mike.

A servant leader, the company’s vision statement— Making Lives Better—comes from Tim’s belief that one should always strive to help others. Tim’s involvement in the community is extensive for this reason. He has served on the boards of the Business Bureau of Delaware, Delaware Business Roundtable, New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, NFIB of Delaware, Mid-Atlantic Ballet, Delaware Council on Economic Education, Newark Charter School, and Saint Mark’s High School, to name a few. He also encourages his employees to give back through the Boulden Brothers Cares program, which Tim personally funds. The program has allowed the company and its employees to support local groups like Little League teams, donate adaptive bikes to children through Preston’s March for Energy, and provide Christmas gifts to children staying at the Sunday Breakfast Mission.

As a small business owner, Tim knows and understands the challenges small businesses experience every day. In 1994, Tim was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives where he served five terms until retiring from politics in 2004. During his tenure, Tim used his experience and passion for small business to help shape legislation that helped businesses grow and thrive in Delaware.

“This award is very meaningful to me,” said Boulden upon accepting the award. “Thank you to the State Chamber, the Gilman family, and the community for recognizing my passion to ensure the smallest of businesses in Delaware still have a voice.”

“Tim is the definition of a small business leader,” said Michael Quaranta, president of the State Chamber. “He has worked tirelessly over the years to promote and lift up small businesses in the First State through his public policy and community efforts.”

“We are pleased that Tim is being recognized with this year’s Gilman Bowl,” said Martha Gilman. “His efforts in business and the community certainly embody my father’s legacy.”

The awards event also honored eight outstanding companies as Superstars in Business and Award of Excellence winners. Winner videos and event information can be found at www.DSCC.com/SuperstarsinBusiness. The program included remarks from Katey Jo Evans, co-found and owner of The Frozen Farmer.

186th ANNUAL DINNER

Member news&Notes

Hello, Avelo!

AVELO AIRLINES ESTABLISHES NEW EAST COAST BASE AT WILMINGTON AIRPORT

Delaware will soon have regularly scheduled commercial air service again! Beginning February 1, 2023, Avelo Airlines will initially fly nonstop to five popular Florida destinations from its fourth base at Wilmington Airport (ILG): Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. This new base will unlock a new era of affordable, convenient, and reliable air service for the Delaware Valley, encompassing portions of four states, including Delaware,

Southeastern Pennsylvania / Philadelphia, South Jersey, and the northern Eastern Shore of Maryland.

In announcing the new service at a community press conference in mid-October, Avelo Airlines Founder, Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy said, “The Delaware Valley region wants and needs more affordable, convenient, and reliable air travel. Avelo was founded with a simple purpose—to Inspire Travel. Our everyday low fares and nonstop flights

to five sun-soaked Florida destinations coupled with the fast and seamless experience at Wilmington Airport will make traveling easier than ever.”

Connecting an Ultra-Convenient Airport with America’s Affordable, Reliable, and Convenient Airline

According to Delaware River & Bay Authority Executive Director Thomas J. Cook, Wilmington Airport and Avelo Airlines are a perfect fit. “The Airport’s

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excellent location along the busy I-95 corridor, along with the lowest cost operating environment of any airport in the United States, offer customers the opportunity to forego the stress, expense, and hassles of a big city airport,” Cook said. “Avelo Airlines also recognizes the benefits that Wilmington Airport offers and is eager to be part of our community. It’s a great day for Delaware and more importantly, for travelers who are looking for affordable, convenient commercial air service options.”

ILG will be Avelo’s fourth base. The airline currently operates bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut’s TweedNew Haven Airport (HVN), and Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Avelo will initially base one Boeing Next-Generation (NG) 737 at ILG. To support its ILG base, the airline will initially create at least 35 jobs.

Avelo was founded with a vision to help its customers save money and time. Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has grown to serve more than 30 destinations across the U.S. The airline has brought more convenience, choice, and competition in air travel by flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country with at least one small hometown airport on every Avelo route.

Avelo Customers can always change or cancel their itineraries with no extra fees. Avelo also offers several unbundled travelenhancing options that give customers

Avelo ILG Flight Schedule

Orlando (MCO)

Special Inaugural Flight

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Effective February 3, 2023 –Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays

Fort Lauderdale (FLL)

Effective February 2, 2023 –Thursdays and Sundays

Tampa (TPA)

Effective February 2, 2023 –Thursdays and Sundays

Fort Myers (RSW)

Effective February 3, 2023 –Mondays and Fridays

West Palm Beach (PBI)

Effective February 4, 2023 –Wednesday and Saturdays

For flight information and reservations, please visit AveloAir.com.

the flexibility to pay for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and bringing a pet in the cabin.

At Avelo, every flight is also nonstop. This connection-free travel experience not only provides Avelo customers with a faster and simpler travel experience, but also minimizes delays, cancellations, and lost bags. In fact, Avelo has established itself as one of America’s most reliable airlines with a year-to-date flight cancellation rate of one percent and industry-leading bag handling performance.

Member news&Notes

Introducing the Wilmington University School of Law

The Wilmington University School of Law will welcome its first classes in the fall of 2023 at the University’s Brandywine Valley location.

That’s good news for Delawareans. According to Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA) President Charles J. Durante, Esq., the need for lawyers in Delaware has “more than doubled.”

At the University’s October press conference, Durante expressed his hope that WilmU’s law school will be able to provide Delaware with a muchneeded new generation of well-grounded attorneys, and he pledged DSBA’s support of the school and its students.

Dean Phillip J. Closius, J.D., will utilize his extensive experience in academia and legal practice to ensure student success, as well as realize his vision of an inventive school of law that will meet the demands of modern law practice and students.

“The values of this university match perfectly with the ideals I wanted for a truly unique and innovative law school,” states Closius.

Committed to Accessibility

The law school will serve qualified students from all walks of life, including traditional- and non-traditional-age students, professionals transitioning from other careers, and multicultural populations.

“We are committed to being an active partner in the implementation of the Delaware Supreme Court strategic plan for improving diversity of the bench and the bar including the severe

underrepresentation of the African American community that is noted in that plan,” says Closius.

Convenient schedule options and flexible formats will make earning a legal education a viable option for working adults. Small class sizes will ensure faculty and staff can foster meaningful relationships with students and help them achieve their goals.

Making Law School Affordable

Most of today’s law students face exorbitant tuition rates for their legal education, and their starting salaries are rarely commensurate with their debts. As a result, many graduates are forced to choose alternative career trajectories.

The Wilmington University School of Law will offer the lowest tuition rates of any law school in the region, in addition to scholarships, tuition assistance, and comprehensive student services.

Closely Integrated with the Delaware Legal Community

Students will be encouraged to work with Delaware lawyers and judges and become involved in pro bono activities statewide. Closius notes that students will also have access to mentors, as well as a speaker series featuring lawyers practicing in various specialties.

At WilmU, students in their third year will be able to craft their schedules to

include internships, doctrinal courses of interest to them, or a combination of both. Students interested in practicing in Delaware will therefore be able to satisfy the Delaware preceptor practice requirement in their final year instead of during their first 21 weeks of practice, which is usually the case.

To learn more about Wilmington University’s School of Law and its juris doctor degree with three program options, visit law.wilmu.edu

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With its inclusive culture and commitment to accessibility, Wilmington University’s new law school will educate attorneys who meet the needs of the communities they serve and will make a case for a more diverse legal field.

Dean Phillip J. Closius of Wilmington University’s School of Law

WELCOME New Members

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Since 1964, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Delaware has been providing mentors for at-risk youth between the ages of six and 17 throughout the state. BBBS of Delaware has offices and operations in each of the three counties in Delaware and serves over 1,100 children annually. BBBS of Delaware is committed to evidence-based services that will help to ensure that every mentored child succeeds.

DELAWARE PUBLIC MEDIA www.delawarepublic.org (302) 740-3220 P.O. Box 455 Dover, DE 19903

Delaware Public Media presents high-quality statewide news in a rich combination of audio, video, and text. You can find them on air, 24/7, at WMHS 88.1 FM, WDDE 91.1 FM, or streaming online. As an NPR member station, they feature the best in national and international news programming from NPR as well as exclusive Delaware news from their own DPM news staff headquartered in Dover.

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across the globe. The mission is to provide solutions to enhance quality of life through effective fitness coaching strategies.

FIRST CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANK www.firstcitizensbank.com (800) 326-9486 1011 Centre Rd., Ste. 119 Wilmington, DE 19805

FCCB’s roots go back to 1872 when Andrew Ross and Philip Williams opened the first bank in Mansfield, PA—the Ross and Williams Bank. They have since grown to operate 31 offices throughout Tioga, Bradford, Potter, Clinton, Centre, Union, Lebanon, Lancaster, Schuylkill, Berks, and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania; Allegany County, New York; and New Castle and Kent Counties in Delaware.

IMMUNOTEK BIO CENTERS, LLC www.immunotek.com (302) 295-9080 3006 Governor Printz Blvd. Wilmington, DE 19802

With a combined 150 years in the industry, ImmunoTek Bio Centers is positioned to provide the best care and service to enhance the lives of their employees, donors, and patients through plasma collection. Visit one of their locations today to learn more about how ImmunoTek Bio Centers can help improve your life.

MCCONNELL JOHNSON REAL ESTATE LLC www.mcconnellco.com (302) 421-2005

1201 N. Market St., Ste. 101B Wilmington, DE 19801 McConnell Johnson Real Estate offers

commercial and industrial properties and development services in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Mid-Atlantic region. They offer a first-class portfolio, decades of local knowledge, and a deep respect for the clients they serve and the community.

MCHUGH INSURANCE GROUP

www.mchughinsurancegroup.com (302) 299-9199 3911 Concord Pike, Unit 7261 Wilmington, DE 19803

McHugh Insurance Group (MIG) was founded with the idea that “doing things the way they’ve always been done” has become a detriment to insurance consumers. With nearly 10 years of experience in the insurance industry, they understand how to solve client’s needs, yet are still innovating the way people view and buy insurance.

MOSAIC DELAWARE

www.mosaicinfo.org (302) 456-5995

260 Chapman Rd., Ste. 201 Newark, DE 19702

Mosaic stands alongside people with intellectual disabilities to bring awareness to issues that affect their lives. They actively advocate for disability rights, encourage self-advocacy, and promote public policy that positively impacts the people they serve. Mosaic also supports individuals with IDD with residential support in eight group homes across the state.

MOUNTAINEER LOGISTICS

www.mountaineerlogistics.com (302) 981-4187

P.O. Box 611

Townsend, DE 19734

Mountaineer Logistics is a full-service transportation company that provides courier, distribution, and freight broker services. They specialize in providing on-time pickup and delivery services to various sectors, including pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, government agencies, manufacturers, and more.

RAPPORT IT SERVICES INC. www.rapportit.com (302) 442-2409

253 Peoples Way, Ste. 210 Hockessin, DE 19707

Rapport IT Services Inc. is a dynamic company based in Delaware that provides technical, business, and recruitment

consulting services. They partner with their clients to plan for strategic advantages, help them in sourcing the right talent, and developing and managing their workforce.

RUZO SOLUTIONS

(678) 595-1131

748 Burke Rd. Atlanta, GA 30305

Ruzo Solutions is a boutique managing and strategy consulting firm with a specialty in early-stage life science companies.

TASK FORCE SECURITY SERVICES LLC www.taskforcesecurityservices.com (302) 476-4064

1148 Pulaski Hwy. #339 Bear, DE 19701

Task Force Security Services provides a

wide range of services, including private investigation services, threat assessment, security consultations, executive protection, and private security services.

WHITE CLAY CREEK COUNTRY CLUB

www.whiteclaycreek.com (302) 994-6700

894 Delaware Park Blvd. Wilmington, DE 19897

White Clay Creek Country Club is a public golf club located in Wilmington, Delaware. Their 18-hole, par 72 public golf course— designed by Arthur Hills, ASGCA/Steve Forest & Associates—features 7,007 yards of manicured greens and breathtaking views. Complimenting the course is a full-service clubhouse, a pro shop, and teaching facilities.

Mark

CHAMBER SCENE

2022: A YEAR IN PHOTOS

1. Our first in-person event of the year was a networking breakfast at MySherpa

2. M. Davis & Sons (left) and Zip Code Wilmington (right) were given the Warrior Friendly Business Award in February.

3. FMC’s Dr. Kathleen Shelton delivered her keynote address at the 185th Annual Dinner.

4. This year’s Marvel Cup recipient was Fred C. Sears II. His sons, Jason and Graham, and grandson, Charlie accepted the Marvel Cup on his behalf.

5. Scott Malfitano was voted as 2022 board member of the year. 6. The Wilmington Blue Rocks hosted our April networking breakfast at Frawley Stadium. 7. Superstars in Education & Training awards were given to Year Up Wilmington, Hodgson’s ACE Mentoring Program, and the The Food Bank of Delaware’s Culinary School & L.O.G.I.C. Training Programs (left to right).

1. Corteva’s Rick Deadwyler and his foursome at our DYPN Golf Outing.

2. STAT International hosted our May networking breakfast. 3. The John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership award was given to Skip Schoenhals, Ernie Dianastasis, and Gary Stockbridge.

4. Our June networking breakfast was held outdoors at the Boy Scouts of Del-Mar-Va Council’s Akridge Scout Reservation.

5. Doneene Damon of Richards, Layton, & Finger spoke at our May Chamber Leadership breakfast.

6. Susan Kelliher, Kelly Basile, and Megan Couch (left to right) filmed an episode of the Conversations with Kelly podcast at Chemours’ Wilmington headquarters. 7. Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf spoke at our End-ofSession Policy Conference. 8. DuPont’s Jason Gonzalez and Incyte’s Paula Swain in front of Incyte’s living wall.

Intern Delaware participants took a trip to Legislative Hall in June.

1. A little rain didn’t stop golfers at our Chamber Chase Golf Tournament in September!

2. L&W Insurance showed off their new Greenville office at a networking breakfast in August.

3. Dr. Kathleen Matt of the University of Delaware was August’s Chamber Leadership speaker.

4. We hosted an evening mixer at Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach.

5. The Delaware Networking Station attracted over 400 people to the Chase Center in September.

6. DSCC staff posed for a picture at our networking breakfast at University of Delaware Athletics’ new Whitney Athletic Center.

7. October’s networking breakfast was hosted at Delaware Tech’s newly renovated Student Success Center.

8. Fall DYPN events included axe throwing at Constitution Yards (below) and a happy hour at The Quoin’s rooftop bar (above).

9.Developing Delaware featured mutliple speakers and panels, including two hosted by Governor John Carney (left) and the Delaware IT Industry Council’s Zakiyyah Ali (right).

Reception

Chairman

Leadership

Assurance Media, LLC

Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, CPAs

Blackwell HR Solutions

Brown Advisory

CBM Insurance

Colonial Parking, Inc.

Cover & Rossiter

DE Cadillac, DE Subaru & Kia of Wilmington

Delaware Electric Cooperative

Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Ambassador

Advocate

Small Business Leader

Diamond Technologies, Inc.

Easterseals DE & MD’s Eastern Shore

Environmental Alliance, Inc.

Evergreen Apartment Group

Exceptional Care for Children

George & Lynch, Inc.

Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County

Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health

Horizon Farm Credit milliCare Floor & Textile Care

New Castle Insurance

O.A. Newton

The Precisionists, Inc.

Ronald McDonald House of DE

Santora CPA Group

VanDemark & Lynch, Inc.

Weiner Benefits Group, LLC

Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC

Wohlsen Construction

Your Part-Time Controller

David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare

Health Care in a Rapidly Changing County

How Beebe is meeting the challenges

BY ANDREW SHARP | PHOTOS BY DICK DUBROFF/FINAL FOCUS

DR. DAVID TAM was looking forward to the cross-country trip, a break between jobs. He was about to become the new president and CEO for Beebe Healthcare in Sussex County. But first, he planned to enjoy a week to himself, unplugging from the news cycle, taking in the scenery, and listening to audiobooks.

It was March 2020.

Tam was set to take on his new role in April, but his wife, Rebecca, called March 13, partway through his cross-country drive in a U-Haul from California. She had news about the novel coronavirus, which would

later become COVID-19, that had been rampaging through China: It had arrived in the U.S.

So much for a relaxing trip. Tam launched into his new job weeks early with a crisis on his hands.

He’s guided Beebe through those turbulent times, which coincided with a number of other challenges downstate: A rapidly growing and increasingly elderly population, pockets of poverty in the community, a nationwide shortage of health care workers, changes in health care technology, and an increasingly diverse population dealing with some language barriers.

Those watching his leadership have been impressed. Veteran physician Ronald Blanck, who in his military career served among other roles as commander of Walter Reed Medical Center, has seen Tam’s career unfold over the past decades. Blanck, who now lives in Fenwick, says Tam brings commitment and dedication to his role.

“He came up at a very difficult, challenging time right at the beginning of COVID,” Blanck says. “And I thought he did a super job in making Beebe visible, in providing information to patients who were hungry for it … I think Beebe has and David has become a trusted source of that information.”

Tam has also done a great job bringing in top medical talent and getting out into the community, Blanck says.

Plunging into immediate conversations about COVID with local and state leaders helped Tam out as he started the job, relying on his Navy training as a retired captain and years as a physician leader and health care administrator.

“It gave me an opportunity to jump right in and accelerate the building of relationships,” he says.

A history of growth and change

Sussex County residents have been able to turn to Beebe since 1916, when Drs. James and Richard Beebe established a small hospital. Those few rooms were the first hospital space in the county. It has been growing ever since.

In the past few years, that growth has exploded. Beebe makes so many major announcements about new facilities or programs these days, it’s almost become a weekly ritual.

In particular, 2022 was a banner year, with the opening of a new Specialty Surgical Hospital in Rehoboth in May and the launch of a mobile health clinic in November, along with primary and specialty care offices throughout Sussex. In October, Beebe announced it has applied to build a new hybrid emergency department near Millsboro that would bring in doctors trained in emergency medicine for children, offer walk-in care and feature other medical offices.

These are not your typical “we’re adding a new doctor” announcements. Although there have been plenty of those, too.

That opportunity is part of what drew Tam to Beebe in the first place.

“The population down here has grown at a much more accelerated rate than even was anticipated four or five years ago. So, I think we need to continue to grow more,” Tam says.

An exploding county

Tam lists the population growth as one of the biggest challenges facing Beebe for a couple of reasons. As retirees flock to the area, they bring with them more medical needs than a younger population would have.

“The older patients will have more emergency room visits, will have more hospitalizations, and more admissions; will need more ancillary services like rehab or home care, physical and occupational therapy,” Tam says. At the same time there’s an increasing shortage of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses, which Beebe is heavily recruiting to coincide with its growth, he notes.

In this environment, Blanck praises Tam for not only bringing in staff, but making Beebe a top destination for talented doctors and specialists.

“(Beebe’s) reputation has been enhanced by his leadership and by his visibility,” Blanck says.

Tam estimates Beebe has recruited about 160 physicians and other health care practitioners during his tenure, but it’s also training its own future health care workers. Beebe is adding a new family medicine residency program. That will start in 2023, and, Tam notes, it gives the doctors three years to learn to love Sussex County and stay on to work here.

Diverse people with unique needs

Young doctors in training will learn to meet the specific needs of the area—specializing not just in family medicine, but in Sussex, Tam says.

It’s an area with growing Hispanic and Haitian populations, he points out. These add a new element to what was already a diverse community. And while the county is increasingly urban in some areas, other parts remain quite rural.

“We’re placing an emphasis on ensuring that we have a diverse faculty,” Tam says, and also focusing on taking health care toward the center of the county.

“It is my personal and professional belief that the best health care is delivered when we are able to be culturally sensitive to people,” Tam says.

Beebe has made big strides in this area, according to Bernice Edwards, executive director of First State Community Action Agency in Georgetown. Edwards is a longtime resident of the area, and both of her children were born at Beebe, so she’s had years to observe the institution’s growth. She sees a real commitment to fairness and diversity from Beebe’s leadership.

Her agency, which serves people dealing with poverty, has been working with Beebe for some time, she says, but the partnership reached a new level during the pandemic.

Sussex County residents have been able to turn to Beebe since 1916, when Drs. James and Richard Beebe established a small hospital. Those few rooms were the first hospital space in the county. It has been growing ever since.

“When everything hit with COVID, Beebe Healthcare stepped up to the plate. They did not flinch. And I know that’s under the leadership of Dr. Tam,” she says.

It’s about building trust and an understanding of how to access health care, Edwards says, in the communities her agency works with. Those are often made up of minorities, but poverty also cuts across race lines in Sussex County. Beebe came out into the community and offered COVID tests and vaccines, Edwards says, and while they were at it helped meet other health care needs.

Heart disease and high blood pressure are an issue, especially in the Black and Brown communities, she says.

That’s where Beebe’s mobile clinic will make a difference.

“If you’re coming in their community, and they’re seeing some people who look like them, who they trust, they’re more inclined to come get on that mobile unit,” Edwards says.

Looking to Beebe’s future

Bringing health care to where it’s needed and treating people in their homes is both a modern shift and a throwback to the way doctors used to make house calls.

“We have an opportunity to get back to our roots in some ways and still provide care of the highest caliber,” Tam says. And he’s upbeat about the nonprofit health system’s financial position despite the challenges of the pandemic.

While some hospitals struggled during the pandemic, Beebe actually continued to be financially strong, Tam says. “We did not cut any salaries; we didn’t lay a single person off. We ensured that everyone had their benefits.”

Now, Beebe is looking to the future with the recent release of its five-year plan, emphasizing “One Beebe.” It focuses on patient service, commitment to both the community and Beebe staff, and more agile decision-making.

“You’ve got to have a goal. And without a plan, that goal is simply a dream,” Tam says.

“At Beebe,” he says, “we have a mission to serve the people who live, work, visit and seek care in Sussex County. It’s not just a tagline. It’s a way for us to try and get the entire health system to focus on doing things.”

He’s hopeful about the path ahead. “What excites me is the fact that there is so much possibility here in Sussex County and at Beebe Healthcare.” n

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What They See, Is What They’ll Be

Black men aim to save the Black youth in Delaware

BY BRANDON BRICE

YOUNG MEN OF COLOR in Delaware face incredible social and economic barriers, which threaten their ability to achieve longterm success. Unemployment, violence, and poverty rates continue to reach an all-time high, while educational attainment and achievement rates fail to keep pace with their White counterparts. Despite the appearance of insurmountable odds, there exist many talented and high-potential young men of color who continue to perform and excel. 100 Black Men of Delaware, Inc.—an affiliate of the 100 Black Men of America—began to form in 2021 with the intent to serve as a catalyst to extend the national 100’s model “Four For The Future,” focus areas: mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment.

To make this vision a reality, several men met at Shiloh Baptist Church, where myself and Rev. Clifford Johnson encouraged over 30 African American men to forge together to create a local charter. Within weeks, the chartering executive board was established and together with the general body, the chapter began forming initiatives to help serve our state.

The 100 Black Men of Delaware started by giving Black men the opportunity to connect and engage through a mentorship program initiative: Young Men United (YMU), which serves Black youth ages 12-18 to help students with character development, college and career readiness, and early career exposure. Young Men United aims to mentor and guide 100 Black Males by 2024 to find their success in their early careers and personal lives.

Together with the support of United Way of Delaware, Man Up, and the Brother’s Brunch, YMU is creating a nine-month program geared towards Black men, particularly young males who are struggling with society or are considered to be at-risk. The objective is to make sure that Black men have the tools necessary to navigate the adverse realities that come from everyday life. The program is designed to enhance the social networks for Black men through exposure, accountability, and mentorship.

The 100 has also been intentional with focusing on the health and wellness of African Americans throughout the state. Understanding the many health disparities within our Black and Brown communities, it is our goal

100 Black Men of Delaware, Inc.—an affiliate of the 100 Black Men of America— began to form in 2021 with the intent to serve as a catalyst to extend the national 100’s model “Four For The Future,” focus areas: mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment.

to help advocate for healthy living. Recently, the 100 hosted the inaugural 5k run/walk at Glasgow Park. They will also hold a health screening for all men in partnership with the 100 Black Men of Delaware, United Way of Delaware, and ChristianaCare at the Teen Warehouse, sponsored by Novo Nordisk. All men (ages 18 and older) are set to get free checkups, health screenings, haircuts, massages, food, and a chance to network with men in the greater Wilmington area.

The group had the honor and privilege to host our first pinning ceremony for the 100 Black Men of Delaware with the national chairman of the 100 Black Men of America, Brother Tommy Dortch and other leaders in the greater Delaware community. Over the spring of 2022, Delaware was granted a new charter to bring a statewide chapter of 100 Black Men to Delaware. Beginning with over 30 charter members, it is our goal to work collectively with organizations throughout our state to expand positive impact into all Black and Brown communities. n

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

Brandon Brice is the director of philanthropy and equity at United Way of Delaware.

Diversity & Inclusion

Creating a Better Delaware, For All

BY CHIP ROSSI

AT BANK OF AMERICA, our diversity makes us stronger. We bring broad perspectives together to meet the needs of our diverse clients and other stakeholders. We are focused on the representation of our people and our goal is to mirror our clients and the local community.

It is not enough to simply hire a diverse workforce—retention and the development of talent are of equal importance, so employees feel supported and set up with a roadmap to long-term career success.

One example of this is through our longstanding partnership with Delaware State University (DSU). In 2020, DSU and Bank of America announced a jobs initiative partnership to help students of color successfully complete the education and training necessary to enter the workforce and embark on a path to success in Delaware and beyond.

We also partnered to connect DSU students to promising careers and create a more inclusive talent pipeline through our Leader on Loan program. The program enables leaders to have a unique development opportunity while contributing to the community in a significant way. Specifically, the program provided Don Gordon, a Bank of America team member who worked at the bank for more than two decades, the opportunity to work full time for DSU’s Office of Career Services while earning his regular salary and benefits. Through his work at DSU, Don helped organize two career fairs that included more than 100 companies and over 500 students in attendance. His impactful work at DSU helped

students land internships and jobs after graduation, both at Bank of America and other companies in Delaware.

Over the past two years Bank of America has doubled down as a company to address the underlying issues facing communities of color affected disproportionately by the health crisis and economic mobility barriers. Another example is our partnership with The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation (PDFF). PDFF is a key local partner in championing small business owners and entrepreneurs through two key initiatives: Reinventing Delaware and the Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (E3). These initiatives work in tandem to improve economic mobility by creating an equitable, supportive landscape that links entrepreneurs with skilled professionals to help bring their ideas to life and/or accelerate their business.

We do all of this because it is the right thing to do, and we are committed to driving progress and being a company of opportunity for all. Thank you to the leaders and businesses across the state for the work you do to create a better Delaware for all. We are proud to be on the journey together with you. n

Chip Rossi is the president of Bank of America Delaware.

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Your local business community is ours too

Bank of America is not only a neighborhood bank. We’re your neighborhood bank.

Like you, we work and live here. Plus, we bring national resources — like being one of the nation’s leading small business lenders — to our local business community.

To find out how a local Small Business Specialist can help you, visit bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness

For information on fees and other costs related to business products and services, please visit bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. MAP4056125 | AD-01-22-2097.A | SBB-283-AD | 01/2022

Delaware’s Greatest Opportunity

BY CARLOS DE LOS RAMOS AND MARY DUPONT

AS AMERICANS, an important part of our identity comes from family lore about the struggles and triumphs of relatives who came to this country and paved the way for us. As a melting pot, the U.S. population has roots in countries around the world, where we escaped from famine, poverty, violence, repression, or we were abducted and forced into captivity to get here. No matter how you look at it, leaving home to go to a strange land across the world is rarely the desired option.

Although most arrived with nothing to help them get started, they were motivated by a vision of opportunity to become a part of the American Dream. Data shows that throughout our history, immigrants have an economic track record as the backbone of many industries. They built America, fueled the economy, and established a financial momentum that contributed to enabling the U.S. the most prosperous country on Earth. Immigrants brought a hunger and idealism that inspired dedication and hard work. This is our American legacy.

Today, this pattern continues for Hispanic immigrants, who are the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S. at 19 percent (62,000,000), as well as in Delaware where their numbers have almost tripled from 37,277 in 2000 to 104,290, according to Census Bureau data. In Delaware, they are a melting pot of their own—mostly from the Caribbean in New Castle County and from Central America in Sussex County with many from South America throughout the state.

National studies on the economic impact of Latinos agree. The bottom line is that their economic contributions stand out in terms of employment rate, business development, and spending power. However, because of language and cultural barriers that separate them from the mainstream, Latinos tend to be obscured in discussions about the economy, equity, and opportunity. Latino leaders are rarely at the table for community, government, and business deliberations on major initiatives or new program strategies. Never has the old adage “out of sight, out of mind” been so true.

However, if we are concerned about our economy, maybe we should change this dynamic. According to a study by the Latino Donor’s Collaborative, “The total economic output (or GDP) of Latinos in the U.S. was $2.7 trillion in 2019, up from $1.7 trillion in 2010.” An article on Hispanic economic impact in Governing Magazine points out that “If

Hispanics in the U.S. were an independent country, they’d have the world’s seventh-largest economy. And they will also account for the majority of new adults entering the workforce in coming years.”

Latinos are the youngest major population segment in the country with a median age of 30 in 2019, adding significant horsepower to their efforts. Data from the Delaware Department of Education suggests that we can expect these trends to continue as the number of Latino students has increased 48 percent over the past 10 years, compared to a nine percent decrease for Whites and just one percent for Blacks. Those second-generation kids are headed to college, the workforce, and let’s not forget, the polls.

Their parents and family members are highly employed with an employment rate of 61.1 percent compared to 58.4 percent of the general population, and they start one-in-four of every new business. In 2019, Latino median household income in Delaware was $56,500 versus $69,560 for the state. Although Latinos earn less than other Delaware residents, much of their hardearned money is spent right here—on home ownership, quality of life, and investments in children, education, and business opportunities, driven by cultural traditions that place priorities on family, education, faith, and community.

Despite their entrepreneurial spirit, immigrant business owners often have cultural and language barriers that create a reluctance to borrowing or seeking advice from mainstream service providers. There is also a lack of understanding about American financial and business systems that inhibits business growth. McKinsey & Company correctly states: “Latino

immigrants struggle to be fully embraced by the United States (and) as a group they remain economically well behind non-Latino White Americans. Addressing the barriers preventing Latinos from full economic participation could have a multitrillion-dollar impact, further unleashing their entrepreneurial spirit, creating millions of jobs, driving consumer spending, and building intergenerational wealth.”

To address these inequities, the Aspen Institute established a new program targeting cities across the country with a high concentration of Latinos to foster small business growth: “The Aspen Institute Latinos and Society’s new initiative focused on Latino communities will help build the capacity of local leaders and organizations. Accelerating the economic recovery of Latino communities and businesses is critical for the country as a whole.” Closer to home, La Plaza Delaware in Sussex County is focused on small business development to support a booming Latino business community in the southern part of the state, and leadership development to amplify the voices and presence of Latino leaders across all sectors statewide.

Ultimately, to change the paradigm in the way we do business, we need to decide that Latino participation matters; develop culturally targeted services to cultivate their potential; implement an inclusive approach to leadership; and make Latino engagement a priority. We need to open the doors and invite our Latino neighbors to the table, and not as an afterthought.

As we search for insights and answers about how to fuel our economy through job creation, business development, and spending power, let’s remember how it happened in our own families. If we open our eyes and recognize the riches in our midst, we will see an economic engine that is making a powerful impact in our economy every day. Latinos came here as our ancestors did—full of questions, enthusiasm, and commitment to their new country— and now is their time to be recognized as leaders, business owners, consumers, and investors. Our Latino community is Delaware’s opportunity. n

Carlos De Los Ramos chairs the Delaware Hispanic Commission and Mary Dupont is the executive director of La Plaza Delaware.

Philadelphia, PA West Chester, PA Wilmington, DE

Ann

Diversity & Inclusion

Using People Analytics to Advance Your DEI Agenda

BY MICHAEL SMITH

THANKFULLY, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) has evolved since the days of simply having diverse representation in the workplace. DEI is now about ensuring people feel safe to bring their whole selves to work, and that employers welcome, value, and leverage what makes each team member unique. DEI also makes good business sense—from strengthening the innovation of products and services to appeal to various demographics, to ensuring optimal engagement from employees.

There is no secret recipe or cookie-cutter approach for companies to advance their DEI agenda. The journey is unique for each company and requires an understanding and alignment to its culture, values, and people strategy to achieve business goals. An analytical approach to gain this insight can help define a unique DEI journey.

At my company, Navient, one of our core values is “we’re stronger together.” We are purposeful about using data to uncover insights that help us live up to our values.

To help you through this approach, here are a few data sources to get started. Consider picking one or two data projects to focus on each year and continue to refine and add as you go.

• Conduct a labor supply analysis to gauge how your company’s diversity representation compares to the external environment. This “outward-

looking” analysis across the employee life cycle compares your company’s diversity to the diversity available in the labor market, typically informed by U.S. Census Bureau data.

• Conduct a talent assessment for an “inward-looking” analysis of your company’s diversity across the employee life cycle. When Navient initially conducted this analysis, we found that mid-level women were more likely

to depart the company than mid-level men—draining the pipeline of women for higher level roles. Further analysis revealed that many mid-level women were leaving the workforce for family reasons, which fueled our response to offer more support and benefits to new parents, create a women’s resource group, hold a women’s empowerment conference, and more.

• Conduct a pay equity analysis to better determine whether gender or ethnicity has a statistically significant impact on pay versus other

Taking an analytical approach to build out your DEI agenda helps to inform a thoughtful, long-term, and measured approach for success and sustainability.

Components of the Employee Lifecycle

expected factors such as performance, experience, and job, and then take any action as needed.

• Collect employee feedback and understand engagement. In this new post-pandemic era with more hybrid and remote workers, it is more important than ever to understand the sentiment of our people and measure engagement and productivity on an ongoing basis. Dynamic or realtime feedback methods such as leadership listening sessions, pulse surveys, and focus groups may be helpful to supplement periodic engagement surveys. It is important to analyze this data by different demographics such as ethnicity, gender, tenure, generation, department, or location to identify strengths and gaps for action planning.

• Conduct a program, policies, and practices audit to identify opportunities to deliberately embed DEI in employee programs, policies, and practices. This may span from dress codes to promotion programs.

After analyzing the data collected, create and prioritize a three- to five-year roadmap to address opportunities for improvement and build on existing strengths. In developing your roadmap, make sure you think

about how you can move the needle each year in areas such as management commitment and accountability and employee education. In addition, create a measurement framework or scorecard to gauge your strategies on an ongoing basis to adjust and track how your initiatives are performing.

Taking an analytical approach to build out your DEI agenda helps to inform a thoughtful, long-term, and measured approach for success and sustainability. n

Michael Smith is chief human resources officer at Navient, a technology-enabled education finance and business processing solutions company headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. He serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware and several industry related groups.

Building a Strong Future

BY GOVERNOR JOHN CARNEY

THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT in our country is very different from when I took office six years ago. In my 30 years of public service, it’s always been the case that we did not have enough jobs for the people looking for work, and it’s just the opposite today. We currently have more job openings than people looking for work. Our ability to compete is going to depend on our ability to attract and produce a quality, trained workforce.

We’re also coming out of a global pandemic that tested all of us. The busi ness community has shown resilience, innovation, and creativity throughout the past two and a half years.

So yes, we’re in a very different position than we were in 2016. Maybe even a much better position in some regards. But it presents new challenges for our small businesses, larger corporations, entrepreneurs, and site selectors contem plating putting down roots in the First State.

Despite all the challenges of the last two years, working together, we’ve made real progress.

Just recently, we celebrated the five-year anniversary of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP). By just about any measure, the DPP has met and exceeded our expectations. Because of our efforts, and the efforts of many others locally, WuXi STA Pharmaceuticals has decided to build a $500 mil lion, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Middletown. This facility will bring with it approximately 500 good jobs to this growing region and complement the manufacturing of biopharmaceutical work being done by NIIMBL on the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus.

Because of the workforce challenges many businesses in Delaware are facing, our partners in higher education play a big role in developing our workforce talent and innovative business ideas, especially in science and technology.

Small businesses continue to be the backbone of Delaware’s econ omy. Ninety-eight percent of Delaware businesses have fewer than 100 employees. Small businesses employ 55 percent of Delaware’s workforce and account for more than $11 billion in wages each year. The Division of Small Business provides financial assistance—in the form of grants, loans, and other resources—to our state’s small businesses, including the EDGE Grants program. Through EDGE Grants, small businesses are provided muchneeded capital assistance that they may not have access to otherwise. The goal is to give them that “edge” in the market. Since EDGE launched in 2019, $3.75 million has been awarded to 60 Delaware small businesses in industries ranging from wearable medical devices to farming to restaurants.

We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in the future of our state with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—championed by our federal delegation—is a historic commitment to improving roads, bridges, transit, water and wastewater systems, broadband, energy, and other infrastructure areas. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide $2 billion in funding across Delaware over the next five years. And $700 million is already flowing through State projects. Most of the funding will benefit transportation, enabling projects to be completed ahead of schedule to keep driving our economy.

These investments will completely change Delawareans’ way of life. Last year, we launched a series of transportation projects, both highway and transit, that will “redefine Route 9”—the corridor south of Wilmington. Over 25 percent of the population in the Route 9 corridor doesn’t have a car. This investment will better serve the community by making the area more pedestrian-friendly.

We are also making infrastructure investments thoughtfully—with sustainability, equity, and climate resiliency in mind. Those investments include significant upgrades to our electric vehicle infrastructure. And we’ve established targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the Delaware Climate Action Plan. We need to embrace this transition in a way that continues to make Delaware more competitive.

I look forward to working with all of you to continue building a strong future for our state. n

Advocacy & Economic Development

Understanding Our Workforce

CONTRIBUTED BY THE DELAWARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

SUCCESSFUL CHANGE in any endeavor requires three steps. Understand the current environment, determine areas for improvement, and bring those improvements to fruition. It is exactly this approach underling the actions of the Delaware Workforce Development Board as it works to grow the state’s workforce, ensure that workforce possesses today’s relevant skills, and enhance avenues to connect employees with employers.

The Board’s recent survey of Delaware employers, conducted by Zogby Analytics, is significant in understanding the current employment environment. While the Board continues to review the detailed information, some key findings have emerged. Businesses cited a lack of self-motivation and attention to detail among prospective employees, as well as a lack of problem-solving and communication skills. Also lacking were a number of basic technical skills, such as proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel. Another interesting finding is that, while college degrees are important to employers in many jobs, a majority of employers had openings for those without such degrees and almost half had openings for those previously in the criminal justice system. Such an expansion of the job seeker pool is significant since Delaware joins the rest of the nation in having fewer candidates than job openings.

More key findings will emerge, but the Board realizes it’s not just about data in a vacuum. As Board Chair Scott Malfitano notes, “it’s about connecting the data to our state’s real-life employment environment so that people have jobs and employers have the qualified workforce they need.” The goal is to use the data as a catalyst as the Board works with its training partners, focusing on growth sectors in the Delaware economy; working to close skills and experience gaps like the ones noted above; and making it as seamless as possible for job seekers and employers to connect.

One key step in this is the Board’s Business Liaison initiative, funded under the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA. The role of a business liaison is to contact businesses and gain a deeper understanding of their hiring needs, ensure they are fully aware of

the hiring aids the state offers, grow the dialogue between employers and training initiatives in the state, and do so in a way that allows the Board to increase its focus on what creates success (or a lack of success) in the training efforts it supports.

Such a focus is always important, but especially now, as Delaware and Governor John Carney move to allocate $50 million of ARPA funding for workforce development across the state. Couple this with the above job seeker deficit and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership’s success in attracting employers and jobs to the state, and the need is obvious for innovative systems that ensure training efforts deliver on the requirements that hiring businesses need.

It is about earning the best return on investment, and as Malfitano and the Board’s executive director, Joanna Staib, often point out, the best measure of return on investment is a job at the end of the process. n

Camp Arrowhead Lewes, DE

The New Age of Our Workforce

BY RON PAINTER

IT’S A NEW ERA in workforce development and workforce management. The pandemic has taught many lessons that some companies will learn and some companies sadly won’t. The tactic some companies use(d) of bringing them in, working them hard, and letting them leave is meeting several factors that should cause radical changes.

The first factor is that of demographics. Lightcast tells us that by 2030, the Boomers will have retired, leaving a huge gap in the numbers of working-age adults. In their report, Bridging the Gap in our Labor Force, they make the observation that, “…fifty years of birth rates below replacement levels, combined with a recent precipitous drop in immigration, has left us with fewer and fewer young, working-age people.” To me, this says if you’re waiting out the changes in the behavior of job seekers, you might have a long wait. Quite possibly longer than your business can survive.

Secondly, Pew Research writes that job seekers younger than 30 are far more likely than older adults to have voluntarily left their job last year: 37 percent of young adults say they did this, compared with 17 percent of

those ages 30 to 49, nine percent of those ages 50 to 64, and five percent of those ages 65 and older.

Thirdly, Clay Scroggins, CEO of How to Lead, writes in a LinkedIn article that 73 percent of professionals say they take an organization’s values into account and would not apply to a company unless its values aligned with their own.

The pandemic changed how we work, and at the same time, a new generation of workers began to enter the labor force and our employee ranks. Many of us have spent time in research trying to understand this new worker and absorbing frustration over quit rates that we think are sudden and higher than we’ve known.

I’m a Boomer and I would suggest the things that motivated my generation are not the same motivators today. I worried about salary, advancement, and maybe the company’s 401(k) plan. Work-life balance might have been something I wondered about, but there were plenty of holidays that my generation worked to beat a deadline or to appear eager to take on

more work and hopefully critical work to my company’s bottom-line. My boss was my boss, mostly to be tolerated. I never stopped to think about how much support my boss received and whether the company valued them—or me—enough to provide them training to offer me a supportive work environment.

Today, companies providing support to front-line facing managers isn’t a “nice to provide” but a business necessity. Jim Clifton of Gallup once observed in the State of the American Workplace report, “The single biggest decision you make in your job—bigger than all the rest—is who you name manager. When you name the wrong person manager, nothing fixes that bad decision. Not compensation, not benefits—nothing.” It could be the single most important action companies can take today to find and retain the talent they need.

Do you have a plan? n

Ron Painter is the president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Workforce Boards.

Supporting generations of Delaware families

Great Expectations

2022 achievements prove Delaware is ready for more success in 2023

BY KURT FOREMAN

DELAWARE MADE GREAT STRIDES as a state for business in 2022 and has great momentum heading into 2023.

Delaware Prosperity Partnership finished the year celebrating its fifth anniversary and the announcement—in cooperation with statewide partners and investors—of more than 50 located projects, nearly 8,000 new and retained jobs, and over $1.5 billion in capital investment since 2017.

These projects include companies new to the First State—such as Maryland-headquartered LaMotte Company, which announced its expansion to Delaware last February—and companies already operating here. Those in the latter category include Solenis, whose announced expansion to a new Avenue North headquarters was one of DPP’s first projects in 2018. DPP worked with the Delaware-founded global water technologies leader again in 2022, as the company once more chose the Wilmington area—this time Chestnut Run Innovation and Science Park—for expansion.

Another “repeat customer” in 2022 was The Royale Group. Royale was new to Delaware when it acquired Bear’s IMS Chemblend, renamed the

operation AWSM Solutions Delaware and relocated its corporate headquarters there from New Jersey in 2021. In 2022, Royale decided to grow its Delaware presence by choosing the former BASF Polymer Plant in Seaford for its Royale Pigments & Chemicals operation.

Such activity shows how much the state has to offer both existing and new-to-Delaware businesses. When announcing his company’s latest expansion, for example, Royale Group CEO John Logue enthusiastically identified Delaware as “a great place to do business.” He also cited the abundance of “valuable resources to help start or move a business to the state.”

According to Scott Amsbaugh, LaMotte’s president and CEO, expansion to Pencader Corporate Center in Newark was driven largely by the site’s proximity to the University of Delaware (UD) and the “skilled and educated local workforce” UD would help provide since his company had been having difficulty sourcing staff in Maryland. The agile, responsive reputation that UD, Delaware Technical Community College, and Delaware’s

Governor John Carney, Delaware Prosperity Partnership, and economic development partners from throughout the state showcased Kent and Sussex counties for visiting site selectors during Delaware Summit 2022.

other educational and workforce-development entities have earned is welldeserved as they actively create and modify programs to keep the statewide talent pool deep.

Delaware also has been creating or taking advantage of opportunities to increase funding, infrastructure, and other capacity. Thanks to initiatives like the state’s Lab Space Grants and Site Readiness Fund, lab-based companies are getting properly fitted out room to grow and sites for businesses are closer to being available.

Federal monies—including $500 million in infrastructure bill funding the Delaware Department of Transportation is receiving – are being deployed. As innovators develop ideas and launch businesses around them, programs like Horn Entrepreneurship at UD, Division of Small Business EDGE Grants, and the DPP-coordinated Startup302 competition provide further support.

Heading into our sixth full year of operation, DPP celebrates all that our team, our statewide partners, and our investors have accomplished. Collectively, we have much to be proud of—and much to anticipate in 2023. n

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Delaware Leads the Nation in Business Incorporation

Washington, D.C., is working against it

BY NEIL BRADLEY

FEW STATES HAVE ESTABLISHED for themselves a reputation that is more positive with the business community than our nation’s first state, Delaware.

Delaware’s corporate environment, shaped through the state’s General Corporation Law and applied through its unique Court of Chancery, has made it first in the nation with respect to business incorporation. That’s why—as the Delaware Division of Corporation’s 2021 annual report found—66.8 percent of all Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in the state. Moreover, an astounding 93 percent of U.S.-based initial public offerings in 2021 chose Delaware as their corporate home.

Unfortunately, this example of dynamism being set by Delaware isn’t being followed by those in Washington. Now, as a result of an emergent neo-Brandeis movement, named after a Supreme Court justice from the early 20th century with a certain disdain for business, rogue regulators are threatening the state’s hard-earned successes.

Across the federal government, there is a unified message emanating from some lawmakers and virtually all regulatory agencies that businesses, particularly corporations, are to blame for the current economic calamities of high inflation and low growth facing Americans.

The solution, as they see it, is regulation. If only government could impose more constraints on the market, that would set things right. At present, bureaucrats at the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice are engaged in an all-out blitz to achieve this goal. Both agencies are working in concert to throw as many hurdles as possible in the way of corporations looking to grow.

Of particular concern is the agencies’ efforts to rewrite merger and acquisition guidelines as well as competition policy. These efforts have come in the form of a regulate first, ask questions later approach.

In an environment where businesses are arbitrarily placed under scrutiny for their success, many will look out across the regulatory landscape fraught with administrative actions and judgments against businesses and conclude that it is simply too risky to attempt any merger and acquisition activity. In a state that has long worked to establish a regulatory and legal framework to encourage growth, the federal government now stands in the way as its biggest impediment.

Faced with these challenges, Delaware and the business community at large need to be clear in making our case to lawmakers, regulators, and

most importantly, the public to whom they are ultimately accountable that business is the primary driving force behind America’s dynamic and competitive free enterprise environment.

Delaware shows that where governments work to establish a business environment that is not laden with regulatory roadblocks and constrained by the ever-changing whim of ideologically motivated regulators, economies and people thrive. Washington D.C. would do well to take a few pages from Wilmington when considering how best to ensure the health of our nation’s economy. n

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

The Recipe for a Manufacturing Boom Economy

How policymakers can amplify manufacturers’ success in 2023

BY JAY TIMMONS

THE TIRELESS, DEDICATED WORK manufacturers have done to lead the pandemic recovery and to grow our industry in the face of all sorts of challenges has delivered a manufacturing boom economy. One of the best indicators of this success is that manufacturers now employ more than 12.9 million people in the United States, which is the strongest level of job growth we’ve seen since 2008.

That’s worth celebrating, and we can attribute this growth to manufacturers’ solutions-focused approach toward everything we do. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has channeled that approach into our advocacy, leading a campaign for a policy agenda focused on manufacturing competitiveness. We traveled the country in 2022 promoting our “Competing to Win” policy roadmap, which lays out our industry’s solutions for problems like supply chain disruptions and slowdowns, ongoing workforce shortages, and for restoring economic confidence.

We saw major progress toward these goals last year. The CHIPS and Science Act, which the NAM helped shape and advocate at every stage of

its progress from bill to law, gave a major boost to the domestic production of essential inputs, particularly semiconductors. This law will benefit every manufacturer in the U.S., strengthening our supply chains while helping us to compete with China and other countries. Speaking of supply chains, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act provided the first major reforms for our ports and shipping lanes in decades. And manufacturers’ advocacy helped secure the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which will make a major difference in the fight against climate change while creating jobs for the industry.

We can also measure our policy success in terms of what didn’t come to pass. Most notably, a massive NAM-led advocacy campaign helped strip tax hikes from the budget reconciliation bill, saving millions of dollars for manufacturing companies across the country.

Meanwhile, we continue leading a campaign to grow the workforce and to close the skills gap. The NAM and the Manufacturing Institute’s (MI) Creators Wanted campaign—entering its third year—is helping to

introduce the exciting reality of modern manufacturing careers to hundreds of thousands of students and educators across the country. Our efforts have improved the positive perception of manufacturing among parents from 27 percent to 40 percent, which will yield dividends as more parents encourage their children to consider careers in manufacturing. And through events like MFG Day, when the MI partnered with manufacturers across the country for more than 600 events showcasing a day in the life of manufacturing teams, we’re broadening our reach to an audience of tens of millions across the country.

These are just some of the ingredients of our ongoing manufacturing boom. And as the new Congress begins its work, we’re going to keep up the drumbeat for policies that make us more competitive. When policymakers look for solutions for lingering challenges, we’ll provide the ideas they need to fix these problems now.

The tax code is an excellent place to start. Manufacturers know that the 2017 tax reforms were rocket fuel—not only for our industry and for our employees, but also for the whole economy. Now they should build on that success, rather than roll it back.

Strengthening our energy security must also be a top priority, especially given recent geopolitical turmoil. Manufacturers and households alike will benefit from policies that tap into the U.S.’s abundant domestic energy resources, and from policies that streamline the construction of new energy infrastructure.

Congress must also lay the groundwork for manufacturers to further invest in our workforce, given that our industry will need to fill more than 4 million jobs by the end of the decade, according to research from Deloitte and the MI. Part of that means, as the MI advocates, reforms to broaden access to apprenticeships, which help grow our pool of skilled talent. And while they’re at it, lawmakers must work to bring about long-overdue immigration reform. Our broken immigration system is both a humanitarian issue and a major obstacle in the way of our global competitiveness.

For these and many other issues, manufacturers have the solutions. The road ahead is promising, and we can count on our industry to keep investing in our communities, hiring and cultivating talent, innovating and improving the quality of life for everyone. And if policymakers listen to our ideas and take up our solutions, we can expect our industry and our economy to thrive—not just in 2023, but as part of the promise of a manufacturing decade in the years to come. n

Jay Timmons is the president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers and the chairman of the board of the Manufacturing Institute.

Developing the Next Generation of Manufacturers

BY JOHN GOODEN AND RUSTYN STOOPS

LAST YEAR was an exciting year for the Delaware Manufacturing Association (DMA), an affiliate of the State Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

The year was highlighted by the State Chamber’s Spring Manufacturing and Policy Conference. The half-day, virtual conference featured keynote remarks from Governor John Carney and Kelvin Lee, director of the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), two panel discussions, and the chance to network.

The first panel addressed the labor shortage here in Delaware and across the country. Scott Malfitano, chair of the Delaware Workforce Development Board, moderated a conversation with some employers and the National Association of Workforce Board’s (NAWB) CEO Ron Painter. The discussion highlighted several factors that are impacting the labor market: aging population, automation, adult learning, and the need for funding.

By 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 or older. With low birth rates and immigration, the exchange rate of people entering the workforce is not keeping up with the exit. In addition to the knowledge and skill gaps that manufacturers are experiencing, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for nighttime/weekend shifts to be filled with workers because child care isn’t offered during those hours.

Automation was also discussed. Painter referenced a study out of Canada, which found that low-skill and high-end positions increased due to automation, while middle skill roles and management decreased. He stressed that with this sort of knowledge, manufacturers need to rethink how they onboard and upskill their workforce when the traditional method of “moving up the ranks” is no longer an option with technology replacing those middle level roles. NAWB estimates that it

will cost $80 billion to upskill the American workforce to meet global needs and standards.

So, what’s the solution? The panelists stressed that businesses need to lead on identifying alternative funding and training solutions that work for their people. Investing in your own talent is a sure way to grow your workforce.

The second panel turned toward “what’s working” and how we can build upon successful workforce programs like Zip Code Wilmington, Delaware Pathways, Intern Delaware, and Elevate Delaware. Michael Fleming, president of the Delaware BioScience Association, moderated the conversation with the leaders of these programs to understand how we can build upon successes like these and replicate models that work to address manufacturer’s needs.

Despite challenges and misconceptions, the manufacturing industry in Delaware is strong and growing. According to the Delaware Department of Labor, as of October 2022, the manufacturing industry employs around 26,000 workers in Delaware, and the average annual compensation nationally was $83,882 per NAM’s data. Manufacturers offer individuals great paying careers and opportunities.

In 2023, with the DMA’s support and guidance, the State Chamber will continue to support and advocate for manufacturers’ interests in Dover. Although they didn’t pass, several pieces of legislation were introduced in 2022 that could have had negative impacts on the manufacturing industry including legalization of recreational marijuana and a proposal known as the Community Workforce Agreement. If you’re a manufacturer in Delaware and want to help support and develop the next generation of manufacturers, join the DMA by contacting Tyler Micik at tmicik@dscc.com. n

2022 Delaware Manufacturing Association Board of Managers

TOM EMBLEY PRECISION AIRCONVEY

VICE CHAIR DWAYNE DANTZLER AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES

PATTI ADCOCK FMC

CO-CHAIR JOHN GOODEN MDAVIS & SONS, INC.

STEVE WARTHMAN ILC DOVER, INC.

CATHERINE M. BASSETT MOUNTAIRE FARMS, INC.

MARYANN CARROLL CRODA

TARYN DALMASSO EDGEWELL PERSONAL CARE

JOSEPH P. FARLEY, JR. ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL

KURT FOREMAN DELAWARE PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP SENIOR COUNCIL

MICHAEL ELEHWANY MILLER METAL FABRICATION, INC.

TYRONE JONES

BLOOM ENERGY

PAUL MORRIS DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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

VINCENTE

ROBERT PRYBUTOK POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

JOE REINHARDT

ALOFT

AEROARCHITECTS

ZACH KUEHNE KUEHNE COMPANY

Uniquely Positioned

BY TYLER MICIK

DELAWARE IS UNIQUE in many ways but one important factor that separates Delaware from its neighbors Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland is that it has no sales tax. In fact, Delaware is one of only five states in the country without a sales tax. The others are Alaska, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. So, why is this important? It makes Delaware an attractive place to buy goods, and individuals travel from surrounding states to shop here because their money goes further.

But Delaware’s absence of a sales tax is not the only thing that makes it attractive. Its geographic location and access to the I-95 Corridor offers residents from Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, and Baltimore easy access to retailers here in a short drive.

Furthermore, Delaware is internationally recognized as an incorporation destination because of its business-friendly tax laws and Court of Chancery. Unlike most states, corporations registered in Delaware do not pay corporate income tax. Also, corporate lawsuits are settled by the Court of Chancery—a non-jury trial court with a long history dating back to 1792, comprised of judges specializing in corporate law. The Delaware Division

of Corporations states that 66.8 percent of all Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware and 93 percent of U.S. based initial public offerings selected Delaware as their corporate home in 2021. According to Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) in each of the last two fiscal years, incorporation and unclaimed property revenues totaled 38.6 percent of the State’s net general fund revenues. Unclaimed property refers to financial assets that have been abandoned or unclaimed by an owner. For example, if someone purchases a gift card for twenty dollars, spends nineteen dollars and fifty cents, then throws the card away, the remaining fifty cents eventually goes back to the state of incorporation, which in many cases is Delaware.

Protecting these laws is important for all Delawareans because it’s a few of the main reasons why Delaware has no sales tax. This benefits Delawareans and Delaware retailers and makes the First State a unique and attractive place to shop and conduct business.

The Delaware Retail Council (DRC), an affiliate of the State Chamber of Commerce and National Retail Federation (NRF), serves as retailers’

advocate. The group meets regularly to discuss issues retailers are experiencing and help solve challenges facing the industry. According to the NRF, retailers account for 26 percent of Delaware’s workforce, or approximately 102,410 workers, and have a $4.1 billion direct impact on Delaware’s GDP.

Nationally, the NRF forecasted retail sales growth would increase between six and eight percent to more than $4.86 trillion in 2022. At the time of writing this article, according to a survey conducted by the NRF, 46 percent of holiday shoppers said they plan to browse or buy before November and spend about $832.84 on average on gifts and food over the holiday season, which is in line with the NRF’s full year forecast. But, like many other industries, retailers face numerous challenges such as inflation, availability of products, organized retail crime, and a workforce shortage—despite needing between 450,000 and 600,000 workers over the holiday season. However, the NRF found that even with these challenges, consumer spending remains steady and while e-commerce sales saw significant growth throughout the pandemic, shoppers have shifted back to in-store shopping.

As we begin 2023, the retail industry in Delaware is strong and growing. Although challenges lie ahead, the Delaware Retail Council stands ready to support retailers, their employees, and ensure Delaware remains an attractive place for all shoppers near and far! If you are a retailer and interested in joining the DRC, please contact me at tmicik@dscc.com. n

2022 Delaware Retail Council Board

NOT PICTURED: MATTHEW CAMPION HOME DEPOT VICE CHAIR SEAN CONNER LOWE’S GREG EADS GOODWILL OF DELAWARE AND DELAWARE COUNTY

VERONICA JESTER JAMESTOWN HOSPITALITY GROUP

PHIL CRONIN MCDONALD’S CORPORATION

T.J. MALONEY AMAZON

STEVE CHAMBLISS CHRISTIANA MALL CHAIR

DAN LEARY T-MOBILE

DAVE VANDERWOUDE BEST BUY

CHANELL AUTREY TARGET

BRYAN LOWE WALGREENS

ZUZY ZVAROVA THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY

ROBERT MCGUCKIN VERIZON

Partnerships with Purpose

BY HELANA RODRIGUEZ

THE PARTNERSHIP, INC., THE 501(C)(3) workforce development affiliate, was created to develop and foster programs that encourage private sector involvement in workforce development and education. Dedicated to building and retaining talent in the First State, the Partnership consists of four flagship programs: Delaware Principal for a Day, Superstars in Education and Training, Intern Delaware, and the Delaware Young Professionals Network.

The climate of our workforce is ever-evolving. Now more than ever, it’s imperative for our education and business communities to invest in the next generation of prospective employees together—and our programs aim to reflect that. Over the past two years, the Partnership’s new board of directors, chaired by Rick Deadwyler of Corteva Agriscience, has assessed and revitalized its programs, making strategic changes to become better focused on creating a strong pipeline of talent.

Delaware Principal for a Day has been creating strong connections between educators and the business community for over 30 years, and with a reimagined focus this year, schools and business leaders were strategically matched to help facilitate intentional and impactful partnerships. The program was responsible for 80 visits in 61 schools across the state. Our business community was able to see first-hand the transformative and innovative workforce development programs that already exist in our schools. They also had the opportunity to share with students their own professional experiences; define what job readiness means in their industry; discuss open job and co-op opportunities; hear from principals, educators, and counselors; and much more.

The trend of evolution and growth continued to our Superstars in Education and Training awards program. This year, we shifted our focus to honoring high school, postsecondary, and independent training and certificate programs. The contributions of impactful workforce development programs in our state deserve to be recognized. It was our privilege to award Hodgson Vocational High Schools’ ACE Mentoring Program, Year Up Wilmington, and the Food Bank of Delaware’s L.O.G.I.C Training Program and Culinary School for their innovative and effective programs.

Intern Delaware welcomed its third cohort—and its first year of in-person programming. With 70 percent of Delaware companies offering a summer internship program, the state has a huge opportunity to attract and retain emerging talent through well-rounded internships. As an ‘add-on’ to a company’s existing intern program, Intern Delaware provided over 200 interns with access to professional development programming, featuring 24 speakers at 16 unique events. The participants also had exposure to networking opportunities

with business leaders and peers across all industries. The eight-week summer program was designed to help interns truly experience what Delaware’s unique economy and culture has to offer.

The Delaware Young Professionals Network (DYPN) encourages ambitious young people in Delaware to get involved in the State Chamber. Governed by its own committee, the DYPN appointed 15 new committee members to focus its efforts on strategic partnerships in 2022. The committee hosted six unique events including volunteerism, lunch and learns, social events, and more. The DYPN serves as mentors to our very own Intern Delaware participants and partnered with outside organizations such as Leadership Delaware and Connect Delaware.

Deadwyler reflects on the year: “After this—the first full year of the newly

2022 The Partnership, Inc. Board

established organization structure and leadership team, I am thrilled to witness The Partnership truly fulfilling its mission. We are working to prepare and support Delaware’s next generation of leaders and workforce through our engaging, informative, and inspiring programs that directly connect to interns, young professionals, and our schools. Now more than ever, The Partnership adds value to our State Chamber members and supports a vibrant economic future for our state.” n

“The Partnership Board looks at how we can create synergies with education. If we’re trying to improve educational outcomes, it’s good for business leaders to see our school’s [workforce development programs] in real time.”

– Yvette Santiago, Nemours Children’s Health Care System

TIERRA FAIR UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE

RYAN HARRINGTON TECH IMPACT

KURT SCHROCK MOUNTAIRE FARMS, INC.

KELLY ANN DECURTIS DELMARVA POWER

DR. LORA A. JOHNSON DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CHAIR

RICK DEADWYLER CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE

DANIELLE SCULL ASSURANCE MEDIA

COLLEEN PERRY KEITH GOLDEY-BEACOM COLLEGE

ANDREW COTTONE, PH.D. ADESIS, INC.

CATRINA JEFFERSON CHASE

PATRICK BEST WSFS BANK

MARK HUTTON M&T BANK

BRYON SHORT DELAWARE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

TAMARA STONER DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

MICHAEL J. QUARANTA PRESIDENT THE PARTNERSHIP, INC.

KURT FOREMAN

DELAWARE PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP

DR. ROBERT RESCIGNO WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

MARK BAXTER RODEL

DAN FREEMAN HORN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

YVETTE SANTIAGO NEMOURS CHILDREN’S

Newsbites

Social Contract Announces New Executive Vice President

Social Contract, LLC—a womenand minority-owned social and collective impact consulting firm based in Wilmington, Delaware—announced the addition of Drewry (Drew) Nash Fennell, Esq., to their leadership team. Joining the team as executive vice president of impact, operations, and regional development, Drew will lead the firm’s ongoing growth. Drew brings nearly 30 years of experience and a lifetime commitment to creating more just and equitable systems.

Prior to this role, Drew spent five years as a senior vice president at ChristianaCare, where she led communications, marketing, patient experience, and philanthropy. Before joining ChristianaCare, Drew served as chief of staff to former Delaware Governor Jack Markell, and as the executive director of the Delaware Criminal Justice Council. She spent several years in private prac-

YMCA of Delaware Names

Jarrett Royster as New CEO

tice as an attorney before becoming the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Delaware.

“We are thrilled to have Drew join our growing team,” said Meghan Wallace, managing partner and co-founder of Social Contract. “Drew has led initiatives to improve the lives of so many, and her combination of passion, commitment to social impact and decades of leadership experience are an exciting asset for Social Contract.”

Chris Bason to Lead Ørsted’s Stakeholder Engagement

Ørsted welcomed Chris Bason as stakeholder engagement lead in Delaware. Bason, a respected environmental voice in Delaware, will be responsible for

developing and implementing external engagement strategies in support of Skipjack Wind and will represent Ørsted to local communities, businesses, and elected officials.

Prior to joining Ørsted, Bason served for 18 years with the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays in Sussex County. He served as the organization’s science coordinator, and then spent ten years as its Executive Director. During his tenure, the Center expanded greatly through successful policy achievements, environmental monitoring, ecological restoration, conservation, and fundraising. Chris led the Center’s development of a comprehensive State of the Bays report, revised the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Inland Bays, developed legislation to launch Delaware’s shellfish aquaculture industry, and created successful initiatives for land conservation, reforestation, shoreline protection, and citizenscience participation.

Following an extensive national search, Jarret Royster has been named as the chief executive officer of the YMCA of Delaware. Jarrett, who comes to Delaware with more than 34 years of YMCA experience, is a cause-driven leader dedicated to improving the well-being of children, adults, and families throughout the state with a focus on building partnerships.

Most recently Jarrett served as the executive vice president and chief operations officer of the Greater Boston YMCA. Prior to his role in Boston, Jarret held the position of national director for urban and educational development at YMCA of the USA. Additionally, he has served as the vice president of urban development and eastside operations for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, and has held leadership positions at YMCAs in Philadelphia, Birmingham, Oklahoma, and Providence.

“The Y has a moral obligation to fight against the pandemic of hopelessness and despair that have been inflamed by systemic social issues. This requires us all to work together to make lasting social change,” said Jarrett. “No one agency can address this deeply rooted issue alone. I look forward to partnering with others to find equitable solutions that improve the health and well-being for all Delawareans.”

“How we produce our energy has the biggest impact on the health of our environment,” Bason said. “I share Ørsted’s vision of a world run entirely on green energy and I’m thankful for the unique opportunity to be part of a team bringing a new industry to Delaware.”

Easterseals Receives Grant for Artfulness Program

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore recently received a grant for $1,200 from Kent County Fund for the Arts, a fund of the CenDel Foundation to support their Artfulness program. This program brings art to the people with disabilities who attend the Easterseals adult day program in Kent County, Delaware.

Drewry (Drew) Nash Fennell, Esq.

Chris Bason

Jarrett Royster

“We would like to thank Kent County Fund for the Arts, a fund of the CenDel Foundation, for supporting this wonderful program that brings artistic opportunities to people with disabilities in our adult day program in Kent County,” said Easterseals President and CEO Kenan Sklenar. “Our unique roster of artists provides adapted art workshops that allow all of our adults to participate in the activities. These opportunities would not be possible without the generosity of our community partners.”

Easterseals Artfulness is in its fourth year and has provided close to 100 inperson and virtual art/cultural workshops for adults with disabilities and seniors.

Biggs Museum Launches Plan for Expansion

The Biggs Museum of American Art is poised to kick off expansion efforts, and has announced that SmithGroup, one of the nation’s leading integrated design firms, has been selected to spearhead the efforts.

In September 2021, the Biggs acquired two historic buildings adjacent to the current museum, 15 – 21 The Green. Long known for its historic art collection, an active acquisition program, and a robust schedule of special exhibitions, the natural inclination for newfound museum space would be to simply show more artwork. However, the Museum had its eyes set on long term goals beyond that. “This type of expansion is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. We don’t want to focus solely on being bigger, but on serving community needs and interests to deliver the best possible experience,” said Biggs Museum director, Michael Dudich.

Led by SmithGroup, the Museum will conduct a series of community listening sessions. In these gatherings stakeholders and focus groups will meet to

Uvax Bio Chooses Delaware for $8M Investment

Uvax Bio LLC, an early-stage biopharmaceutical company with cutting-edge vaccine platform technology that has produced both COVID-19 and HIV-1 vaccine candidates, has chosen to grow in Newark, Delaware, where it has been headquartered since forming in 2018.

As part of its expansion, Uvax Bio plans to add 63 employees to its current five-member team. Positions will range from research associates to executivelevel research directors with minimum salaries ranging from $45,000 to more than $130,000.

“Uvax Bio LLC is an innovative company in the science and technology sector, specializing in vaccine platform technology. Today’s announcement to grow in Newark shows their continued commitment to our state and workforce,” said Gover nor John Carney. “Uvax Bio plans to increase their employees tenfold with this expansion. Thank you to Uvax Bio for their commitment to Delaware’s rapidly growing life sciences sector.”

To accommodate its next level of growth, the company has relocated to 100 Biddle Avenue in Springside Plaza off Route 40. Plans there include renovating the site’s existing wet lab and office space into a facility ideal for achieving the company’s goal of developing vaccines that support public health and improve life.

re-imagine the museum’s ideal visitor experience to determine the best use and layout of the new space and rethink existing spaces.

United Way of Delaware Launches New DETV Show

United Way of Delaware (UWDE) launched Impact365 , a first-of-its-kind cable TV and streaming program showcasing community outreach initiatives and partner agencies statewide. The five-part series aired on DETV (Comcast 28) from November 7 to December 5. It is also currently available for streaming on DETVch.com, and on DETV’s and UWDE’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

Impact 365 highlights the people and tells the stories of those who have been empowered by programs and initiatives through the collective efforts of many partners. Episodes examined how community collaborations—many of which are powered by UWDE—touch

our neighbors and improve their lives every day. The program highlighted the Delaware 211 Helpline that connects Delawareans with a wide range of social services. An episode in Spanish examined challenges facing the state’s rapidly growing Hispanic community

Impact365 is hosted by Tierra Fair, UWDE’s vice president of engagement, and features community leaders and guest speakers offering an inside look at how on-the-ground programs that UWDE supports is driving positive impact across the state.

M&T Bank Supports Latino Small Business Owners

M&T Bank invested $100,000 in an initiative in Delaware that provides Latino entrepreneurs in Sussex County with the training and access to resources they need to grow their businesses and increase financial stability among their community.

The bank’s grant to La Plaza Delaware will allow the nonprofit

Newsbites

organization to hire additional staff and fund operations to serve more Latino entrepreneurs in 2023. Last year, M&T gave another $100,000 to help La Plaza hire a business/financial coach, support a 12-week, Spanish-language business development program for La Plaza’s clients, and start a loan pool administered by True Access Capital that makes loans of $2,500 to $10,000 to

Latino-owned small businesses.

“M&T’s commitment to La Plaza is one way we’re supporting the Hispanic and Latino community in Sussex County, but it certainly won’t be the only way,” Lambrow said. “While we’re focused on strengthening our existing relationships with organizations like La Plaza, we also want to increase our cultural fluency and spark additional growth and stability

within this community. That’s important to the overall success of Delaware.”

Kristen Swift Recognized as a Top Lawyer in Insurance Law

Kristen S. Swift, a partner at Weber Gallagher, has been named to Delaware Today’s 2022 “Top Lawyers” list in the category of Insurance Law.

Since 2018, Swift has been recognized by Delaware Today as a Top Insurance Lawyer in Delaware. Peers in Delaware’s legal community nominated her for this honor. The recognition reflects Swift’s work ethic and commitment to offering top-tier client service.

Brandywine Valley SPCA Opens Region’s Largest Animal Welfare Facility

The Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) opened their new new Copeland Center for Animal Welfare in October. Located at 290 Churchmans Road in New Castle, Delaware, the center replaced the old New Castle Campus with a larger, more comprehensive shelter and low-cost veterinary care facility.

The nearly 20,000 square foot facility sits on three acres. Originally the location of a veterinary specialty center, the BVSPCA nearly doubled that building’s footprint to create a full-service campus with a medical center, adoption center and community center.

“Our goal with this new facility was to meet the increasing needs for services in this community while creating a fun and inviting space for our adopters, clients, volunteers and staff,” said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA CEO. “Visitors are welcomed through whimsically designed spaces to choose a dog or cat to join their family, to reunite with a lost pet, or to get affordable veterinary care for their family pet.”

The medical center includes the first Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for shelter pets in the state of Delaware and one of the few in the tri-state area. Lamb continued, “We’re especially excited about the ICU so we can treat critically ill dogs and cats from all our locations more efficiently and cost-effectively.” The medical center also doubles the organization’s capacity to provide family pets with affordable annual preventive care and treatment for illnesses, and it doubles the capacity for spay/neuter and specialty surgeries.

Swift co-manages Weber Gallagher’s Delaware office and oversees the office’s workers’ compensation practice. As a general litigation practitioner, she takes on cases involving civil litigation, contract disputes, premises liability, construction defects, civil rights and employment claims, insurance coverage issues, HOA disputes, and real estate matters.

The Precisionists Partners with Drexel

University

The Precisionists, Inc. (TPI), a Wilmington, Delaware-based organization focused on employment for adults with disabilities announces the launch of a neurodiversity employment program that will provide business support services for Drexel University. The program leverages the talents of a team of neurodiverse adults from TPI’s workforce to address critical needs for the University

“When you consider that more than 80% of autistic adults in the U.S. are either unemployed or underemployed,

Kristen S. Swift

we are making a true difference in engaging a significant, untapped labor force,’ said Ernie Dianastasis, CEO of The Precisionists. “We are thrilled to partner with Drexel University, a world-renowned leader in higher education and an institution committed to advancing innovation in diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

ChristianaCare Names Breast Center for Tatiana Copeland

ChristianaCare has named its breast center The Tatiana Copeland Breast Center at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute in recognition of Gerret and Tatiana Copeland’s generous financial support.

The Copelands, local philanthropists and business entrepreneurs, provided a $1.2 million gift to the Graham Cancer Center in 2019 for breast cancer prevention and research for underrepresented women. Tatiana Copeland previously provided $800,000 to fund the purchase of two 3D mammography units. As a result of their philanthropic leadership, the Graham Cancer Center was one of the first facilities in the nation to offer 3D mammography.

“ChristianaCare is deeply grateful to the Copelands for their generous support of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute,” said Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH, ChristianaCare president and CEO. “They have made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many women in and around Delaware. We are deeply honored to name the Breast Center after Tatiana.”

Emilie Ninan Honored with Annual Freda Johnson Award

Emilie R. Ninan, co-chair of Ballard Spahr’s national finance department, was named the private sector winner of the 2022 Freda Johnson Award for Trailblazing

Lights On Delaware Celebrates 10,000th Home Installation

Energize Delaware’s Lights On Delaware Strong Program was launched in the summer of 2017 with the HELP Initiative, Inc. The statewide program has officially serviced 10,000 homes in high-risk communities in need of better lighting to increase energy-efficiency and improve safety. Dusk to dawn energy efficient LED lights are installed on front and back porches. In unlit neighborhoods, solar powered motion detector floodlights are installed in residents’ back yards to provide additional safety. There is no charge for the lighting installs. The HELP Initiative team works in communities to assist in reducing criminal activity and improve public safety.

“We are happy to work with the great team at the HELP Initiative. Our mission is to help people become more energy efficient. When we can give them a sense of increased safety too, that is a win-win for everyone. This program has now assisted over 10,000 homes, and still going strong,” said Tony DePrima, executive director of Energize Delaware.

Women in Public Finance, presented by The Bond Buyer and Northeast Women in Public Finance (NEWPF).

Named for the trailblazing NEWPF founding board member, the prestigious annual Freda Johnson Award

recognizes two women—one in the public sector and one in the private sector—who exemplify Ms. Johnson’s qualities as a trailblazer, leader, innovator, and mentor. Annual winners are among the most influential women in the industry, whose extraordinary accomplishments are helping redefine the public finance landscape.

“Leadership, thoughtfulness, and pro-

Emilie R. Ninan

Newsbites

fessionalism are hallmarks of everything Emilie undertakes at Ballard Spahr and across the finance industry,” firm Chair Mark Stewart said. “Emilie is a mentor and role model, and works tirelessly to support her Ballard Spahr colleagues, her clients, and the profession. We are proud to see her honored and fortunate to have her as our partner.”

business partner by the Colonial School District at the October school board meeting.

Colonial School District

Croda Atlas Point Honored by

Croda International Plc, the company that uses smart science to create high-performance ingredients and solutions that improve lives, was honored as an outstanding school district

Brian Erskine, Colonial School District’s supervisor in schools presented the honor to Croda due to its continued partnership and interest in advancing the career paths of Colonial students of all ages. “Croda has opened its doors to many of the schools in our district, positively impacting students and teachers alike,” said Mr. Erskine. He continued, “It’s so powerful to work with partners who are located right here in New Castle where our students and families live.”

This year, Croda’s manufacturing site at Atlas Point has invested in the Colonial School District by providing, and underwriting, STEM programming for Eisenberg Elementary summer camp students.

Croda also opened its doors to advanced chemistry and environmental science students from William Penn High School to participate in a learning day at the Atlas Point facility. Additionally, the company provided summer scholarships that gave six William Penn High School students the opportunity to attend the week-long, residential, Bucknell University Summer Engineering Camp cost- and tuition-free in August 2022.

New Members Join Greater Wilmington CVB Board

Reinventing Delaware’s Winning Ideas

Seven ideas to create jobs and make Delaware a better state were selected to compete in the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation’s Reinventing Delaware program. The top pitch of the night came from Jeffrey Ronald, CEO of The Springboard Collective Inc., who received the most votes from the audience. Ronald proposed a plan that would move homeless Delawareans into heated, comfortable cabins with employment and educational services onsite. The initiative is being piloted in Sussex County. Ronald aims to launch the program statewide with the Foundation’s support.

The six other semifinalists are:

• Allison Levine of the Local Journalism Initiative and the Delaware Community Foundation

• Andrew Cottone of Adesis

• Charlie Vincent of Spur Impact

• Damon Martin of Launch Point Labs

• Scott Malfitano of CSC

• Zach Phillips of Short Order Production House

Jon Sheehan, chief of policy and senior advisor to Governor Carney, and Scott Stein, co-owner of Bardea restaurants, have joined the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) board of directors.

The Bureau, a 501(c)6 founded in 1978, is the destination marketing organization for New Castle County. It promotes the region as a destination for leisure travel, meetings, and conventions.

Bill Sullivan, chairman of the Bureau’s board of directors, said, “Mr. Sheehan’s deep experience in governmental affairs and Mr. Stein’s significant expertise in hospitality marketing are a winning combination. We are pleased to welcome them to our board.”

ICYMI

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Newport Family Restaraunt at Greystone Plaza: Thank you to the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce for recognizing Maria for her 40 years of hard work!

Dr. Mark Brainard: Thank you to Dr. Deborah Panchisin and the entire school community at Las Americas ASPRIA Academy High School for your hospitality, kindness, and spirit of partnership with @DelawareTech during my Principal for a Day visit today. #dtccpride #depfad

The Committee of 100: The #DevelopingDE Conference provided valuable updates on the work for Ready in 6, expansion of broadband internet and an opportunity to hear about “cool” new development projects throughout the state. Thank you to the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce for putting on an engaging event.

Jewish Family Services of Delaware: We’re on the cover of the Delaware Business Magazine! The Delaware Chamber of Commerce featured JFS in the November/December issue and wrote about why we were awarded the Superstars in Business Award!

bit.ly/3FcTcdk

Marcus Henry: Lunch at #SuperstarsinBusiness hosted by Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to Action Unlimited Resources, Inc., L&W Insurance, Schlosser & Associates Mechanical Contractors, and Jewish Family Services of Delaware. Katey Jo Evans of The Frozen Farmer inspired everyone with her keynote speech!

Chamber

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

State of the Guard Address

Learn about current missions, activities and operations from your Hometown Force of soldiers and airmen, the Delaware National Guard. FREE to attend

MARCH 24, 2023

Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference

The Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference recognizes the many important contributions that manufacturers make to the Delaware economy. Delaware’s Governor is always the invited keynote speaker for brunch. $75 Members

MAY 2023

Small Business Day in Dover

Spend a half day in Delaware’s capital where you will learn about current issues that could impact your business. Interact with the legislators who can pass or vote down bills that matter to you. $25 to attend

MAY 8, 2023

Superstars in Education & Training Awards Ceremony

This program celebrates high schools, independent training, and certificate providers with programs that are playing a key role in shaping the workforce of tomorrow. $45 Members

JUNE 7, 2023

End-of-Session Policy Conference

As the General Assembly comes to a close, get updated on the important initiatives the Chamber played a key role in shaping and a legislative wrap-up from the House and Senate leadership. $75 Members $85 Future Members

Eigen X

Environmental Alliance, Inc.

Evergreen Apartment Group

Faegre Drinker

Ferris Home Improvements

FHLBank Pittsburgh

FideliTrade, Incorporated

First State Compassion

FMC Corporation

Fraunhofer USA, Center for Molecular Biology Fulton Bank

Goldey-Beacom College

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at Community College of Philadelphia

Goodwill of DE & DE County

Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health

Gunnip & Company

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield DE HFS Advisers

Hopkins & Sons

Horty & Horty, P.A. i.g Burton IncNow

Incyte

Integra Administrative Group

Invista

Janssen’s Market

JPMorgan Chase Kenny Family Foundation Kind to Kids Foundation Kuehne Company

L&W Insurance LabWare, Inc.

M&T Bank M. Davis & Sons, Inc.

Maillie LLP

Masley Enterprises, Inc.

McConnell Development

Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce

milliCare Floor & Textile Care Morris James LLP

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell

Mountaire Farms

MySherpa

Nemours Children’s Health

Neumann University

New Castle Insurance

NIIMBL

Novo Nordisk

Offit Kurman

Ørsted Pennrose

Peter Gilman

PNC Bank

Potter Anderson & Corroon

Precision AirConvey

PSEG Nuclear, LLC Richards, Layton & Finger Rodel

Ronald McDonald House of Delaware

Saint Mark’s High School

Sallie Mae

Santora CPA Group

Schell Brothers

Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 19 ShopRites of Delaware

Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes

SSD Technology Partners

SUN Behavioral Delaware Sunday Breakfast Mission Survivor Ventures

TD Bank

TELEDUCTION

Tevebaugh Architecture

The Parker Family TidalHealth

Tidewater Utilities, Inc. United Concordia Dental University of Delaware US Wind

VanDemark & Lynch, Inc.

Verdantas

Verizon Delaware

We Work for Health Delaware Weiner Benefits Group

Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC

Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.

Wilmington Airport (ILG)

Wilmington University W.L. Gore

Wohlsen Construction

WSFS Bank

Your Part-Time Controller

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS IN 2023 AND BEYOND

CALL THE CHAMBER

The State Chamber of Commerce staff works for you, serving our member companies and organizations statewide.

This State Chamber staff directory lists phone numbers and email addresses, as well as individual areas of responsibility. If you need business assistance or information, please don’t hesitate to call.

Michael J. Quaranta

President (302) 576-6585 mquaranta@dscc.com

Regina Donato

Manager, Program & Communications (302) 576-6567 rdonato@dscc.com

Fred Miller

Advertising/Retention (302) 576-6579 fmiller2@dscc.com

Kelly Basile

Vice President, Strategic Communications (302) 576-6564 kbasile@dscc.com

Ken Evans

Account Executive (302) 576-6576 kevans@dscc.com

Kerri Welcher

Events Manager (302) 576-6566 kwelcher@dscc.com

STAT

1201 N. Orange Street, P.O. Box 671 Wilmington, DE 19899-0671 (302) 655-7221 www.dscc.com facebook.com/delawarestatechamber twitter: @DEStateChamber

Helana Rodriguez

Director, The Partnership, Inc. (302) 576-6575 hrodriguez@dscc.com

Melissa Brayman

Office Administrator (302) 576-6572 mbrayman@dscc.com

Tyler Micik

Manager, Public Policy & Government Relations (302) 576-6590 tmicik@dscc.com

Matt Volk

Digital Advertising Sales (302) 576-6571 mvolk@dscc.com

The mission of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is to promote an economic climate that strengthens the competitiveness of Delaware businesses and benefits citizens of the state. The Chamber will provide services members want; it will serve and be recognized as the primary resource on matters affecting companies of all sizes; and it will be the leading advocate for business with government in Delaware.

But not if you can help it.

Today in Delaware, more than 100,000 of our neighbors will go without a nutritious meal. While right around the corner, tons of good, fresh foods are going to waste.

You can rescue this food with the help of the 302 Food Rescue app. Or you can encourage your employer to donate food to be rescued and donated to feed those in need.

Find out how at 302FoodRescue.org or scan this code to download the app today.

302FoodRescue.org

Every day in Delaware, food that could go here goes here instead.