Newsbites

DuPont and The Precisionists, Inc. Collaborate to Employ Neurodiverse Adults

“When properly assessed and trained, neurodiverse people, including those impacted by autism, are extremely high-performing professionals. TPI’s employees bring innovative approaches to performing critical and challenging jobs such as administrative business, manufacturing quality control and IT functions,” said Ernie Dianastasis, CEO of The Precisionists. “When you consider that more than 75% of autistic adults in the U.S. are either unemployed or underemployed, we are making a true difference in engaging a significant, untapped labor force. We are thrilled to partner with DuPont, a world-class leader in innovation, and an employer committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

This project is DuPont’s first neurodiverse employment pilot. Individuals taking part in this project within DuPont’s Kalrez® business in Newark. They will conduct project-based work performing final inspections within the manufacturing process of Kalrez® O-rings. In addition, they will receive ongoing direction, training, and support from their TPI project coordinator.

“Being a diverse and inclusive company means that everyone can come to work with their own unique and special skills and talents, said Kimberly Markiewicz, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at DuPont. “That’s why we’re fostering a culture and environment where everyone feels valued and most of all, empowered to maximize their potential for success.”

BBB Serving Delaware Honors Whisman Giordano & Associates

Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC (WGA) is the 2022 recipient of the Edward M. Rush Memorial Award from the Better Business Bureau Serving Delaware. This annual award is given to a Delaware family-owned business who share the Better Business Bureau’s core values of trust and integrity.

President and Managing Director Joseph V. Giordano, CPA, CGMA, said, “This is quite an honor. We don’t do what we do every day for awards and recognition. That being said, we thank the BBB, the Rush family, and our team for making this possible. My father isn’t one for attention, but I credit him for building the foundation upon which we’ve been able to grow. We’ve believed in building relationships built on honesty and trust from our start. It’s nice to be recognized for that.”

Agilent Technologies Expands in Delaware

Agilent Technologies Inc., a global analytical instrumentation development, life sciences and manufacturing company and one of Delaware’s largest private-sector employers, has chosen to modernize and expand its existing Little Falls office and lab campus in response to growing worldwide demand for the company’s analytical laboratory consumables products.

Agilent plans to invest more than $7 million to upgrade the functionality of its Little Falls R&D and applications development labs at the three-level, 354,000-square-foot Wilmington-area site. The company’s investment will go toward the complete redesign, demolition, construction, and outfitting of the existing laboratories.

“Delaware has a long tradition of expertise in the field of chemistry,” said Governor John Carney. “This investment shows that Delaware remains a leader in innovative development.”

“Agilent has a long and successful history in the State of Delaware, and this investment in our laboratories will enable world-class R&D for the fast-growing biopharma market, while expanding and supporting our Delaware-based team,” said John Gavenonis, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Chemistries and Supplies Division. “Delaware is the right place for this R&D investment.”

PMG Consulting and Blue Blaze Open Shared Office

PMG Consulting and Blue Blaze Associates, two women-owned small businesses with decades of experience delivering results-driven and strategic solutions for their clients, opened a new shared hybrid office space at CSC Station on the Wilmington Riverfront.

“As many industries are reimagining the workplace, we’re thrilled to be part of the vibrant energy at CSC Station,” said Wendy Scott, co-owner and principal of Blue Blaze Associates. “Blue Blaze has grown throughout the pandemic, even as perceptions about virtual offices and virtual teams have evolved. We’re excited by this new opportunity to create face-toface interactions beyond our screens with our clients, our PMG colleagues, and our CSC neighbors.”

While the two companies will continue to operate independently from one another, this new partnership between PMG and Blue Blaze opens the door for collaborative projects and shared growth.

“PMG Consulting is excited about this incredible opportunity to partner with Blue Blaze Associates and accelerate both companies’ growth by working together,” said Peggy Geisler, founder and owner of PMG Consulting. “We at PMG pride ourselves in our work and always seek out best-in-class partners like Blue Blaze. PMG and Blue Blaze both share the same passion for the success of our clients and the communities we serve.”

AT&T Establishes First Responder Scholarship Endowment

AT&T has established a scholarship endowment with Delaware Technical Community College to fund tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and course materials for students enrolled full-time in the Criminal Justice associate degree program at the Dover, Georgetown, or Stanton campuses. Preference will be given to students between the ages of 18 to 24 years old who represent an underserved community or demonstrate a financial need.

The Criminal Justice associate degree program prepares students for a career in law enforcement including as a police officer, correctional officer, criminal justice case manager, or residential treatment staff. The effort is part of AT&T’s overall commitment to creating a mobile broadband network for public safety personnel in Delaware and encouraging recruitment for public safety roles.

“Partnerships with companies like AT&T are important for the College,” said Delaware Tech President Dr. Mark T. Brainard. “We are committed to helping to train the next generation of public safety personnel for the State of Delaware, and this scholarship will benefit many deserving students in the years to come.”

“Careers in public safety can be rewarding both personally and professionally,” said Denis Dunn, president, AT&T Delaware. “This scholarship program will help those who want to serve and protect their communities. We’re excited to team up with Delaware Tech on this initiative.”

Brandywine Valley SPCA Receives $1.5 Million Grant

The Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) received a $1.5 million grant investment from national nonprofit Petco Love. This lifesaving investment is the single largest grant received in BVSPCA history and is among the largest grants awarded by Petco Love.

One million dollars of the grant will be applied to the BVSPCA’s new campus in New Castle, Delaware. The new campus, expected to open in late summer of this year, expands a former veterinary specialty center with a new shelter to form a nearly 20,000 square foot animal welfare center. The new center will feature the first shelter Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the region and will double the organization’s capacity to provide low-cost veterinary care to family pets. It will also enhance shelter pet housing with features like outdoor catios, indoor/outdoor dog kennels, and outdoor dog play yards.

Brandywine Valley SPCA’s new campus in New Castle, Delaware.

The remaining $500,000 will be applied to lifesaving programs, including the BVSPCA’s Mega Adoption Events. These events place over 1,000 animals with families in a large-scale, two-day event.

Nickle Electrical Relocates Headquarters

Nickle Electrical Companies has relocated its New Castle County headquarters to 125 Ruthar Drive, Newark, DE 19711. The organization has doubled the size of its headquarters to accommodate growth of the business and expand its Virtual Design Construction and Fabrication departments. Nickle had occupied its previous headquarters since 1994.

“We’re experiencing a significant amount of growth within the industry. Our business is thriving, and it was time to move so we could accommodate that growth,” said Vice President of Operations Jeromy Newton. “Not only can we house more office staff, but we’re especially seeing evolution in virtual design and fabrication, so we felt it was important to expand that space significantly. We’re excited and grateful for the opportunity to flourish within the new space.”

ChristianaCare Opens School-Based Health Center

To address health issues at the earliest and most preventable stages, provide whole child health, and advance health equity in the community, ChristianaCare opened a new school-based health center at Kuumba Academy Charter School in Wilmington in May.

The creation of the center—made possible through ChristianaCare’s partnership with the Community Education Building (CEB), which houses Kuumba Academy—means that students at the kindergarten-through-eighth grade school will have increased access to an array of health services.

“At ChristianaCare, we recognize the comprehensive health needs of adolescents in our community and are committed to partnering and using our resources wisely and effectively to expand our school-based health centers,” said Bettina Tweardy Riveros, J.D., chief health equity officer and senior vice president of government affairs and community engagement at ChristianaCare. “We know that childhood trauma adversely affects the ability of children to learn and build healthy relationships and it increases their risk of mental health issues and lifelong chronic disease.”

With the latest opening, ChristianaCare now operates 21 school-based health centers throughout the First State, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services, the Delaware Division of Public Health and several school districts.

Cover & Rossiter Announces Recent Promotions

Cover & Rossiter is pleased to announce the following promotions. Peter Hopkins has been promoted to Principal in the Tax Department. Samantha Maiorano has been promoted to Supervisor in the Audit Department. Rebecca Furey has been promoted to Senior Accountant.