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DELAWARE

BUSINESS September/October 2026

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The Coolest Thing Made in Delaware

Josh Miller, the artist behind Artnsaw Chainsaw Carving, is sculpting a new chapter

A PUBLICATION OF THE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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Periodicals

DELAWARE STATE

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THE DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO THE

190

ANNUAL

DINNER MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2027

CHASE CENTER ON THE RIVERFRONT | WILMINGTON, DELAWARE FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

PAUL N. HEATH

DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE. CONTACT KBASILE@DSCC.COM TO LEARN MORE.

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The State Chamber was recognized by our peers from across the country in August with the Greatest Membership Growth Award at the National Association of State Chambers’ Annual Meeting in Niagara Falls.

In this Issue Features MANUFACTURING....................................................................................... 16 The Coolest Thing Made in Delaware: Artnsaw Chainsaw Carving

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT........................................................................... 26

Departments President’s Message...........................2 Legislative Priority...............................3 Looking Back at the 153rd General Assembly Member News and Notes....................4 Nonprofit Spotlight: Ronald McDonald House Delaware Business Spotlight: Essity

Lessons from Loudon County Powering the Communities We Call Home

State Chamber Scene........................ 13

EDUCATION & UPSKILLING.......................................................................... 31

Welcome New Members.................... 15

Passing the Torch Starting in Today’s Classrooms

HEALTH & WELLNESS................................................................................. 42 Transforming Rural Health The Infrastructure Behind Better Health

In Case You Missed It........................ 50 Chamber Calendar............................ 51 Newsbites......................................... 52 For Assistance, Contact the Chamber..................................... 56

On The Cover

Artnsaw Chainsaw Carving, a one-man operation led by Josh Miller, won the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Delaware competition. Moving forward, Miller is planning on operating under the name Josh Miller Carving. Photo by Nick Wallace Photography. DELAWARE BUSINESS

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Volume 31, Number 5 / Delaware Business (USPS 012098) (ISSN 153253542) is published bi-monthly by the DSCC Center for Business Management. Subscription price is $30 a year (included in membership dues). Known office of publication is 1201 N. Orange St., Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19801. Periodicals postage paid Wilmington, DE 19850. Postmaster: Send address changes to Delaware Business, c/o DSCC Center for Business Management, P.O. Box 671, Wilmington, DE 19899-0671. Telephone (302) 655-7221. 1

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Message from the President

DELAWARE BUSINESS EDITORIAL STAFF

Energy costs for Delaware businesses and their employees are likely to remain elevated for quite some time given current world events. Here’s a look at the supply side of the equation. Before open conflict spread throughout the Middle East, about 20 million barrels of oil transited through Michael J. Quaranta the Strait of Hormuz each day. Qatar produced roughly 18.5 billion to 20 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day, making the country the second-largest supplier of liquefied natural gas in the world. Prior to the war in Ukraine, Russia produced about 10 million barrels of oil per day, making it the world’s third-largest supplier of oil, behind the United States and Saudi Arabia. However, Russian daily production has decreased by approximately 1.4 million barrels of oil and refined products per day, which remain offline as of the time of this writing. With a population of approximately 143 million, shortages of refined products will create a financial burden for the Russian government while soaring domestic costs are felt by citizens. On the demand side, China imports about 11% to 15% of its annual crude oil needs from Iran and another 17% to 20% from Russia. Overall, China imports more than 70% of its annual crude oil needs, making it the largest oil importer in the world. Russia’s second-largest customer for crude oil is India. India imports approximately 2.7 million barrels of oil from Russia daily and is highly dependent on imported oil, bringing in more than 90% of its total oil needs. I haven’t even mentioned exports from Iraq, Venezuela, or the United States, or countries most dependent on imports, such as Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Slovenia. The implications of today’s geopolitical turmoil will have long-lasting impacts not only on the countries directly involved but also on businesses here at home, as costs fluctuate due to import and export challenges and global competition. It will take years and billions of dollars to repair damaged oil and gas infrastructure in these countries, not to mention finding the engineering talent and construction materials needed to restore production and refining capabilities. Here at home, that means continued price swings and several years of higher prices, and that’s the best-case scenario, assuming conflicts end and no other similar disruptions occur. The conclusion? Make long-term plans because these challenges aren’t likely to resolve themselves anytime soon.

DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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John C. Gooden Chair

Michael J. Quaranta President

Regina Donato Editor

Christina Jones Graphic Design

Catherine M. Bassett Mountaire Farms

Natalie Keefer Bank of America

Greg Smith The Chemours Company

Scott Baylis WSFS Bank

Colleen Perry Keith, Ph.D. David A. Tam, MD, Goldey-Beacom College MBA, CPHE, FACHE Beebe Healthcare Robert McGuckin

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR John C. Gooden M. Davis & Sons, Inc. VICE CHAIR Nicholas A. Moriello, RHU Healthcare Innovation Acceleration, LLC

Andrew Cottone, Ph.D. Aternium Terry Glebocki Delaware Park Casino

Verizon

Michael A. Meoli The Meoli Companies

Bridget Therriault AstraZeneca Rod Ward CSC

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Michael A. Albero, CPA, MST+ AKA Advisory, LLC Tony Allen, Ph.D. Delaware State University

Lisa M. Donlon, PE VanDemark & Lynch Janet Dougherty Fulton Bank, N.A.

Thère du Pont Pierre Anderson Longwood Foundation Artesian Water Company, Inc. Jerry Esposito

Julia B. Keleher, Ed.D, MBA, PMP First State Educate Melissa Kenny ShopRites of Delaware

Michael Ratchford W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Dr. Rob Rescigno Collaborative Consulting LLC

Lloyd A. Ricketts Apollo Khine Wilmington University Barclays US Consumer Bank Robert “Rob” Rider, Jr. Steve Baccino Espo Enterprises, LLC Matthew Lantange O.A. Newton Chesapeake Utilities TD Bank John C. Fannin III Bettina Tweardy Riveros Christopher W. Baker Harvey, Hanna & Associates Alan Levin ChristianaCare George & Lynch, Inc, SoDel Concepts G. Kevin Fasic, Esq. Jake Ruddy Greg Ballance Offit Kurman Mike Little PCS Diamond Technologies Allen Harim Foods, LLC Jennalee Fede, PE Rhett Ruggerio Marcus L. Beal Verdantas LLC Andy Lubin Ruggerio Willson Watson Delmarva Power Delaware Financial Group Brian Frazee Dennis M. Salter Mike B. Berardi Delaware Healthcare Mac Macleod Edinburgh Capital Wohlsen Construction Co. Association Carvertise Management LLC Adam Blackford Donald T. Fulton Scott Malfitano Chris Schell Agilent Technologies Weiner Benefits Group CSC Schell Brothers Robert A. Book II Martha S. Gilman William E. Manning Albert Shields Delaware Electric Cooperative Cornell Property Saul Ewing LLP University of Delaware Management Corp. Jennifer Gimler Brady Katie McEvoy Robert S. Smith Potter Anderson & Joseph V. Giordano AT&T Delaware Santora CPA Group Corroon LLP Whisman Giordano & Gregory Miraglia Jonathan Starkey Associates, LLC Dr. Mark T. Brainard PNC Bank Delaware State University Delaware Technical Jason D. Gonzalez Jeff Mitchell Mark Stellini Community College Qnity™ Electronics, Inc. Siegfried Advisory Assurance Media Beth G. Brand Lorri H. Grayson University of Delaware

GGA Construction

Desa Burton Zip Code Wilmington

Dr. LaVerne T. Harmon Wilmington University

Darren Buseman B&M Meats, Inc.

Paul N. Heath Richards, Layton & Finger

Robert L. Byrd ByrdGomes

Logan S. Herring, Sr. The WRK Group

Patrick Callihan Tech Impact

Kirsten Higgins Tidewater Utilities, Inc.

Christopher Carroll Comcast

Marie Holliday, CPA* The Bonadio Group

Stuart Comstock-Gay Delaware Community Foundation

Tom Horne JPMorganChase

Michael Houghton Charlie Copeland Morris, Nichols, Arsht Associates International, Inc. & Tunnell, ret. Pam Cornforth Tim Houseal^ Ronald McDonald House Young Conaway Stargatt Charities of Greater Delaware & Taylor, LLP

Jonathan D. Moll, CPA Belfint, Lyons & Shuman

Mike Tatoian Dover Motor Speedway

Chad Moore Beacon Hospitality

Jim Taylor Saul Ewing LLP

Colleen Morrone Goodwill of DE & DE County

Ivan Thomas DETV

Terry Murphy Bayhealth Medical Center

Jana Tidwell AAA Club Alliance

Vera Holmes Toliver Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH DuPont ChristianaCare Michael S. Uffner Chris O’Neill AutoTeam Delaware PSCI Mike Vanderslice Jed Patterson Onterris LabWare Timothy L. Vessel Chris Perdue Highmark Blue Cross Blue Perdue Farms Shield Delaware Robert W. Perkins Robert W. Whetzel Brandywine Public Strategies Richards, Layton & Finger

Jason Danner Kelly Benefits Strategies

Jessica Hunt Siemens-Healthineers

Rick Deadwyler Corteva Agriscience™

Mark Hutton M&T Bank

Ernest Dianastasis The Precisionists, Inc.

LeVar Johnson Novo Nordisk

Ciro Poppiti Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan LLP

Brian DiSabatino EDiS Company

Cathy Kanefsky Food Bank of Delaware

Chip Rankin MilliCare

Melissa Brayman Director, Administration & Finance

Kiley Michulka Events Manager

Mike Petka Bancroft Construction Company

Ed Winslow Citizens Bank Kevin M. Wolfgang Evergreen Apartment Group +Treasurer ^Counsel *Immediate Past Chair

STAFF Michael J. Quaranta President Kelly Basile Chief Operating Officer 1201 NORTH ORANGE STREET, P.O. BOX 671 • WILMINGTON, DE 19899-0671 WWW.DSCC.COM

Danielle Blake Vice President, Member Engagement

Regina Donato Director, Communications

Evan R. Park Vice President, Government Relations

Damon Howard Manager, Digital & Print Advertising

Amanda Schimmel Manager, Marketing & Strategic Programs

September/October 2026

Kerri Welcher Director, Delaware State Chamber Foundation Tori Will Manager, Administrative & Member Support

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LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY

Looking Back at the 153rd General Assembly

PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF/FINAL FOCUS

BY EVAN R. PARK

WHEN THE 153RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY adjourned in the early morning hours of July 1, 2026, it brought to a close the first full legislative session under Gov. Matt Meyer. The session gave the governor his first opportunity to put forward a legislative agenda of his own, beginning with the fiscal year 2027 recommended budget and extending across a broad range of policy priorities. Education and health care commanded much of the public attention, but lawmakers also considered a number of issues with significant implications for Delaware’s business climate. Lawmakers returned to Legislative Hall on Jan. 13, 2026, with a busy agenda that included hospital budget oversight, New Castle County commercial property assessment reform, education funding recommendations from the Redding Consortium, the FY27 budget, and several highprofile veto overrides. Meyer entered the session with a $6.94 billion recommended budget that appropriated 98% of projected revenue and maintained the Budget Stabilization Fund at $469.3 million. By the end of June, lawmakers had approved a $6.9 billion operating budget, a $146.2 million one-time supplemental budget, and nearly $1.3 billion for capital improvements and infrastructure investments. Throughout session, the Delaware State Chamber remained closely engaged in the legislative process on behalf of Delaware employers. Of the 591 bills and resolutions introduced during the session, the State Chamber monitored 77 and took formal positions on 34, evenly divided between 17 bills supported and 17 opposed. That work extended beyond tracking legislation and included member engagement, committee testimony, conversations with lawmakers, and proposed amendments aimed at advancing sound public policy and improving Delaware’s economic competitiveness. Several State Chamber priorities made it across the finish line. Among them were Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos’ banking modernization package, Senate Bills 16, 18, and 19; Sen. Russ Huxtable’s affordable housing legislation, Senate Bill 23; Sen. Bryan Townsend’s measure targeting organized gift card theft, Senate Bill 280; and Sen. Darius Brown’s legislation modernizing the Delaware Technical Innovation Program, Senate Bill 315. DELAWARE BUSINESS

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Working alongside a broad coalition of stakeholders, the State Chamber also helped defeat or shape legislation that raised concerns for employers. Those measures included Senate Bill 272, which would have expanded project labor agreement requirements on school construction projects; House Bill 306, which proposed new regulations for chatbots; House Bill 315, which addressed interchange fees; and House Bill 417, which sought to provide targeted gross receipts tax relief to a limited segment of the restaurant industry. Not every outcome aligned with the business community’s position. Notably, House Bill 380 established new data privacy requirements despite State Chamber opposition. Several energy and environmental measures also became law, including Senate Bill 326, raising concerns about the potential long-term effects on Delaware’s competitiveness and overall business climate. The close of the 153rd General Assembly also marks a period of transition in Legislative Hall. Eight lawmakers are retiring at the end of their terms: Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokola, Sen. Dave Lawson, and Reps. Debra Heffernan, Ron Gray, Rich Collins, Kevin Hensley, Charles Postles, and Jeff Hilovsky. We thank each of them for their public service and wish them well in retirement. With the two-year legislative session complete, the focus now shifts to the 2026 election season and the makeup of the next General Assembly. Legislation that did not pass both chambers during the 153rd General Assembly will have to start the process again when the 154th General Assembly convenes on Jan. 12, 2027. Evan R. Park is the vice president of government affairs for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

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Member

news&Notes

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT:

Ronald McDonald House Delaware To celebrate its 35th anniversary, Ronald McDonald House Delaware recently welcomed past and present families back for its first Family Reunion Event. Families enjoyed a day filled with fun, food, and laughter, and commemorated the 35th anniversary by pressing their fingerprints into clay, helping to create a mosaic that will be displayed in the House’s lobby. The piece highlights the bonds and connections made over the years among families battling the same fight: childhood illness.

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Opening its doors in 1991, Ronald McDonald House Delaware is known for providing temporary housing, but it also offers a wide range of support services for families. These include nutritious meals, transportation, and dedicated space for families during long treatment days through two Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms in local hospitals. Together, these services ease many of the logistical challenges families face, allowing them to focus on their child’s care. Through partnerships with Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, and The

BY VICTORIA ULRICH

Center for Women’s and Children’s Health at ChristianaCare’s Newark Campus, families can stay close to where their child is receiving treatment. “Many people think the most important part of our organization is the bed we provide and the food we serve, but we are finding from data and surveys that the support families provide one another is just as important,” said President and CEO Pam Cornforth. “They are with families that are going through the same thing, and they become friends and support teams for one another.”

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This philosophy is reflected throughout the House, where staff and volunteers work to create a welcoming environment during an incredibly difficult time. “We bring heart to the Ronald McDonald House,” said Cornforth. In 35 years, the nonprofit has served more than 50,000 families, supporting families from Delaware and beyond by providing closer access to treatment without the costly hotel stays. Starting with just 17 rooms, Ronald McDonald House Delaware has now grown to accommodate 52 rooms. This growth has been made possible in large part through community support and fundraising, as it costs $153 a night to operate each guest room. While families are asked to donate $15 a night, Ronald McDonald House Delaware recognizes that many families it serves are experiencing other financial burdens, such as lost wages and high medical bills.

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Families are never turned away due to an inability to contribute. The average contribution by families is around $2 a night, leaving a funding gap of $151. In addition to fundraising efforts, Ronald McDonald House Delaware welcomes diverse volunteer opportunities from the community. “A great way to get started with volunteering is to help with our meal program. It can be very rewarding to directly see the impact of volunteer service,” said Erin McGrath, director of marketing and strategic initiatives. “Volunteers work with our chef, prepare the meal, and serve it directly to families.” Another way to support the mission is by participating in the organization’s annual fundraising events. From familyfriendly 5K runs and walks to the popular Wine Women & Shoes fundraiser and this year’s 38th Annual Golf Tournament, there is an event for everyone.

While the anniversary celebrates 35 years of impact, Ronald McDonald House Delaware sees it as an opportunity to look ahead to the future. By sharing the experiences of the families it serves, the organization hopes to strengthen awareness of its mission and continue providing support for families for years to come. Cornforth said, “We are excited to tell our story and celebrate our 35th-anniversary milestone with guest families and the community.”

Victoria Ulrich served as a communications and policy intern for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce during summer 2026.

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Member

news&Notes

Keeping Delaware Business Moving BY CLIFF GRUNSTRA

On the Delmarva Peninsula, freight rail is more than a mode of transportation; it is a critical link to the region’s economy. Delmarva Central Railroad (DCR), operated by Carload Express, serves more than 50 customers across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, moving the commodities and materials that keep farms, manufacturers, builders, and communities supplied. From agricultural products and propane to stone, building materials, fertilizer, and industrial inputs, DCR helps businesses move large volumes efficiently while reducing truck traffic on local roads. DCR began operations in December 2016 after obtaining a long-term lease and operating rights on Norfolk Southern-owned track on the Eastern Shore. Since then, the railroad has

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expanded to operate more than 188 miles of track, with freight operations based in Harrington, Dover, and Seaford. The company now employs 36 full-time team members, many of whom have been with the railroad since its earliest days. That continuity matters in an industry where experience, discipline, and teamwork are essential. At the center of DCR’s culture is a simple mission: safety comes first. Every job begins with a safety briefing, and the company invests heavily in training, certification, tools, and equipment. The work demands employees who are calm under pressure, attentive to detail, strong communicators, and committed to following rules. DCR’s hiring process reflects that reality, using rigorous screening and aptitude assessments

to identify people who can thrive in a high-responsibility environment. That safety-first approach supports a broader business philosophy: do the job right the first time, understand each customer’s supply chain, respond quickly to opportunities and issues, and plan for longterm growth. DCR has invested more than $21 million in private capital improvements to the railroad over the past five years, including track rehabilitation, bridge and infrastructure work, locomotive refurbishment, and technology upgrades. DCR also measures success in practical, customer-focused terms. Freight rail is one of the most fuelefficient ways to move goods, and DCR regularly moves one ton of freight more than 900 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel. On an average day, the railroad removes approximately 650 trucks from Delmarva roads —the equivalent of more than 8.5 miles of trucks lined end to end. That efficiency lowers fuel use and emissions, reduces highway congestion, limits wear on public roads, and supports a more sustainable transportation network. Customer partnership is another defining strength. DCR designs service around the needs of individual shippers, from splitting large unit trains into manageable blocks to developing local shuttle moves, transload facilities, and railcar storage solutions. The railroad recently converted to an AI-powered transportation management platform that gives internal and external customers

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real-time access to information, improving visibility across operations, customer service, railcar tracking, and invoicing. When challenges arise, DCR’s team looks for practical solutions. During recent disruptions affecting stone shipments onto the peninsula, the railroad worked with customers and its Class I partner to increase train sizes from 82 cars to more than 130 cars, helping keep essential construction materials moving even when capacity was constrained. The solution required more work from DCR’s crews, but it reflected the company’s commitment to its customers and the broader economy. DCR’s connection to the community runs just as deep. Many Delmarva towns grew around the railroad, and DCR continues to honor that history through hazardous materials training for police and volunteer fire departments, sponsorship of local events such as Heritage Day in Harrington, and participation in chamber and economic development programs. For DCR, moving freight is about more than steel wheels on steel rail. It is about helping Delaware businesses compete, providing customers with dependable service, supporting public infrastructure, and building a safer, stronger, more connected Delmarva.

Aternium Selects Dover for Flagship Location In early August, Aternium Inc. announced that it selected Dover, Del., as the location for its first commercial heavy water and electrolytic hydrogen production facility. The facility will serve as Aternium’s flagship U.S. deployment and represents a major step toward establishing a secure domestic supply of heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide, and high-purity hydrogen for strategic U.S. industries. The project is expected to bring at least $226 million in capital investment to Dover, create dozens of direct and support jobs, and generate hundreds of additional construction jobs. The project is designed to strengthen U.S. supply chain resilience for deuterium, a strategic material used in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, advanced electronics, nuclear energy, defense, and emerging fusion technologies. Today, the United States lacks commercial-scale domestic heavy

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water production, leaving key sectors dependent on adversarial foreign sources for a material increasingly relevant to energy security, advanced manufacturing, and national competitiveness. “Dover is the right location to launch Aternium’s vision for rebuilding a critical American supply chain,” said Andrew Cottone, founder and CEO of Aternium. “This facility will help secure domestic access to an essential strategic material, create high-quality careers, support advanced manufacturing, and reinforce America’s leadership in energy, technology, and national security. The Dover facility is expected to be the first in a planned network of production sites across the Mid-Atlantic region, enabling a reliable, resilient, and scalable supply platform for customers as demand grows. Aternium’s broader development strategy includes additional facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Cliff Grunstra is the executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Carload Express, who operates Delmarva Central Railroad.

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Member

news&Notes Chair Message BY JOHN C. GOODEN

I have worked in construction and manufacturing since I was young, and for most of my life, I thought about health in very physical terms. As a teenager working on a roofing job one summer, I became severely dehydrated and ended up in the hospital for treatment. That experience, and others like it, shaped how I approached my own well-being for decades: if something was wrong, you saw a doctor, got treated, and got back to work. Mental health was a different story. In the construction industry, suicide remains a serious and often silent problem, frequently occurring with no visible warning signs. Physical injuries are treated and healed. Mental health struggles, by contrast, are too often ignored, dismissed as a personal weakness rather than recognized as a health issue deserving the same attention as a broken bone. I shared that blind spot for most of my career, and I want to share how that changed. I came to understand that mental health deserves the same urgency and care as physical health. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I was serving as president of M. Davis. Our leadership team had to make rapid decisions as customer sites closed and regulations shifted daily. We restructured operations, kept a core team in the office to maintain continuity, and worked to keep our people employed through the uncertainty. It was one of the

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most demanding stretches of my career. That period also brought significant personal strain. I dealt with a medical emergency that required surgery, a back injury that sidelined me for a time, and the loss of my sister that spring, when public health restrictions limited how we could gather to grieve. Later that year, I contracted COVID-19 and spent several weeks recovering, followed by a longer period of fatigue and difficulty getting back up to speed. It was a great deal to carry at once, on top of running a business through a crisis. In October 2020, I lost my mentor and close friend unexpectedly. He had stepped into an operations role when I became president and had been with M. Davis for more than 40 years. We had spoken by phone just hours before his passing, discussing an upcoming project. The days that followed required me to inform our leadership team, help the organization adjust, and, at his family’s request, deliver his eulogy, which was one

Reducing the stigma around seeking help and improving access to timely care is not just a personal issue but also a business and community priority.

of the greatest honors of my life. It was also the moment I began to feel the full weight of the previous months. That weight did not simply fade. Over the following months, it surfaced as frustration and irritability that I didn’t fully understand at the time. I leaned on people close to me to talk things through, but I realized that wasn’t fair to them, and it wasn’t resolving anything for me either. After roughly two years of managing on my own, I spoke with my primary care physician about finding a therapist. I expected that process to be straightforward. It was not. I spent months on waiting lists, was told repeatedly that providers weren’t accepting new clients, and struggled simply to get a call back. Eventually, I connected with a therapist, and the work we have done together, continuing to this day, has been life-changing. I share this because leaders set the tone for the organizations they run, and silence around mental health carries a real cost. The lesson is straightforward: mental health deserves the same urgency as physical injuries, and leaders have both the platform and the responsibility to help make that clear. Reducing the stigma around seeking help and improving access to timely care is not just a personal issue but also a business and community priority. People are harmed, and lives are lost, when stigma or lack of access stands between someone and the help they need. We have both the platform and the responsibility to change that.

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Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore Names New President and CEO Pam Reuther officially became president and chief executive officer of Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore on Sept. 1, following a national search conducted by the organization’s Board of Directors in partnership with Dunleavy & Associates. She succeeds Ken Sklenar, who retired after leading the organization for 13 years. A Delaware native, Reuther has dedicated her entire 32-year career to Easterseals, most recently serving as chief operating officer. “After undertaking a thorough and thoughtful process, it became clear that the best person to lead Easterseals was already here,” said Walter Kowal, vice chair of the Board of Directors and chair of the transition committee. “Pam’s strategic leadership, operational expertise, and unwavering commitment to our mission set her apart.” Reuther joined Easterseals in 1994 as a physical therapist and advanced through a series of leadership roles, including clinical coordinator, director of outpatient rehabilitation therapy, vice president of programs, and chief operating officer. During her tenure, she helped expand the organization’s services from 15 to 22 programs, strengthened operations, secured millions of dollars in grant funding, and guided Easterseals through periods of significant growth and organizational change. “Pam’s appointment by a unanimous vote reflects the Board’s confidence in

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her proven leadership, strategic vision, and, above all, her unwavering commitment to the mission of Easterseals,” said Pierre Anderson, chair of the Easterseals Board of Directors. “She has earned the trust of employees, families, and community partners, and is well-positioned to build on Easterseals’ strong foundation for future success.” Reuther said she is honored to lead the organization into its next chapter. “I learned very early in my career that this work is about people — first and always,” Reuther said. “Every day, we have the opportunity to help people achieve greater independence, dignity, and opportunity. There is no greater privilege than being part of that journey. I am deeply honored by the Board’s confidence and excited to continue working alongside our extraordinary staff, Board, volunteers, and community partners to create opportunities for people with disabilities, seniors, and caregivers to live with dignity, independence, and purpose.” Sklenar said Reuther’s experience and leadership make her well-suited to guide the organization into the future. “Pam is an exceptional leader who understands every aspect of this organization because she has helped build it over the past 32 years,” Sklenar said. “She leads with compassion, integrity, and vision. I know Easterseals

will continue to thrive under her leadership.” Before becoming president and CEO, Reuther was recognized as a Delaware Business Times C-Suite Awards honoree. Originally from Newark, she graduated from St. Mark’s High School before earning both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Neumann University, graduating summa cum laude. Under Reuther’s leadership, Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore will continue its mission of providing services that empower people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and caregivers to live with greater independence, dignity, and purpose.

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Member

news&Notes Mayor Mike Purzycki and Former-Governor Jack Markell.

A Vision for Wilmington REMEMBERING MICHAEL S. PURZYCKI

BY REGINA DONATO | PHOTOS COURTESY OF RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION The Wilmington Riverfront is one of Delaware’s top destinations for business, housing, entertainment, and recreation. Three decades ago, it was a collection of vacant industrial properties with an uncertain future. Few people did more to change that than Michael S. Purzycki. Purzycki, who passed away on May 19 at the age of 80, first arrived in Delaware on a football scholarship to the University of Delaware. After an

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opportunity with the New York Giants was cut short by injury, he earned his law degree from Widener University’s Delaware Law School and built careers in real estate, law, and public service. He served as counsel to the Delaware State Senate and on New Castle County Council before becoming the first executive director of the Riverfront Development Corporation in 1996. Under Purzycki’s leadership, the Riverfront evolved into one of Delaware’s

most successful redevelopment projects. Businesses, hotels, restaurants, offices, housing, and event spaces replaced abandoned industrial land, creating a district that continues to attract investment while reinforcing Wilmington’s role as Delaware’s economic center. The Riverfront’s success also helped restore confidence in Wilmington as a place to invest, creating momentum for redevelopment throughout the city and demonstrating what strategic public-

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private partnerships could achieve. “Mayor Purzycki was the right person for Wilmington at the right time in its history. He had the benefit of working in the development industry and seeing firsthand how job creation and bolstering employment could lead to opportunities for residents,” says Michael J. Quaranta, president of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Purzycki brought that same focus on investment and revitalization to City Hall after being elected Wilmington’s 56th mayor in 2016. During two terms in office, he prioritized neighborhood investment, housing, public safety, and economic opportunity while guiding Wilmington through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quaranta, who served as mayor of New Castle during much of Purzycki’s tenure in Wilmington, often had the opportunity to work alongside him. “I had the privilege of collaborating with [Mike], and then-New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, on issues of

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mutual interest — especially along the Route 9 corridor. Mike was clear-eyed and easy to read. Some people were put off by that directness, but I found it refreshing because we always knew where each other stood. Make no mistake, however, he cared deeply about people and his city. I admire him for taking on that challenge.”

Purzycki’s legacy is reflected not only in the Riverfront’s continued success, but in the renewed confidence it inspired in Wilmington as a place to invest, work, and live. For Delaware’s business community, perhaps no contribution is more enduring than changing what people believed Wilmington could become.

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Member

news&Notes BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

Essity

Manufacturing goods “for everybody and every body” is a campaign Essity runs and believes in across all of its products. When Essity had the opportunity to operate in Delaware, it was an easy yes. In February 2026, Essity acquired the feminine care business from Edgewell Personal Care. Today, the company owns the Dover manufacturing facility, where it produces well-known products, including liners, tampons, and pads under trusted brands such as Carefree, Stayfree, and Playtex. As a global leader in hygiene and health products, Essity is committed to providing essential and sustainable solutions that meet consumers’ everyday needs. With millions of people relying on its brands each day, the company is focused on improving personal hygiene, advancing health outcomes, and reducing its environmental impact. Having access to safe, affordable everyday health products plays a critical role in preventing many common health complications. This is where Essity is making a difference. The Senior Director of Operations for Essity’s Dover Feminine Care plant, Taryn Dalmasso, believes one of the most important parts of the acquisition is the people, from workers and customers to the broader Delaware community. By acquiring and continuing to operate the Dover manufacturing facility, Essity preserved hundreds of manufacturing jobs in Kent County. Today, more than 450 employees from Delaware and the surrounding region work at the facility. Their knowledge and dedication helped ensure a smooth transition to Essity while con-

BY VICTORIA ULRICH

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tinuing the plant’s long history of manufacturing trusted feminine care products. Dalmasso reflected on what made the acquisition so valuable. “It was important to expand the feminine care business by investing in or buying really strong brands, but also acquiring the talent and knowledge of the people here at the plant,” said Dalmasso. “Having the people who both understand the product and can bring it to life was crucial.” Beyond the manufacturing facility, Essity is an active member of the Delaware community. From participating in local parades and volunteering with Boys & Girls Clubs to serving as the Official Hygiene Sponsor of the Delaware State Fair, Essity considers it a top priority to give back to Delawareans. After all, Delaware may be a small state, but people and the business community prove its large contribution. While Essity

may be a global company, it recognizes that every facility and every community plays an important role in advancing its mission to improve health and well-being through better hygiene. Looking to the future, Essity’s focus is to continue the integration smoothly in Delaware and ensure all workers feel supported through this journey. From community outreach to business continuity support, the company is committed to building a strong foundation for longterm success. “It’s a bit like buying a house. When you close, there is still a lot of work to do. You own the house, but there’s upkeep and things that need to be done,” finishes Dalmasso. That commitment to continuous improvement, both inside the facility and throughout the community, will continue to guide Essity’s next chapter in Delaware.

September/October 2026

| DELAWARE BUSINESS

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CHAMBER

SCENE

1. The Delaware Young Professionals Network (DYPN) hosted a summer happy hour and enjoyed networking in the warm weather.

2. Gov. Meyer unveiled a plaque honoring this year’s Delaware Warrior Friendly Business Award winners: Mission AI Consulting and EDiS Company. 3. DSCC hosted an evening mixer at Faithful Friends Animal Shelter, where attendees met a wide variety of animals, including a rescued pig named Fred.

4. Rep. Sean Lynn joined DSCC staff for a member-to-member meeting with Harvest Ridge Winery to learn about production and hear concerns from the business community. 5a. State Chamber COO Kelly Basile moderated a conversation on being an AI-ready state and balancing tech innovation, policy, and purpose in Delaware at this year’s Spur Impact Leadership Summit.

4. 5a.

5b. Director of Communications Regina Donato also moderated a panel focused on volunteering and finding the right fit. 6. Our August Networking Breakfast was held at The Mill Seaford, providing attendees with a firsthand look at its brand-new coworking and office space within the historic Nylon Capital Center.

6. 5b.

DELAWARE BUSINESS

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Let’s Bring Great Science to Life Cancer treatments. Safe drinking water. Sustainable energy. Behind every human achievement, big and small, there is Great Science. At Agilent, we are champions of science. We collaborate with scientists to learn their specific challenges and bring fresh solutions with practical, tangible outcomes to make a positive impact on people and the world around us. © Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2026

Here in Delaware, we manufacture advanced tools, such as gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers and handheld Raman spectrometers, that scientists use in their labs and in the field. We support our customers on their journey of making a real difference in human lives. Join us. Working together, let’s bring Great Science to life. www.agilent.com/go/careers

28TH ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2026 Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

CHRIS SCHELL CEO Schell Brothers

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please email kmichulka@dscc.com for more information.

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September/October 2026

| DELAWARE BUSINESS

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WELCOME

New Members COMPILED BY VICTORIA ULRICH

22ND CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES INC.

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agency located in Downtown Wilmington, Del.. They fuse

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026 | 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, DOVER

Delaware has long benefited from a strong economic foundation, a resilient workforce, and an environment where businesses and innovation can thrive. But in an increasingly competitive region, creating an actionable plan to become and remain competitive requires more than celebrating our strengths; it requires an honest assessment of where we stand and where we need to improve. By looking beyond our borders and compare Delaware's

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community beyond its stores,

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Atlantic region, including

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

Founded in 1912, Weis Markets

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WEGMANS FOOD MARKETS INC.

www.wegmans.com (585) 464-4660 100 Wegmans Market St. Rochester, NY 14624

Together, we'll explore key issues impacting our future— including energy reliability, availability, and affordability; housing; and fiscal stability—while examining opportunities to strengthen our state's economic outlook. Through conversation, collaboration, and a data-driven analysis of our strengths and weaknesses, we can identify actionable solutions that support job creation, economic growth, and a stronger future for all Delawareans.

Wegmans Food Markets strives to be the very best at serving its customers’ needs. With a

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September/October 2026

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8/24/26 3:46 PM

Manufacturing

Delaware’s manufacturing sector is as diverse as it is innovative, ranging from one-person artisan shops to global industry leaders. DELAWARE’S MANUFACTURING sector continues to power the state’s economy, generating more than $8.2 billion in annual output and employing more than 26,000 Delawareans. Supported by a strategic location, competitive business climate, and skilled workforce, manufacturing remains one of Delaware’s largest traded sectors. To celebrate the products, companies, and people behind that success, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce (DSCC) and its affiliate, the Delaware Manufacturing Association (DMA), launched the Coolest Thing Made in Delaware contest in 2024. Now in its third year, the statewide competition continues to showcase the depth and diversity of Delaware manufacturing, highlighting everything from advanced industrial products to beloved food and drink. The 2026 contest featured 42 products from 37 Delaware

manufacturers. Through several rounds of public online voting, the field was narrowed from the Top 16 to the Top 4 before one product earned the title of the Coolest Thing Made in Delaware. Artnsaw Chainsaw Carving was named the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Delaware during the Delaware State Chamber’s Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference on March 26 at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover. As a one-person operation creating handcrafted chainsaw sculptures, Artnsaw’s victory highlighted the broad range of businesses that make up Delaware’s manufacturing community and reinforced the contest’s mission to celebrate manufacturing in all its forms. The 2027 Coolest Thing Made in Delaware contest will open in spring 2027. For more information, contact Regina Donato at rdonato@dscc.com. n

“Delaware’s manufacturing community is defined by its diversity. This is a great reminder that there is no single mold for what manufacturing looks like in our state.” — Michael J. Quaranta, President, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce 16

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COOLEST THING MADE IN DELAWARE WINNER

Artnsaw Chainsaw Carving Chainsaw Carvings Artnsaw Chainsaw Carving, a one-man operation founded by Josh Miller of Felton, Del., was crowned the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Delaware.

“I’m grateful to be able to support my family doing something I love, and it’s an honor to be up here alongside so many amazing people. To be voted the “Coolest Thing Made in Delaware” is a true honor amongst so many other products manufactured here in the First State.” —Josh Miller, Founder, Artnsaw Chainsaw Carving TOP 4 FINALISTS Jam Session Jams Delaware Dozen Jams and Jellies

Waggies by Maggie & Friends Peanut Butter Bones

Wilmington Brew Works Delabear Beer

TOP 8 FINALISTS Bloom Energy Energy Server

ILC Dover Astro™ EVA Spacesuit

RAPA Scrapple Scrapple

UDairy Creamery 1923 Ice Cream

TOP 16 FINALISTS ChristanaCare CRISPR in a Box

Essity Playtex Sport Tampons

G2 Performance Marching Band Uniforms

Printed Solid Prusa 3D Printers

Qnity Emblem™ Semiconductor Polishing Pads

Staging Dimensions Pipe Grid and Rib Frame System

SUMURI LLC TALINO Forensic Workstations

Waters Corporation HR 30 Discovery Hybrid Rheometer

DELAWARE BUSINESS

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September/October 2026

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Manufacturing

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September/October 2026

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The Accidental Manufacturer

The chainsaw artist behind the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Delaware is proving manufacturing comes in many forms BY PETER OSBORNE | PHOTOS BY NICK WALLACE PHOTOGRAPHY

THE TREE in Josh Miller’s front yard in Shrewsbury, Pa., was dead on one side, lightning-struck, and leaning toward the house, so he bought the cheapest electric chainsaw he could find and cut it down to a five-foot stump. He had never run a chainsaw in his life. Then, because “Despicable Me 2” had just come out and he and his 2-year-old daughter loved it, he carved what was left into a pair of Minions. That was 2014. Miller had no idea that 12 years later a one-man shop built on that accident would outlast a spacesuit, a fuel cell, and a CRISPR kit, then beat a craft beer, jams and jellies, and dog treats in a public vote for the title of Coolest Thing Made in Delaware. When he entered this year’s contest, he didn’t know it was about manufacturing at all. He heard the radio ad, decided he made something pretty cool in Felton, and signed up. The fine print came later. “Well, technically I do manufacture,” he recalls thinking. The Minions lived on a busy road. People pulled over for pictures. They made the paper. When water got into the wood and the Minions started to rot, Miller cut them down. Then a neighbor showed him a Facebook thread where people were planning a candlelight vigil. “I was just doing something for a laugh for my kids and myself,” he says. He patched them up and set them back out. He kept carving. A guitar for his grandmother, a battle cross for a friend killed in Iraq, and a bear for his mother that still sits in his shop. For years, it was a hobby that funded the next saw, while he painted cars and then cut car keys for a living, bored most of the time. DELAWARE BUSINESS

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September/October 2026

Then came 2020. Dealerships stopped letting outside vendors in, a key company furloughed more than half its workforce, and Miller was one of them. “I’ve never been furloughed,” he says. “That was rough on me.” At an event in South Carolina that spring, another carver’s wife told him to go home and talk to his own wife about doing this full time. So he did. His wife Colleen said he should have done it two jobs ago. Five and a half years later, he is still carving full time. And his stuff was good enough that Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top signed Miller’s carving of him at the 2022 Delaware State Fair. His wood of choice is paulownia, prized by Japanese carvers. American farmers planted stands of it decades ago to export to Japan until that market dried up. Now Miller hunts for the wood on farms where growers planted trees 30 years ago. Somewhere along the way, he stopped chasing perfection. He’d demanded it for years painting cars; with wood, he lets the material misbehave. One eagle turned up hollow in the center, the kind of flaw that used to send a piece to the burn pile. Now he works flaws into the design, and it can become one of his favorites. The name on the work is changing, too. For years, the shop has been Artnsaw (pronounced Art-N-Saw), a pun on his two tools and on Arkansas, where he was born before the family moved east. Nobody pronounces it right the first time. So moving forward, he’s calling himself Josh Miller Carvings, and he’s building a website so he can sell online instead of leaning on word of mouth. His lack of marketing, he admits, has been the weak spot. 19

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Manufacturing

“I’ve worked for large manufacturers, and now I’m doing this as a one-man operation. So I often joke that I’m the Lead Sawdust Manufacturer.” —Josh Miller, Founder, Artnsaw Chainsaw Carving Delaware manufacturing employs more than 26,000 people, and the Coolest Thing Made in Delaware contest was created to keep the state aware of the industry. Miller came out of that world himself; he once painted military drones. “I’ve worked for large manufacturers, and now I’m doing this as a one-man operation,” he said at the ceremony, “So I often joke that I’m the Lead Sawdust Manufacturer.” Miller recalls when a customer in Minnesota ordered seven eagles at once, and the old rhythm came back. “I felt like I was in a manufacturing line again, carving the bodies, carving the wings, doing assembly.” Michael J. Quaranta, who runs the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, put it plainly at the ceremony: “There is no single mold for 20

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what manufacturing looks like in our state.” In July, he loaded Colleen and the kids into the truck and drove to Lincoln, Mont., a town whose last graduating class had seven students, for a competition that doubles as a benefit for a family who lost a son to cancer. Half of every auction dollar goes to the foundation. Miller carved a soaring eagle with a flag in its talons in the timed competition, and it sold for $6,750, more than he is used to seeing back home. He is going to Libby, Mont., in September for the prestigious Clash of the Carvers. He has a piece he has been holding in his head for a year. He’ll only say he has never seen anyone do it, and that he can’t wait. His income is a roller coaster: Some months he carves two or three September/October 2026

| DELAWARE BUSINESS

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What science can do is a celebration of our shared curiosity about the limitless possibilities of science. In short, all of us at AstraZeneca are here for good reason. Because we believe that when we work together, we can help transform lives and create a healthier planet. And whatʼs more powerful than that? Change lives. Thatʼs what our science can do.

pieces a day to stock up for the road, and some months bring nothing close. Carving can wear on a body, and at 45 he feels it. He has Type 1 diabetes, and Colleen’s job carries the family’s insurance. His advice to any 22-year-old who wants to try this: Do it part time first and see whether the numbers hold. “This whole life since I started this has been all about experiences,” he says, adding that he has been able to show his kids the country he never saw growing up. The guy who carved Minions with a cut-rate chainsaw now has 16 saws. With a Delaware Business magazine cover photo shoot the next day and no finished pieces on hand, Miller headed back to the shop, where a slab of paulownia was waiting to become something. n DELAWARE BUSINESS

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September/October 2026

Through cutting edge research and technologies, AstraZeneca is focused on drug discovery, development, and life-cycle management. Our innovation is improving public health and changing lives, with a commitment to launching at least 20 new breakthrough medicines by 2030.

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Manufacturing

Transforming the Future of Data Center Cooling BY NATHAN BLOM

FOR GENERATIONS, Delaware has been a place where scientific discovery and manufacturing excellence come together to solve real-world challenges. The First State has built a reputation for transforming research into technologies that have a global impact. Today, the U.S. finds itself in a global race to lead in artificial intelligence (AI) and winning that race requires a rapid buildout of nextgeneration AI data centers. While discussions about data center growth often focus on securing more electricity generation and new water supplies, the more pressing challenge may be how efficiently those resources are used once they enter the facility. The reality is that a significant share of a data center’s energy consumption is not used to perform computing tasks; rather, it is used to manage the enormous amounts of heat generated by increasingly powerful processors. More than 95% of data centers today rely on traditional aircooling technologies, and more than 40% of total energy consumption 22

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can be dedicated to cooling IT equipment. Many facilities also require substantial water use to support cooling systems. As demand for AI, cloud, and high-performance computing continues to soar, the industry’s challenge is no longer simply finding additional energy and water resources. It is maximizing the value of every watt of electricity and every gallon of water available. That challenge is becoming more urgent as AI chips continue to grow more powerful. Each new generation delivers greater computing performance, but also generates more heat. Industry experts increasingly recognize that conventional air-cooling and even single-phase liquidcooling systems are approaching their thermal limits, making it increasingly difficult to cool next-generation hardware efficiently. This challenge has sparked a new wave of innovation happening right here in Delaware. At the Chemours Discovery Hub (CDH) on the University of September/October 2026

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Delaware’s STAR Campus in Newark, more than 300 scientists, engineers, and researchers work to advance technologies that address emerging societal and industrial needs. Among the technologies being advanced at CDH are innovative liquid-cooling technologies that can dramatically improve how data centers manage energy and water. Unlike traditional air cooling, which relies on large chillers and fans blowing cold air throughout the facility, liquid cooling removes heat directly from the source. Chemours’ Opteon™ two-phase direct-to-chip fluids, available today, deliver cooling directly to high-heat-generating chips inside servers, enabling significantly greater cooling efficiency. Looking ahead, Chemours is also advancing Opteon™ two-phase immersion-cooling technologies designed to support the next generation of AI infrastructure. In these systems, servers are placed in sealed containers and immersed in Opteon™ two-phase immersion-cooling fluid. As heat is generated, the fluid boils and evaporates, carrying heat away from the equipment. The vapor then condenses and returns to liquid form, creating a highly efficient closed-loop cooling cycle. The result is a fundamentally different approach to resource management. Compared to traditional air-cooling technologies, twophase immersion cooling can help data centers reduce cooling energy use by up to 90%, while nearly eliminating water consumption. It can also help reduce noise pollution associated with fans and even reduce facility

footprints. This is accomplished because the liquid captures 100% of the heat generated by the entire system, not just the hottest components, like central processing units (CPUs) or graphics processing units (GPUs). This matters because the future of AI will not be determined solely by how much power generation capacity or water infrastructure can be built. It will also depend on how intelligently those resources are used. Every kilowatthour saved through more efficient cooling can be redirected toward computing capacity. Every gallon of water conserved can help reduce pressure on local resources. As the demand for AI continues to accelerate, the most sustainable path forward is making better use of the water and energy resources that we already have. Through innovations, such as two-phase direct-to-chip and immersion cooling technologies, Delaware researchers and engineers are helping make that future possible — ensuring that the infrastructure powering tomorrow’s digital economy is not only more powerful, but also more efficient. n

Nathan Blom is the vice president of liquid cooling at Chemours.

HEADSHOTS. BUSINESS PHOTOGRAPHY. VIDEOGRAPHY. VISIT WWW.NICKWALLACEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM TO GET STARTED

DELAWARE BUSINESS

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September/October 2026

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Manufacturing

TALINO AI workstations are designed, assembled, and tested at SUMURI’s facility in Magnolia, Del.

Powering the AI Revolution How a Kent County manufacturer is powering the shift to bring artificial intelligence in-house BY JASON ROSLEWICZ

WHEN MOST PEOPLE PICTURE the hardware behind artificial intelligence, they imagine sprawling data centers in Silicon Valley or factories overseas. Few picture Magnolia, Del. But in our small Kent County town, SUMURI has been designing and building highperformance computers for more than 15 years, and today those machines are powering AI workloads for businesses, laboratories, law firms, and government agencies across the country. SUMURI’s roots are in digital forensics. Since 2013, our TALINO workstations have been trusted by law enforcement agencies and corporate investigators to process enormous volumes of digital evidence — work where a crashed system can stall a case and a security lapse is unthinkable. That heritage taught us to engineer for sustained, missioncritical computing: machines that run at full capacity for days, keep sensitive data under local control, and are supported for the life of the system. As it turns out, those are exactly the demands that artificial intelligence now places on hardware. Over the past few years, AI has moved from experimental to operational. Organizations of every size are using it to review documents, analyze data, process media, and accelerate decisions. Most started in the cloud, and for many tasks, the cloud works well. But businesses are discovering its limits: recurring subscription costs that grow with usage, latency on large jobs, and — above all — data privacy. If your work involves client records, intellectual property, health information, or evidence, sending it to a thirdparty server may be a risk you cannot accept. That is why on-premise AI is growing so quickly. A dedicated AI workstation runs models locally: your data never leaves the building, performance is not throttled by an internet connection, and costs are 24

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“The question is no longer whether your organization will use AI it is where your data will live when you do.” predictable. For regulated industries and any company that treats its data as an asset, local AI is not a luxury, but due diligence. Every TALINO AI workstation is configured, assembled, and rigorously tested by our engineers in Magnolia, then supported by the same team for its entire life. Even the enclosures are Delaware-made: our rugged 3-millimeter aluminum chassis are manufactured by a partner in Newport, Del., keeping the supply chain close to home and the quality under our direct oversight. Manufacturing here is not a marketing line for us; Delaware’s central location, skilled workforce, and business climate let a company our size compete with and outperform the largest system builders in the world. For fellow State Chamber members exploring AI, my advice is to start with two questions: What workloads matter most to us, and where should our data live while we run them? If the answer to the second is “Here,” you may be surprised to learn the hardware you need is already being built just down the road. n

Jason Roslewicz is the executive vice president of operations at SUMURI.

September/October 2026

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Made in Delaware. Trusted Everywhere. Essity makes more than products in Delaware. We build careers, support our communities and create opportunities for people to grow. We’re proud to be a Delaware employer with a global reach and a local commitment.

DELAWARE BUSINESS

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September/October 2026

Join Our Team

essityusa.com/careers

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Energy & Environment

Energizing the Future

Bloom Energy’s 25-year journey and commitment to Delaware BY TYRONE JONES

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, Bloom Energy Founder, Chairman, and CEO KR Sridhar set out with a bold vision: to make clean, reliable energy accessible to everyone. Bloom was built on the conviction that abundant electricity has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and create economic opportunities. That vision continues to guide Bloom Energy today and is tangible in Delaware every day. For nearly 15 years, Delaware has been at the heart of Bloom Energy’s growth and innovation. What was once a traditional manufacturing site evolved to a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility where more than 1,100 Delaware workers design, build, and deliver innovative energy technologies that helps to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Delaware’s energy future, like that of the nation, depends on thoughtful planning, innovation, and investment. Businesses, hospitals, schools, manufacturers, and data centers need more electricity, and they need it to be reliable, resilient, sustainable, and affordable. Meeting that demand is essential to economic competitiveness, long-term growth, and the wellbeing of communities. Bloom Energy’s fuel cell systems, manufactured here in Delaware, are helping meet that challenge. Bloom’s fuel cell platform enables customers 26

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to generate power onsite, where and when it is needed most. Producing electricity closer to where it is used strengthens reliability and resilience while reducing emissions, lowering water use, and minimizing noise compared with traditional power generation technologies. The impact extends well beyond the technology itself. Every day, Bloom employees help deliver solutions that power hospitals healing patients, data centers supporting the digital economy, manufacturers creating jobs, and institutions serving communities around the world. Their work demonstrates that advanced manufacturing can deliver global impact while creating opportunity here at home. Bloom’s Delaware employees include engineers, technicians, operators, supply chain specialists, veterans, skilled trades professionals, and recent graduates. They are also parents, mentors, coaches, volunteers, and community leaders that bring the same dedication they show at work to the neighborhoods where they live, helping make Delaware’s communities stronger. Through partnerships with schools, higher education institutions, workforce development organizations, and community groups, Bloom is helping build the next generation of talent. Our employees support STEM education, volunteer initiatives, charitable efforts, and civic programs that open doors, create opportunity, and inspire future innovators. This commitment to community reflects a central belief that innovation September/October 2026

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and economic development should advance together. A thriving economy requires reliable energy, a skilled workforce, and strong community partnerships. Bloom Energy is proud to contribute to all three. Delaware has long shown that it can compete on a global stage through innovation, collaboration, and a willingness to lead. Bloom Energy’s presence in the state is an example of what can happen when advanced manufacturing, a skilled workforce, and community partnership come together around a shared purpose. As Bloom Energy celebrates its 25th anniversary, we remain inspired by KR Sridhar’s vision and by the more than 1,100 Delaware employees who bring it to life each day. Together, we are helping build an energyabundant future that strengthens communities, creates economic opportunity, and makes progress possible for everyone. Together with the entire Delaware community, Bloom Energy is proving that when innovation, purpose, and people come together, communities are empowered, economies grow, and the future is energized. n

Tyrone Jones is the director of policy and external affairs at Bloom Energy.

DELAWARE BUSINESS

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September/October 2026

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HEALTH LIVING AT THE YMCA

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Energy & Environment

Lessons From Loudoun County

Energy leadership means protecting economic growth and community interests BY TONY HOWARD HERE IN VIRGINIA, Loudoun County’s experience as the world’s leading data center market offers important lessons for every community considering its energy and economic future. Among these lessons is the importance of ensuring your community invests the time and effort to properly plan for the impacts and investments that any industrial development will create. These plans must include ensuring that you have the infrastructure to accommodate growth, the appropriate regulatory environment to plan for and manage growth, and the commitment to protect the economic and social interests of your entire community. Let me state: Data centers have been a godsend for Loudoun County’s economy, our county’s fiscal strength, and the interests of our residents. Financially, Loudoun County government reaps more than $1 billion in net tax revenues from this industry. Those revenues fund nationally 28

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recognized schools, public safety, parks, and many more services our residents cherish. The industry’s presence has also strengthened Loudoun’s reputation as a global technology hub and contributed to the county’s long-term economic competitiveness. In addition, the industry has made historic levels of investment in local and regional workforce development, while supporting the needs of countless local nonprofits that serve our community. At the same time, the industry’s growth has created legitimate challenges involving energy supply and transmission, land use, and neighborhood impacts. For example, our nation’s failure to properly plan for and invest in energy infrastructure over the past generation has come back to haunt us. Now that the data center and related artificial intelligence revolution are upon us, America lacks the 21st-century energy infrastructure to fully leverage this moment. We see this failure play out locally in the September/October 2026

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Communities that can provide dependable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy will be best positioned to attract investment and support their residents without sacrificing affordability, reliability, or environmental stewardship. acrimonious public debate over the construction of power lines through neighborhoods and other areas ill-suited to such infrastructure. That is a failure of government planning at all levels, not of either industry or residents. Here at the Loudoun County Chamber, we are working to ensure that public dialogue focuses on the balance between economic growth and protecting the interests of the entire community. As responsible business leaders, we must remain focused on investing in the electric grid and infrastructure needed to provide reliable power. At the same time, those projects should be planned transparently, with meaningful public input and careful consideration of their impact on neighborhoods, businesses, and natural resources. We must also expand the diversity of our energy supply to meet the growing needs of an increasingly electrified and technology-driven economy. Renewable energy, advanced nuclear technologies, hydrogen, geothermal power, and other emerging resources must be part of the conversation. Equally important is investment in energy storage. New battery technologies and other forms of long-duration storage can enable

DELAWARE BUSINESS

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September/October 2026

renewable energy to be captured when available and deployed when demand is highest. The data center industry is already implementing more efficient cooling systems, cleaner backup power, improved water conservation, energyefficient computing, and technologies that allow facilities to respond more effectively to grid conditions. Communities that can provide dependable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy will be best positioned to attract investment and support their residents without sacrificing affordability, reliability, or environmental stewardship. n

Tony Howard is the president and CEO of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce.

8/24/26 3:46 PM

Energy & Environment

Powering the Communities We Call Home BY MARCUS BEAL

FROM OUR ATLANTIC COASTLINE to the 12-mile circle and our western and southern borders with Maryland, Delaware is home to diverse landscapes and vibrant communities. As members of this vibrant community since the company’s founding in 1909, Delmarva Power has deep roots in the state’s energy history. Since then, our company and our workers have held to two commitments: strengthening our ties to Delaware through economic and community investment, and ensuring the First State has the reliable, safe, and affordable power it needs to meet the demands of the moment. We’re proud to deliver that energy and especially proud to deliver it through the hard work of Delawareans; no one understands our neighbors and our equipment better than the people who call this state home. Economic development depends on a strong workforce, which is why Delmarva Power is investing in the talent that will help power Delaware’s future. Through partnerships with schools, colleges, and community organizations across the state, we’re helping students explore careers in energy, technology, and the skilled trades while building pathways to family-sustaining jobs. These efforts include STEM education initiatives such as our new STEM Center at Academia Antonia Alonso Charter School, the Delmarva Power Global Challenge Sustainability Conference at Delaware State University, the Delmarva Power Community Scholars Program at Delaware Technical Community College, and Pathways to Success in Sussex County. Our commitment to Delaware extends beyond pipes and wires. Delmarva Power supports community investment, energy efficiency, workforce readiness, and customer affordability programs. Our employees don’t just restore power after a storm; they show up on their own time, volunteering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and other local nonprofits. At the same time, our investments generate real returns. Independent economic analysis from the Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore shows every $1 million invested in electric utility capital projects supports approximately 7 jobs, generates nearly $530,000 in labor income, creates almost $1 million in local GDP, and drives more than $1.5 million in total economic activity. That’s real jobs for Delawareans, and real money flowing back into our local businesses, schools, and neighborhoods. We are proud to be part of the communities we serve. We are your neighbors, the people at your kids’ STEM fairs, at Habitat build sites, and at community college career days. We’re at the summer barbecues, 30

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coaching local sports teams, and at the fall school events. And we are equally committed to solving the challenge Delaware families feel most acutely right now: the rising cost of energy. That pressure is real, driven by global market volatility and a regional imbalance between energy supply and demand that Delaware did not create and cannot solve alone. But we fully intend to be part of the solution. In an effort to shore up reliability and reduce customers’ bills, Delmarva Power advocated for House Bill 470 this past legislative session, which would have allowed the company to own and operate grid-scale battery storage, subject to Public Service Commission approval. The legislation would have allowed Delmarva Power to capture electricity when it’s plentiful and inexpensive and deploy it when demand peaks and prices spike. It’s one of the most direct tools available to improve reliability and ease cost pressure on the grid. HB 470 passed the Delaware House unanimously, but it did not receive a vote in the Senate Energy Committee before the session closed. That is why we will continue to pursue multiple avenues for advocacy and solutions. Alongside battery storage, we will also press forward on community solar, expanding access to local, clean, more affordable power, especially for lower-income households. Together, we believe these two solutions represent the clearest, most immediate path to a more resilient, more affordable grid. Delaware’s energy future will take an “all-of-the-above” approach, so we remain open to any policy that can meaningfully improve reliability and lower costs, provided there is real support behind it. None of this work happens in isolation. It depends on our ongoing partnership with Delaware’s elected officials, regulators, and community organizations, all working toward the same goal: affordable, reliable energy for every Delaware customer, backed by actions that are real, concrete, and impactful. We’ve been part of Delaware’s communities for more than a century, and we intend to be here for the next one. As we work to meet the growing demands of a 21st-century grid, that work will always be rooted in doing right by our neighbors, our friends, and our families across the state. n

Marcus Beal is the region president and vice president of government and external affairs for Delmarva Power.

September/October 2026

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Education & Upskilling

Delaware Works

A generational handoff and the doors we open now BY LAKRESHA MOULTRIE, ESQ.

IN MY TENURE as Secretary of Labor since January 2025, I have insisted upon the use of data in support of our mission: to empower workers, job seekers, and employers by ensuring safety and justice in the workplace, cultivating a skilled workforce, and connecting people to benefits, employment, training, and labor market information. This has not always been the province of the Department of Labor (DOL), but it is now. Particularly relevant is how the DOL now draws valid inferences from relevant numbers and then devises optimal solutions. Case in point: A single number tends to dominate any conversation about Delaware’s labor market: a labor force participation rate of 58.4% in June, the lowest on record in data reaching back to 1976. Taken alone, this number suggests a state stepping away from work, but the fuller picture tells a far more encouraging story. This is a story reflecting demographics more than disengagement. Residents age 65 and older now constitute roughly 30% of Delaware’s civilian population age 16 and older, and their presence pulls the statewide labor force participation rate downward. Carving out this population to get a clearer perspective helps: Among prime working-age Delawareans, ages 25 to 54, participation actually stands at 85.5% — 2.2 percentage points above the national rate of 83.3%. Delawareans in their working years are not on the sidelines. They are more engaged than their counterparts across the country. What Delaware is experiencing is not withdrawal. It is a generational handoff. The state’s 10-year occupational projections make the scale of that transition plain. Delaware will need to fill approximately 58,500 positions each year through 2034. Only about six percent of those openings stem from job growth. The remaining 94 percent arise as workers retire or move into different occupations. The same demographic shift that lowers the headline participation rate is simultaneously opening tens of thousands of doors each year. Those doors are wider than many Delawareans realize. Roughly 80% of these openings do not require a bachelor’s degree; they are reachable through a credential, structured on-the-job training, or a registered apprenticeship. And as of July 1, the cost of reaching them has changed. Workforce Pell DELAWARE BUSINESS

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September/October 2026

Grants now extend federal Pell aid — up to $7,395 — to short-term training programs lasting eight to 15 weeks, which had never before qualified. For the first time, a Delawarean can pursue a credential in a high-demand field with substantial federal support and little or no debt. The design of that policy deserves particular attention here. Program eligibility is determined at the state level, in consultation with the workforce board, based on alignment with high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations. In other words, the same projections that identify where Delaware’s opportunities lie will determine which training programs Delawareans can finance. Our labor market data is no longer merely descriptive. It now governs access. The urgency lies in who reaches these doors first. Delaware’s teenage unemployment rate reached 20% in June, and approximately 70% of those young people are first-time job seekers rather than displaced workers. This is a challenge of entry, but it is precisely the kind a state can solve when it decides to do so. Delaware is meeting the challenge. This fall, the Department of Labor, in partnership with the Department of Education, employers, educational institutions, and training providers statewide, will convene the inaugural Delaware Works Summit. Not a conventional job fair, the summit aims to match job seekers with employers and training opportunities in skilled trades, health care, logistics and advanced manufacturing, and frontline supervision because those are the fields where openings, competitive wages, attainable training, and now federal aid all converge. An older generation of Delawareans is handing off the work of this state. Our task is to ensure the next generation knows exactly where passion meets profession and takes hold of it. n

LaKresha Moultrie, Esq., is Delaware’s Secretary of Labor.

8/24/26 3:46 PM

Education & Upskilling

Building for the Future

How skilled trades and smart planning drive economic growth BY MATT LENZ

THE NEXT ERA of American innovation will be defined not only by the technologies we create, but also by our ability to build the infrastructure that makes them possible. As new technologies fuel economic growth and help solve increasingly complex challenges, planning for the capacity and systems needed to support that progress has become just as important as the innovation itself. For the First State, which is evaluating how to attract new business investment, the urgent question is how large-scale infrastructure investments can leave local communities stronger than they found them. When developed with the community in mind, AI infrastructure does not exist as a collection of isolated projects; it serves as an economic engine for local businesses and creates sustained demand for local suppliers, engineering partners, contractors, builders, and skilled tradespeople. But 32

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unlocking this level of regional growth requires an equal, forward-looking commitment to the workforce needed to build and maintain it. According to an analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors, the U.S. construction industry needs roughly 349,000 new workers this year alone to meet the demands of modern infrastructure projects. To fuel the next era of American innovation, we must come together to open new pathways into the skilled trades and grow the workforce needed to build it. This commitment is embodied in America’s Workforce Academy, Meta’s nationwide workforce development initiative. Developed in partnership with Associated Builders and Contractors and CBRE, it is the largest private-sector investment in the skilled trades in American history, beginning with a first-year commitment of $115 million, with plans to allocate hundreds of millions more over the long term. The academy offers September/October 2026

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participants tuition-free training, paid stipends, covered travel expenses, and industry-recognized credentials in high-demand trades like electrical work, mechanical systems, and fiber optics. Every graduate receives a guaranteed job offer through Meta’s partners. By removing financial barriers and providing a direct pathway to employment, initiatives such as America’s Workforce Academy turn infrastructure growth into highpaying, long-term careers for workers across the country. States that invest in workforce readiness and partner with the private sector will attract not just construction activity, but the sustained economic ecosystems that follow — operations jobs, local supply chains, and a tax base that strengthens communities for decades. Delaware’s scale is an advantage here. Decisions can move faster, partnerships can form more directly, and results can be felt more immediately. When we invest in people first, the returns compound: Workers build careers, communities build resilience, and states build a foundation for growth that no single technology cycle can take away. n

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Matt Lenz is the director of public policy at Meta.

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Education & Upskilling

A Champion for Delaware’s Students

Remembering John F. Hollis and his lasting contributions to education in Delaware BY AMANDA SCHIMMEL JOHN HOLLIS believed that every student deserved the opportunity to reach their full potential. He turned that belief into action through MERIT and a lifetime of service, leaving an immeasurable mark on Delaware through his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to education. In 1974, Hollis partnered with engineers from DuPont’s Seaford plant to establish the Minority Engineering Regional Incentive Training (MERIT) program. What began as an effort to expand opportunities for minority students evolved into one of Delaware’s most impactful STEM and college preparatory programs. Over five decades, MERIT opened doors for thousands of students, many of whom went on to earn college and advanced degrees. In large, MERIT reflected the philosophy that guided Hollis’ entire career. As an educator, coach, administrator, and nonprofit leader, Hollis invested in people and communities across Delaware, championing initiatives that strengthened education, expanded opportunity, and inspired future leaders. Whether in the classroom as a biology teacher, on the athletic field as a coach, or through organizations like the Delaware Community Foundation, the Western Sussex Boys & Girls Club, and Nemours Health and Prevention Services, he believed that lasting change begins with investing in others. “I had the privilege of meeting John while I was principal of Milford High School. At the time, he was leading the MERIT program, and we became not just friends, but partners in advocating for equity in education,” said Robert Rescigno, a longtime State Chamber collaborator and member of the John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership Award Selection Committee. “John had a rare ability to unite people around a common purpose and turn vision into reality. He touched countless lives, connected the right 34

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John F. Hollis won the Delaware State Chamber’s John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership Award in 2018. people, and devoted himself to serving others. He will be remembered as an outstanding teacher, school counselor, coach, district leader, philanthropist, and community champion.” Hollis’ extraordinary contributions earned him countless honors throughout his lifetime, including the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership Award, the Jefferson Award, the DuPont Leadership Award, Volunteer of the Year for the State of Delaware, Teacher of the Year, Coach of the Year honors in both track and field and swimming, and induction into the Hall of Fame for African American Athletics and the inaugural Seaford School District Hall of Fame. John Hollis demonstrated what is possible when one person commits to creating opportunities for others. His legacy of leadership, service, and compassion will continue to shape Delaware’s future educators and leaders. n September/October 2026

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MAKE YOUR MOVE. VISIT DTCC.EDU/PROGRAMS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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Education & Upskilling

Passing the Torch

How M. Davis & Sons is educating Delaware’s next generation of skilled tradespeople BY MICHAEL A. GILMARTIN ON A SUMMER MORNING, a high school student who has never held a welding torch or threaded a pipe can step into the M. Davis Construction Trades Summer Camp and begin to see a future in the skilled trades. At a time when the construction industry continues to face a persistent shortage of skilled labor, M. Davis & Sons Inc. (M. Davis) is addressing the challenge at its source by giving young people firsthand exposure to the opportunity, craftsmanship, innovation, and pride that define modern industrial construction.

FROM PILOT PROGRAM TO REGIONAL MODEL The program was founded on a simple but ambitious premise: Students are more likely to consider construction careers when they can experience 36

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the work firsthand before making decisions about college, technical school, or employment. For many students, construction is something they see from the outside. M. Davis designed the camp to bring students inside the industry, where they discover teamwork, problem-solving, advanced tools, and career opportunities that make the trades a meaningful path. What began as an idea championed by M. Davis Treasurer Emily Sweeney and launched as a pilot program has grown into a highly anticipated annual initiative serving students in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Through partnerships with schools, instructors, sponsors, and community organizations, the camp has become a regional model for connecting young people with practical skills, career mentors, and a clearer understanding of what industrial construction can offer. September/October 2026

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HANDS-ON LEARNING, NOT PASSIVE OBSERVATION Over the course of a week, participants rotate through learning stations covering welding, pipefitting, plumbing, electrical work, rigging, and construction safety. The week is designed around hands-on participation. Students build a take-home project and use industry tools under the guidance of experienced M. Davis craftspeople, who share both their technical expertise and pride in the trades. Campers also learn how each trade contributes to the successful completion of complex construction projects and how teamwork connects them. For many, the week turns an unfamiliar career field into something real, achievable, and exciting.

MEASURABLE RESULTS The program’s impact is already visible. Over the past two years, nearly 40 students have participated in the camps, and seven have taken the next step by joining M. Davis as employees after completing the camp. These results directly connect to the company’s broader apprenticeship program, which now supports more than 100 apprentices across multiple skilled trades. Together, the camp and apprenticeship program create a practical pathway from early career exploration to long-term success. The program has strengthened relationships with local school districts, career and technical education programs, workforce development organizations and community sponsors that all share a common goal of preparing students for high-demand careers. By offering the camp tuitionDELAWARE BUSINESS

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free, M. Davis ensures that students from all backgrounds have equal access to career exploration, removing a financial barrier that too often limits opportunity.

BUILDING OPPORTUNITY ALONGSIDE THE REGIONAL WORKFORCE The Construction Trades Summer Camp gives students the chance to try new skills, learn from highly skilled craftspeople, and envision a future in an industry that builds essential infrastructure across the Mid-Atlantic region. By engaging students early and creating direct connections to apprenticeships and employment, the company is helping strengthen both its own workforce and the construction workforce across the region. As demand for skilled tradespeople continues to rise across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding region, the M. Davis & Sons Construction Trades Summer Camp shows how one company can turn a workforce challenge into a community investment. The result is a commitment to craftsmanship, character, opportunity, innovation, and building a legacy for the next generation of tradespeople. n

Michael A. Gilmartin is the president and chief financial officer of M. Davis & Sons.

8/24/26 3:46 PM

Education & Upskilling

Strengthening Our Mission, Shaping Our Future BY STEPHANIE CASEY

FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS, Padua Academy has empowered young women through a Catholic education rooted in faith, scholarship, leadership, and service. While our mission remains unchanged, the world around us continues to evolve. To ensure Padua remains strong for generations to come, the school has made a historic investment in its future with the creation of the Office of the President. Recently, Padua Academy adopted the President-Principal leadership model, a structure embraced by many of the nation’s leading Catholic schools. The appointment of Dr. Patricia Scott as Padua’s inaugural president reflects a commitment to long-term strategic planning, institutional growth, and expanded opportunities for students. Under this model, the president serves as the school’s chief executive, focusing on strategic vision, advancement, financial stewardship, and cultivating relationships with alumni, families, business leaders, and the broader community. At the same time, the principal remains dedicated to 38

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leading academics, student life, and the day-to-day educational experience. Together, this collaborative approach allows each leader to focus on their areas of expertise while keeping students at the heart of every decision. The creation of the Office of the President is more than a leadership change; it is an investment in the educational experience Padua offers today and in the opportunities available to students tomorrow. Padua students are challenged through rigorous academics, including more than 60 electives and 21 Advanced Placement courses, while discovering their passions in STEM, engineering, health care, business, computer science, the arts, and the humanities. Small class sizes and individualized attention, combined with partnerships with businesses, universities, and community organizations, provide experiences that extend far beyond the classroom. These opportunities help students connect what they learn in the classroom to the world around them while building the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed after graduation. September/October 2026

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What distinguishes a Padua education, however, is that success is measured by more than academic achievement. With more than 50 clubs and activities, student leadership opportunities, global education experiences, and successful athletic traditions, students are encouraged to discover their passions while growing as leaders. Guided by our Catholic faith, they learn that leadership begins with integrity, compassion, and service to others. As Padua looks ahead, this new leadership model represents more than organizational growth; it reflects a promise to future generations of students: to continue investing in exceptional faculty, innovative programs, meaningful partnerships, and a faith-filled community where young women are empowered to discover their purpose and become leaders in whatever path they choose. At Padua Academy, investing in the future begins with investing in our students. The creation of the Office of the President ensures the school will continue providing transformational opportunities, preparing young women not only for college and careers, but for lives of leadership, service, and lasting impact. n

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Education & Upskilling

Starting in Today’s Classrooms

Seaford School District is building Delaware’s future workforce through educator development, career pathways, and community partnerships BY DR. SHARON DIGIROLAMO WESTERN SUSSEX COUNTY is experiencing significant growth, bringing new families, new businesses, and new opportunities to the region. As our community evolves, Seaford School District is preparing both today’s students and employees to meet the workforce needs of tomorrow. We recognize that workforce development begins long before students enter the job market, and it starts with investing in people at every stage. One of our most impactful workforce initiatives starts with our own team. Through Seaford School District’s Grow Your Own initiative, our 40

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human resources department supports paraprofessionals and other staff members who aspire to become certified educators. By helping employees pursue degrees and certifications through state-supported programs, we are cultivating a pipeline of highly qualified teachers who are already committed to our students, our mission, and our community. “At Seaford, we invest in our nest. We are intentional about developing our own talent by taking advantage of state-supported programs that help our employees grow into new roles and advance professionally,” explains September/October 2026

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Human Resources Director Jason Cameron. “When people have already built relationships within our district and understand our mission and purpose, they’re well-positioned to take the next step in their careers. That makes for a smoother transition, stronger leadership, and ultimately a better experience for our students and community.” Investing in our employees not only strengthens our district but also addresses the growing demand for qualified educators across Delaware. By creating clear pathways for professional growth, we are developing leaders from within while ensuring continuity for our students and schools. Preparing students for the future requires the same intentional approach. Seaford High School’s Career and Technical Education program equips students with hands-on experiences, industry-recognized skills, and valuable partnerships that expose them to a wide range of career opportunities before graduation. “Seaford Senior High School is fortunate to have a strong Career Technical Education program. We have strong partnerships with local businesses, such as the Delaware Department Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and Outdoors Delmarva, as well as Delaware Technical Community College. Our students are graduating with a strong understanding of the various tracks they can enter post-graduation.” shares Seaford High School Principal Susan Harrison. These partnerships allow students to apply classroom learning in authentic DELAWARE BUSINESS

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September/October 2026

settings while providing employers with opportunities to help shape the future workforce. Our commitment to career readiness extends beyond traditional classrooms. Through our Special Schools Program at the secondary level, students participate in work-based learning experiences and internships with community partners. In partnership with the Department of Vocational Resources, students gain valuable workplace skills through internships at our local hospital, food service establishments, and other area businesses. These experiences build confidence, foster independence, and prepare students for meaningful employment while demonstrating the value of an inclusive workforce. At Seaford School District, we believe workforce development is a shared responsibility. By partnering with higher education, local businesses, and community organizations while investing in both our employees and our students, we are helping ensure that Delaware has the skilled, adaptable workforce needed for tomorrow’s economy. When education and industry work together, the entire community benefits. n

Dr. Sharon DiGirolamo is the superintendent of the Seaford School District.

8/24/26 3:46 PM

Health & Wellness

Training Here. Staying Here.

Building rural Delaware’s future physicians and a stronger health care system BY DAVID A. TAM, MD, MBA, FACHE FEW INVESTMENTS will have a greater impact on Delaware’s future than the decision to establish the state’s first medical school. Our state is growing rapidly, particularly in rural Sussex County, where more families, retirees, and working professionals are choosing to call our communities home. At the same time, health care organizations across Delaware face rising demand for care and a limited supply of health care professionals to provide it. Health care workforce shortages affect more than hospitals and medical practices. They influence economic growth, business recruitment, educational opportunity, and the overall health of our communities. The Delaware Medical School Consortium represents a once-ina-generation opportunity to address those challenges. This historic partnership brings together Thomas Jefferson University, the State of 42

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Delaware, ChristianaCare, Nemours Children’s Health, Bayhealth, Beebe Healthcare, La Red, and other stakeholders with a shared vision: creating a medical education pathway that is rooted in Delaware and designed to serve Delaware. For too long, Delaware has been one of the few states without its own medical school. Many talented students have built their path through the DIMER program, while many others have pursued medical education elsewhere. Too few ultimately return home to practice, especially in the rural areas of the state. The new medical school creates an opportunity to change that equation by building a pipeline of physicians who learn, train, and establish roots in the communities that need them most, including students who are from here and want to serve here. September/October 2026

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BEEBE’S ROLE IN TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION

TRAIN HERE. STAY HERE.

At Beebe Healthcare, our participation in the Delaware Medical School Consortium is rooted in our service to the community and our belief that the future of health care depends on the people we invest in today. As the health care provider serving Sussex County’s rapidly growing population, we see firsthand the workforce challenges facing our region. We are in the rural heart of Delaware. Demand for physicians and other clinicians continues to increase as our community grows, ages, and requires more complex care. Competition for health care talent exists across every region of the country. That reality is why Beebe has made workforce development a strategic priority. Over the past several years, we have expanded graduate medical education programs, increased clinical training opportunities, grown our award-winning School of Nursing, strengthened partnerships with colleges and universities, and created new pathways for students interested in health care careers. Our involvement in the Delaware Medical School Consortium is a natural extension of that work. As a clinical education partner, Beebe will help provide the real-world training experiences that transform students into practicing physicians. Future medical students will learn alongside our physicians, nurses, and care teams while caring for patients throughout Sussex County. They will see what it means to practice medicine in growing rural and coastal communities, and they will build the professional and personal connections that are essential to retaining talent long term.

This is the promise of building medical education in Delaware. When future physicians learn in our communities, care for our patients, and build roots here, they are more likely to remain here and serve Delaware for years to come. At Beebe, we are already seeing that promise in action. This summer, our Family Medicine Residency graduated its first class, and all four physicians have committed to continue serving patients at Beebe and in Sussex County. More than 110 years ago, Drs. James and Richard Beebe left rural Lewes to attend Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, then returned home to care for their community. Today, through the Delaware Medical School Consortium and our partnership with Thomas Jefferson University, Delaware has the opportunity to create that same pathway closer to home, helping future physicians train here, stay here, and serve here. n

David A. Tam, MD, MBA, FACHE, is the president and CEO of Beebe Healthcare and a member of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.

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Health & Wellness

Nourishing Delaware

How food, health, and business thrive together BY TIM VESSEL A HEALTHY WORKFORCE and a thriving community are

INVESTING IN A HEALTHIER DELAWARE

built upon the foundation of good nutrition. This is not just a wellness ideal, but also a strategic imperative with tangible impacts on business success, health care costs, and the overall well-being of our state. The link between food and health can often be viewed narrowly, relegated to personal choice rather than a critical social determinant of health. While our state has much to boast about, many of our neighbors struggle with food insecurity. Estimates from Feeding America indicate that one in eight Delaware adults and one in six children face hunger. This challenge is not merely economic — it is a health crisis impacting productivity, academic performance, and health care utilization. When individuals lack consistent access to healthy food, they are more susceptible to chronic conditions, poorer disease management, and less resilience to illness. This issue has direct implications for Delaware businesses. A workforce grappling with food insecurity and its associated health challenges is less productive, experiences higher rates of absenteeism, and contributes to escalating health care expenses for employers. This mirrors national trends, with nearly 48 million Americans experiencing food insecurity in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These numbers represent parents skipping meals so their children can eat and seniors stretching fixed incomes, highlighting barriers that a clinical visit alone cannot solve.

At Highmark, we actively address this challenge through a multilayered approach that encompasses philanthropy, managed care investment, and innovation funding. Our Health Equity Fund specifically addresses disparities affecting Medicaid members and vulnerable populations by removing barriers to care and supporting culturally responsive programs. This fund contributes to efforts such as the Food Bank of Delaware and Ready, Set, Food, which collaboratively serve 2,000 households and distribute over 200,000 pounds of food annually. Complementing this, our BluePrints for the Community grant program has invested more than $900,000 over the last five years in multifaceted initiatives designed to improve food access, promote healthy eating, and integrate food support with health care. These funds have powered programs like West End Neighborhood House’s Bright Spot Farm, growing pesticidefree produce for low-income families in Wilmington, and supported the Food Bank of Delaware’s Mobile Pantry Program, which co-locates with mobile health care units to reach underserved communities. We’ve also invested in educational efforts such as Sussex Montessori School’s Growing Minds, Growing Bodies program and Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids, which use school gardens to teach healthy eating and weave in math and science

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Opposite page: Highmark’s BluePrints for the Community has invested in food initiatives that support health since its inception in 2008. Here, a Meals on Wheels participant receives a meal delivery and wellness check. In 2018, BluePrints recipient La Red Health Center partnered with the Modern Maturity Center in Kent County to train volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers to observe and report the health and living conditions of seniors receiving meals as part of a continuum of care designed to support participants’ well-being.

concepts. These are just a few examples of how BluePrints for the Community improves access to nutritious food through direct distribution, mobile solutions, and capacity building, often combining food assistance with other critical services like housing and mental health support. Built into support for our Medicaid members, Highmark Health Options’ Postpartum Nutrition Benefit provides 12 weeks of meals, fresh produce, and essential supplies to new mothers during a period of heightened food insecurity. Furthermore, members with diabetes and food insecurity receive 14 days of nutritious meals after hospitalization through our Post-Discharge Meal Delivery program, aiding recovery and preventing readmissions. These services are often paired with practical nutrition education, empowering individuals to make healthier food choices long-term. Highmark also launched its (un)Hungry initiative last year, a multistate movement to raise awareness and mobilize communities during the holiday season when need often increases. Aggregating key resources across our footprint, the initiative drives individuals to one place — unhungry.org, to help communities access and donate nutritious food. Highmark employees will again partner with regional food banks this winter and live out the reminder that hunger is solved through connection, not isolation.

A HEALTHIER WORKFORCE, A STRONGER ECONOMY

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DELAWARE

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The connection between access to healthy food, healthy eating habits, and a healthier, more productive workforce is undeniable. Employees with stable access to nutritious food are more likely to demonstrate improved concentration and productivity and experience less absenteeism, as better health management means fewer sick days — whether for themselves or their family members. Ultimately, healthier employees contribute to reduced health care costs, benefiting both employees and employers through fewer doctor visits, hospitalizations, and chronic disease management expenses. Employees who feel supported in their overall well-being are also more likely to be meaningfully engaged with their employers and team members. A healthier community fosters a stronger economy, which, in turn, supports a more vibrant Delaware in which to live, work, and do business. n

Tim Vessel is the president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.

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AVAILABLE ON:

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Health & Wellness

Transforming Rural Health BY SECRETARY CHRISTEN LINKE YOUNG AND NEIL HOCKSTEIN, M.D.

THERE IS A QUIET COST to a healthcare system that doesn’t always work. It’s the parent who has to take an entire day off work because the only available specialist appointment is two hours away. It’s waiting months to see a primary care physician close to home, only to end up in the emergency department because your condition worsened while you waited. It’s a family driving repeatedly for cancer treatments because those services aren’t available nearby. And sometimes, it’s the person who simply gives up, deciding that getting care is too complicated, too expensive, or too disruptive to their life. For rural Delawareans, the problems are even more acute. Too many families in Kent and Sussex counties confront these realities every day, and as leaders at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, we are committed to changing that. In December 2025, Gov. Matt Meyer’s administration was awarded a $157 million federal grant to transform health and health care in rural Delaware, and we are preparing to receive more than $700 million over the program’s five-year duration. We are using the funds to drive ambitious and long-lasting change. First, we are building Delaware’s first medical school. No health care system can succeed without enough clinicians. Rural communities have long struggled to recruit physicians, nurses, behavioral health providers, dentists, and other professionals. Through Delaware’s first medical school and expanded training opportunities for a range of health professions, we are creating a pipeline of providers who train here, build relationships here, and remain here. Aspiring physicians who commit to practicing in rural Delaware can attend medical school tuition-free, which will help ensure that today’s students become tomorrow’s trusted local caregivers. Second, we must bring care closer to where people live. Health care should fit into people’s lives. By expanding school-based health centers, creating telehealth access points in libraries, deploying mobile health units, and investing in community health hubs, we can reduce unnecessary travel, improve access, and meet people where they are. Earlier care means healthier patients and fewer avoidable emergencies. Third, we must shift from treating illness to promoting health. Chronic diseases, particularly diabetes and cardiovascular disease, account for much of Delaware’s illness and health care spending. Better outcomes require more than office visits. Remote patient monitoring, nutrition initiatives — including Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay’s Food is Medicine efforts — and investments in two new Hope Centers to address rural homelessness recognize that health is shaped by daily life, not just by 46

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what happens inside a clinic. By addressing the social and environmental factors that influence health alongside high-quality medical care, we can help people stay healthier, avoid preventable complications, and reduce costs for patients and the health care system alike. Fourth, building the health care system of the future: Our health care system needs to be more efficient. We are creating a first-in-the-nation network to make prior authorization simpler and faster. But making changes around the edges isn’t enough. Delaware needs a rapid evolution in how we pay for health care services so the health care ecosystem works together to deliver the best care at the lowest price. Rural health funds will help us to drive those incentives into health care payment systems by ensuring all providers are ready to better manage care. Taken together, these investments represent more than individual programs. They are a blueprint for a stronger, more resilient health care system that gives Delawareans timely access to high-quality care, regardless of where they live. For far too long, we have tolerated a system that leaves too many behind, with a shortage of rural health care workers and a fragmented system that becomes more expensive every year. Rural Delawareans have waited long enough. This future will not happen overnight, but for the first time, Delaware has the resources, the partnerships, and the vision to build it. n This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, as part of a financial assistance award totaling $157,394,963.86, with 100 percent of the funding provided by CMS and HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by CMS, HHS, or the U.S. government.

Christen Linke Young (left) is Delaware’s secretary of health and social services. Neil Hockstein, M.D., (right) serves as Delaware’s first surgeon general and chair of the Delaware Health Care Commission.

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We’ve helped millions of kids grow strong and healthy, with millions more still to come.

Since opening our doors in 1940, we’ve grown to be one of the preeminent children’s hospitals in the country, serving millions of kids along the way. As Delaware’s only children’s hospital, we provide care in more than 100 pediatric specialties and counting. Some may say it’s an amazing journey. We say, it’s just the beginning. Learn more at Nemours.org.

Here for Delaware’s Kids Since 1940

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Health & Wellness

The Infrastructure Behind Better Health Building the digital foundation for a healthier, more connected Delaware. BY ROBERT HARTMANN, MBA

HEALTH CARE has never been more advanced. And for many patients, it has never felt more complicated. A routine medical issue can mean logging into multiple patient portals, repeating the same medical history, tracking down test results, or carrying information from one provider to another. Too often, patients become the coordinators of their own care, bridging the gaps between disconnected systems. That administrative burden distracts from their health. It doesn’t have to be that way. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of helping lead ChristianaCare’s transition to Epic, a new health record system designed to make our patients’ care more coordinated, efficient, and connected. Once ChristianaCare makes that transition on Oct. 3, 2026, every major health system in Delaware will be on the same electronic health record platform. This milestone represents a new era of opportunity to build the digital infrastructure for a better-connected health care ecosystem in our state. Delaware’s size has always been one of our greatest strengths. We’re large enough to support world-class health care, yet small enough to create a truly connected health care community. With ChristianaCare’s transition to Epic, every major health system in Delaware will share the same digital foundation. Just as importantly, that foundation extends well beyond our state’s borders. Many leading health systems throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland also use Epic. Through Epic’s Care Everywhere feature, participating providers can securely access and share relevant patient information across Epic organizations. That connection allows health information to move with patients across participating systems. That same philosophy extends to MyChart, Epic’s patient portal. Through secure, 24/7 access, patients will have a simpler way to schedule appointments, review test results, request medication refills, and communicate with their care teams. They can handle those tasks on their own time, from a phone, tablet, or computer. Technology should remove the burden of navigating the health care system while giving people better access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. Patients should be able to participate in their health care without having to coordinate it. 48

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These benefits extend well beyond individual patients. Delaware employers have a direct stake in the health of our communities. They experience the effects of fragmented health care through rising medical costs, lost productivity, and time away from work. A more connected health care system won’t solve every challenge overnight, but making care easier to navigate, reducing unnecessary duplication, and improving coordination can create healthier employees, healthier organizations, and, ultimately, a stronger Delaware economy. Looking further ahead, I believe this investment positions Delaware for something even bigger. Health care is entering an extraordinary era driven by advances in artificial intelligence, genomics, and biotechnology. Together, these fields hold the promise of more personalized, predictive, and precise care. Their success depends on something less glamorous: trusted, connected clinical data. Epic provides that foundation. At ChristianaCare, adoption will be deliberate and governed. Predictive models will help clinicians assess risks such as sepsis, clinical deterioration, and falls. Generative AI can help summarize charts or draft responses to patient messages. Clinicians will review that information, apply their judgment, and remain responsible for decisions and communication. Privacy and security will guide how each capability is adopted and used. Years from now, I hope the technology behind Delawareans’ health care recedes into the background. They should notice that accessing care feels easier, their providers are better connected, and they spend less time navigating the health care system and more time living healthy lives. When that happens, we will have achieved something really special: innovation and technology that make the human connections of health care better and stronger — and ultimately make our community healthier. n Robert Hartmann, MBA, is the vice president of electronic health record transformation at ChristianaCare.

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WE’RE THE HEART OF SECOND CHANCES. The Bayhealth Heart & Vascular Institute is a comprehensive cardiovascular center of excellence located in the heart of our region. This is where you’ll find a team of great minds with an incredible commitment to helping your heart last a long, healthy lifetime. To know more about all the ways we help prevent and treat heart disease visit Bayhealth.org/HVI. To learn more, or make an appointment call 302-310-8484. Scan and Learn

Our Commitment Runs Deep | Bayhealth.org/HVI DELAWARE BUSINESS

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Missed us on social? Here are some recent highlights from people talking about the Delaware State Chamber online... @Delaware State Chamber of Commerce @DelawareStateChamber

@DEStateChamber

ICYMI IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

TwoHensStudio: At your request… the recent @destatechamber cover art is now available in the Two Hens store as a print!

Melissa Brayman: Yesterday, Harvest Ridge Winery hosted our Delaware State Chamber of Commerce staff for an informative tour of its operations in Marydel. State Rep. Sean Lynn of Dover and his team joined us as well. Alexis Nunan gave us an awesome tour and a great sampling of their wines! ... I was surprised by the scale of their operations in Marydel. What a great visit. Thanks for hosting us! Center for Accelerating Financial Equity (CAFE): We did it!! This morning was an exciting milestone for Delaware’s financial services ecosystem. CAFE had the opportunity to join Gov. Meyer and Sen. Mantzavinos as Delaware officially advanced a landmark package of financial modernization legislation, including the Banking Modernization Act, the Payment Stablecoins Act, and the Electronic Money Transmission Act. ... Thanks to all our industry and government partners who were part of this work: Phil Goldfeder of the American Fintech Council; Karyn Polak and David Mench of the DE Bankers Association; Albert Shields of the University of DE; Lisa Collison of the State of Delaware; Daniel McCarthy and John Chartrand of Del-One Federal Credit Union; John Bratsakis, CUDE, of the MDDC Credit Union Association; Nicholas M. and Kevin Myers; Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez of the DE Department of State; John Collins of Barclays; Kelly Basile, IOM, of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce; and everyone in the governor’s office. 50

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15% of the proceeds from every print are donated back to the Delaware State Chamber Foundation. The Committee of 100: It was a great discussion on Tuesday at the AI-focused panel hosted by Spur Impact Association, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, and The Committee of 100! A special thank you to the panelists: moderator Kelly Basile, IOM (Delaware State Chamber of Commerce); Jon Bell (First State AI Institute); Patrick Callahan (Delaware AI Commission); and Joshua Berkow (Tech Council of Delaware) for sharing their expertise and perspectives on building an AI-ready workforce and preparing Delaware’s businesses and nonprofits for the future. Tapp Network: Ran into Robert Herrera this morning at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast at THE MILL in Seaford. Great to see the progress at the newest location of The Mill. Hard to believe it has been 10 years since Tapp moved into the original location in Wilmington! Good to see The Mill’s next chapter taking shape in Seaford. Congratulations to Rob and the team!

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Chamber Calendar WHAT’S NEXT?

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Networking Breakfast at Junior Achievement

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 Developing Delaware

Join us for a networking breakfast and tour of Junior Achievement of Delaware’s (JA) BizTown. Through experiential programs, JA helps students connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities and build the skills needed for future careers.

Delaware’s strong economic foundation, resilient workforce, and business-friendly environment have helped position the First State for success. But in an increasingly competitive environment, understanding Delaware’s strengths and opportunities is critical to sustaining growth and attracting investment. Join us as we evaluate Delaware’s competitive position, challenge our assumptions, and help the First State realize its potential.

FREE for Members

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Kiley Michulka at kmichulka@dscc.com to learn more.

$15 Future Member Admission

$75 Member Admission | $100 Future Member Admission

Join us at our next event! Fill up your calendar and see our upcoming events by scanning here:

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 Superstars in Business Awards Luncheon Join us in celebration of the Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business winners. Established in 1998, this award honors businesses and nonprofits for their outstanding achievements and model approaches to business and management. This year’s keynote speaker will be Chris Schell, founder of Schell Brothers, one of the nation’s largest private homebuilders. $100 Member Admission | $135 Future Member Admission Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Kiley Michulka at kmichulka@dscc.com to learn more.

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All events on the DSCC calendar are subject to change.

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Newsbites IncNow Celebrates 50th Anniversary

IncNow has announced it is celebrating 50 years as the Delaware registered agent for 20,000 businesses worldwide. Over the past five decades, the company has helped form Delaware LLCs, series LLCs, and corporations, while supporting its clients and the broader community. “It’s one thing to promote our 50 years in business putting people first as the Delaware registered agent for 20,000 customers; it’s entirely another to have a third-party audit certify that,” said David L. Williams, president of IncNow, a Certified B Corporation. Founded 50 years ago by Delaware’s first tax lawyer, David N. Williams, Esq., IncNow was built on trust and word-of-mouth referrals to meet his law firm’s need for a registered agent that could also provide companies with ownership and management agreements. Delaware registered agents serve as the in-state recipients of legal notices for businesses around the world that form Delaware LLCs, partnerships, corporations, and other entities to take advantage of the state’s renowned corporate laws. Today, IncNow is owned by David Williams’ three adult children — David Jr., Elisabeth, and John L. Williams, Esq. The Williams siblings are award-winning entrepreneurs who continue the family’s 50-year legacy of supporting their community.

TidalHealth Recognized for Rural Heart Attack Care TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Del., has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease Rural Recognition Silver award for its commitment to providing rapid, research-based care for people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), considered more severe and life-threatening than other types of heart attacks. Each year, more than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. About 30% of ACS cases are classified as STEMI, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.

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recognized for consistently providing patients with the care, guidance, and medical therapy they need to have the best possible chance of survival.”

Gov. Meyer Launches Innovate Delaware With DPP “When someone experiences a STEMI heart attack, American Heart Association guidelines call for specific actions to be performed in the hospital in a consistent and timely manner to prevent further myocardial damage and to save lives,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, co-author of the American Heart Association’s presidential advisory on rural health. “Where you live should not determine if you live, and rural communities deserve high-quality cardiac care. TidalHealth Nanticoke is being

Gov. Matt Meyer recently joined the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) to announce Innovate Delaware, a new statewide initiative that will serve as a central hub for supporting innovators and better connecting them to existing partners and opportunities throughout Delaware. Housed within DPP, Innovate Delaware will broaden the state’s appeal to local startups, attract emerging companies from beyond the region, particularly those in financial technology, nextgeneration chemical products, clean energy, sustainable advanced materials,

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and biopharma manufacturing, and enrich Delaware’s business environment for companies developing impactful and scalable advancements. The Innovate Delaware program will focus on four integrated programmatic pillars: pipeline development, capital attraction, corporate connection, and international soft landing. It will include two foundational infrastructure elements: a relationship network architecture and a digital “front door” platform. Innovate Delaware’s first major project will be to run the Delaware Rural Health Challenge. The challenge is a reverse-pitch, multistage health technology accelerator program designed to define specific gaps and barriers to delivering care in rural, medically underserved, and health professional shortage areas and to select innovative health technology companies to deploy novel solutions that address these issues. “Delaware has all the ingredients to lead in innovation,” Gov. Matt Meyer said. “We have world-class research institutions, talented entrepreneurs, and a prime, central location. Now we have the infrastructure to turn great ideas into great companies. Innovate Delaware will attract investment and create goodpaying jobs to win the future for every Delawarean.”

DCCE Leaders Host First Delaware Civics Bee

On June 12, 2026, the Delaware Center for Civics Education (DCCE) hosted the inaugural Delaware Civics Bee at Legislative Hall in Dover, where 17 middle school students from across the state competed in the state finals of the National Civics Bee, an initiative launched by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2022 to promote civic knowledge and engagement. Students first advanced to the competition by submitting essays proposing civic solutions to issues in their communities. The state finals featured two rounds of civics questions, with the top five competitors advancing to a final round to deliver speeches based on their essays and answer questions from a panel of judges. The judges included Ed Freel, senior fellow at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), Kelly Sherretz, IPA lead policy scientist, and Kerri Welcher, director of the Delaware State Chamber Foundation. The 2026 Delaware Civics Bee winners were Tab Wang of Henry B. duPont Middle School, who won $1,000 and will represent Delaware at the National Civics Bee, Ayushi Ghosh of Alfred G. Waters Middle School, who earned $500, and Kayla Kozak of Newark Charter Junior High School, who received $250.

TABS Apprentices Earn Lead RRP Certification Tanya Associated Business Services (TABS) is proud to announce that the carpenter apprentices in its “Building Blocks with TABS™” registered apprenticeship program have officially

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passed the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) exam. TABS is currently finalizing their certification with the Delaware Division of Public Health. This achievement is a major milestone

for the program’s first cohort of 10 17-year-old students from Howard High School of Technology. These apprentices are now the first youth in Delaware under age 18 to reach this

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Newsbites professional level. RRP certification is an EPA-mandated requirement for anyone working on residential properties built before 1978 when lead-based paint may be disturbed. As Delaware increases its focus on housing safety through new legislation such as HS 2 for HB 70, this certification ensures that the apprentices are both legally compliant and technically proficient from day one.

“We are incredibly proud of these students for their dedication to these critical safety standards,” says Tanya Williamson, founder and managing director of TABS. “This certification is more than just a credential; it is a cornerstone of their professional foundation and a vital asset as we build safe, sustainable housing for families across New Castle County.”

$5 Million in State Arts Grants Heads to All Three Counties Whether you live in a city, a small town, or a rural stretch of Sussex County, the arts should be something you can engage with. That is the idea behind the Delaware Division of the Arts’ first round of FY2027 grants: $5,055,797 to support 127 grants to arts and community organizations that bring performances, classes, and exhibitions to communities across the state. “A state that values creativity attracts people, jobs, and opportunity, and the arts support thousands of jobs, draw visitors to our towns, and make this a place where people and businesses want to put down roots,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “Because these grants reach every county, that opportunity belongs to all of Delaware. When we support the arts, we build a stronger state.” This year, three organizations — the Nanticoke Indian Association, Imperial Dynasty Arts Program, and Resolution Steel Orchestra — will join the Division’s StartUp program for arts organizations that are new to the Division’s portfolio of grantees. Designed to strengthen arts nonprofits, the program provides financial support, board development training, and technical assistance to help participants operate sustainably and prepare for future eligibility for General Operating Support, Education Resource, or Arts Stabilization grants. StartUp organizations must demonstrate a clear artistic mission, a stable governing board, and a track record of at least two years of public programming.

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Edward Devenny Named Board Chair of the Delaware Society of CPAs Whisman Giordano & Associates LLC announced that Edward Devenny, CPA, a director with the firm, has been named board chair of the Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants, beginning a one-year term leading the organization. A member of the DSCPA for more than 20 years, Devenny previously served in key leadership roles, including treasurer and chair-elect, before assuming the society’s top volunteer leadership position. He steps into the role at a pivotal time for the organization following the retirement of its longtime executive director after 29 years of service. “I’m honored to serve as Board Chair and excited for the opportunity ahead,” Devenny said. “The Society has a strong foundation, and I look forward to building on its success while continuing to support Delaware’s CPA community.” “Ed has been an active, respected member of this organization for more than 20 years, and as a fellow member, Edward Devenny, I couldn’t be more CPA confident in his ability to lead it,” said Lisa DeRose, CPA, CGMA, managing director. “He brings the experience and the judgment that will benefit the accounting profession in Delaware.” WGA said Devenny’s appointment reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to professional excellence, industry leadership, and community involvement, as well as its mission of “Building Extraordinary Relationships.”

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Cross River AI Summit Prepares Students for the Future Cross River, the Center for Accelerating Financial Equity (CAFE), and Launchpad Philly came together at the University of Delaware over the summer for an artificial intelligence summit focused on expanding AI education and career preparedness for students in underserved communities. Students participated in group coaching workshops and interactive Q&A sessions centered on entrepreneurship, AI adoption, and the skills needed to navigate a rapidly evolving technology landscape. They also heard from innovators and industry leaders about the responsible use of automation and opportunities for careers at the intersection of technology and financial services. Delaware Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos attended the summit and heard directly from students about their experiences. A panel on responsible AI adoption in the financial sector featured Melissa Kreuger, head of financial crime risk management at Cross River; Leible Melamed, chief information security officer at Cross River; and Lindsay Hamlin, senior director of transformation at Best Egg. Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council, moderated the discussion, which focused on the use of AI in security, compliance, and risk management. Sunita Chandrasekaran, director of the University of Delaware’s First State AI Institute and associate professor of computer and information sciences, also discussed how the university is incorporating AI into education and innovation. Ryan Venderlic, head of programs at CAFE, led a session on entrepreneurship, giving students insight into how founders launch businesses and navigate the challenges of building a company.

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September/October 2026

DEMEC Celebrates Delaware’s First Floating Solar Facility

The Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, alongside the Town of Middletown, celebrated the opening of Delaware’s first floating solar facility, marking a milestone in the state’s energy landscape. Federal, state, and local officials joined DEMEC board members, utility leaders, project partners, and community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony recognizing the completion of the 3-megawatt project. The facility includes more than 5,000 solar panels spanning 6 acres of a 14-acre wastewater treatment pond. The project is the first floating solar installation in Delaware and one of the five largest floating solar facilities on the East Coast. It is designed to diversify local energy resources, strengthen reliability, and provide long-term value for customers. “This project demonstrates what is possible when public power communities can innovate through local decision-making,” said Kimberly Schlichting, DEMEC president and CEO. “The DEMEC/Middletown Floating Solar Facility is an example of how we can deliver meaningful value to our members and their customers while expanding the diverse energy resources needed to serve customers today and into the future.”

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CONNECT WITH US 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 or email. Michael J. Quaranta President

Kelly Basile Chief Operating Officer (302) 576-6564 kbasile@dscc.com

Danielle Blake Vice President, Member Engagement (302) 576-6571 dblake@dscc.com

Melissa Brayman Director, Administration & Finance (302) 576-6572 mbrayman@dscc.com

Regina Donato Director, Communications (302) 576-6567 rdonato@dscc.com

Damon Howard Manager, Digital & Print Advertising (302) 576-6579 dhoward@dscc.com

Kiley Michulka Events Manager (302) 576-6575 kmichulka@dscc.com

Evan Park Vice President, Government Relations (302) 576-6590 epark@dscc.com

Amanda Schimmel Manager, Marketing & Strategic Programs (302) 576-6560 aschimmel@dscc.com

Kerri Welcher Director, Delaware State Chamber Foundation (302) 576-6566 kwelcher@dscc.com

Tori Will Manager, Administrative & Member Support (302) 576-6576 twill@dscc.com

(302) 576-6585 mquaranta@dscc.com

DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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1201 N. Orange Street, P.O. Box 671 Wilmington, DE 19899-0671 (302) 655-7221 www.dscc.com

Facebook: DelawareStateChamber X: DEStateChamber Linkedin: Delaware State Chamber of Commerce YouTube: DEStateChamber Instagram: DEStateChamber

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting an economic climate that strengthens the competitiveness of Delaware businesses and benefits citizens of the state. Founded in 1837 as the Wilmington Board of Trade, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce has a long history as the largest, most influential business organization in the state. The State Chamber is uniquely positioned to bring parties together to solve problems, create jobs, promote business, and improve the quality of life for all Delawareans.

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New Castle County Vocational Technical School District Educating Our State’s Future Workforce Cooperative employment opportunities during senior year Authetic work-based learning 41 in-demand career areas Industryrecognized credentials Credits toward apprenticeships and/or college Robust offerings for adult learners

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