Newsbites

Doneene Damon Named Chief Diversity Director at Richards, Layton & Finger

Doneene Keemer Damon, immediate past president and a director of Richards, Layton & Finger, was named the law firm’s Chief Diversity Director. In her new role, Doneene will focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, including through the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the Diversity and Inclusion Network, the Women’s Initiative, and the Wellness Initiative.

Doneene Keemer Damon

“Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been at Richards, Layton & Finger from the start,” said Richards Layton President Lisa Schmidt. “As chief diversity director, Doneene will continue to focus on broadening and deepening our DE&I strategy.”

Blue Blaze Associates Continues to Grow

Blue Blaze Associates, a full-service strategic marketing and creative design agency, announced the addition of four new team members to their award-winning company. Following years of steady and consistent growth, the talents of these new hires are strengthening Blue Blaze’s interdisciplinary bench.

Amy Hicks, senior marketing strategist, will be responsible for creative direction, public relations, and advertising for several clients in different industry verticals.

Sharon Pastore joins Blue Blaze as a senior marketing strategist, responsible for managing communications of senior living clients as well as brand strategy for start-ups and growing businesses.

Colin Heffinger, marketing coordinator / research specialist, will be working on projects for multiple clients. He will also be leading the process to enhance Blue Blaze’s reputation and external communications through the development of social media, website, and blog content.

Andrew Sharp, content writer / editor, will be responsible for managing, developing, and editing newsletter content for senior living communities and other clients of Blue Blaze.

“In today’s competitive job market, we feel fortunate to have successfully recruited four extremely talented professionals to expand our team,” said the co-owners, CEO Sandy Taccone and Chief Strategy Officer Wendy Scott. “Scaling up our capacity is allowing us to seamlessly respond to the needs of our growing roster of clients across a variety of industry verticals.”

Nickle Electrical VP Named ABC Chairman

Vice President of Operations Jeromy Newton was sworn in as chairman for the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Delaware Chapter. ABC is a national construction industry trade association found ed on the merit shop philosophy The organization helps its members “win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitability for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work.”

Jeromy Newton

“I’m extremely passionate about the merit shop philosophy and the standards ABC upholds,” Newton said. “I look forward to working with all our committees and our members to make 2023 a very productive year for our companies and our organization.”

Some of Newton’s initiatives as chairman will include membership growth, continued development with the organization’s young professionals group, bringing back the Craft Championship, further meetings with legislators to promote the merit philosophy and free enterprise, and more.

Emory Hill Co-Founder Robert H. Hill Retires

NAI Emory Hill announced that Robert (Bob) H. Hill retired from his longstanding role as pres ident and partner. Bob Hill has more than 45 years of service to the commercial real estate indus try. Hill joined Clay Emory in 1981 to establish Emory Hill & Company and founded Emory Hill Real Estate Services, Inc. in 1983. Bob served as president of Emory Hill & Company and vice president of Emory Hill Real Estate Services, Inc. Emory Hill has built and developed over 15 million square feet in four mid-Atlantic states and has grown to be one of the largest and most reputable full-service commercial real estate firms in the region.

Robert H. Hill

Bob will remain a general partner in all Emory Hill partnerships and will maintain an office at the Emory Hill headquarters in New Castle. Neil Kilian, director of brokerage, and Clayton Hill, director of property management, will succeed Hill and join Carmen J. Facciolo, Jr. as partners of the firm.

TidalHealth Cardiology Team Expands in Seaford

TidalHealth welcomed Rajiv Dhawan, MD, MRCP to TidalHealth Cardiology in Seaford, Del. He specializes in interventional cardiology.

Dr. Dhawan is board-certified in general cardiology, interventional cardiology, echocardiography and vascular medicine. He is an affiliate to the American College of Cardiology and a diplomat to the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Dhawan is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association and the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) in the United Kingdom.

Rajiv Dhawan, MD, MRCP

Slice Communications Acquires GillespieHall

The acquisition of GillespieHall by Slice Communications, a leading Philadelphia-based agency, was announced in January. The news was shared by Cassandra Bailey, CEO of Slice Communications who founded Slice in 2008, and Bridget Paverd, founding partner of GillespieHall.

Started in 2006 by Bridget Paverd, GillespieHall (GH) has built a reputation as one of the leading public relations agencies in Delaware and represents several statewide nonprofits, govern- ment offices, corporations, and interests across the United States.

With the acquisition of GH, Slice vigorously expands the firm’s bandwidth in public relations, crisis communications, media training, executive communications, and creative design. The new integrated agency will serve more than 40 clients, and with 100% staff retention, employs 25. Bailey and Paverd note that both their agencies offer similar services and have strongly aligned values, making the acquisition less complicated than most.

“For the past few years, I have been working on a transition plan that ensured GH’s work and legacy continue,” says Paverd. “We knew that we had the talent to create something special with a partner that could help facilitate growth and success.” Paverd said that she had always been impressed with Cass Bailey’s passion for PR and Slice’s quality of work. She also recognized that Cass was a published author, and Slice had a penchant for social media marketing—a passion of GH’s.

BPG|360 Receives Fitwel Certification

BPG|360, the commercial property management division of the Buccini/Pollin Group, announced that it achieved Fitwel® Certification for the Brandywine (1000 N. West St.), Nemours (1007 N. Orange St.), and WSFS (500 Delaware Ave.) buildings in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Fitwel is the world’s leading certification system for buildings and communities that optimize projects to support health. Administered by the Center for Active Design (CFAD), Fitwel assesses projects across 12 categories that improve occupant health and productivity.

The Brandywine, Nemours, and WSFS buildings all received scores above 90 points, earning them a Star 1 rating (96.95, 93.60, and 94.02 respectively). The Brandywine, Nemours, and WSFS building are also the first Fitwel rated properties located in the state of Delaware.

“BPG|360 has been focused on our tenant’s wellness long before the COVID19 pandemic. The operational protocols, cleaning guidelines, and tenant programming we have implemented over the years have now been validated through the Fitwel Certification process, and our team couldn’t be more deserving of this recognition,” said Ralph Rossi, senior vice president of commercial operations. “With that said, this does not mark the end of efforts. The Fitwel Star rating is a simply a baseline for us to continue to improve and make the office as welcoming and healthy as it has ever been.”

Maillie Moves to New Location

Maillie LLP recently moved its Delaware office to a new location within New Castle, Del. The new office provides prominent visibility, ample parking, easy access to Interstate 95, and a welcoming environment for employees and clients. “We are delighted to upgrade our Delaware office. Creating inviting spaces that meet the changing needs of our clients and staff is a top priority for Maillie LLP,” said Laurie Harvey, managing partner of Maillie LLP. “Maillie LLP is dedicated to delivering a seamless transition for employees and clients. We look forward to continuing service from our new location.”

The updated physical address for the New Castle Maillie LLP office is 32 Reads Way, New Castle, DE, 19720.

New Board Members at Delaware Safety Council

Delaware Safety Council announced two new board members voted in at the January 2023 board meeting: Brandon Brice and John Campanella, SHRM-SCP.

Brandon serves as vice president of college advancement and community

relations for Cecil College. He began his career as a staffer working on Capitol Hill in the Office of former United States Speaker J. Dennis Hastert. He would then serve as deputy director of education and African American affairs in the Office of the New Jersey Gover nor.

John is a human resources and law enforcement professional with a proven ability to impact complex business challenges and deliver solutions and results. John retired after 32 years from the Delaware State Police at the rank of Captain. He served the last four years as the director of human resources.

Ground Breaks on the Chemours STEM Hub

The Chemours Company and EastSide Charter School broke ground at Eastside Charter School on a new 24,000 square foot community STEM facility–the Chemours STEM Hub at EastSide Charter School. The new Hub will serve as a premier access point for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and other development opportunities in the Wilmington community. Made possible in part by a $4 million grant Chemours made in 2021 through its ChemFEST school partnership program, the Chemours STEM Hub will offer public spaces for learning and improve access for more students from more backgrounds to be exposed to, excited by, and interested in STEM.

“Shaping the world’s future through the power of our chemistry requires great innovators and problem solvers from all backgrounds. And ensuring we have a robust pipeline of future STEM talent requires strategic investments to nurture students and members of communities who have been underserved, under-resourced, and often overlooked,” said Mark Newman, president and CEO at Chemours.

Easterseals Welcomes VP of Development

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore recently welcomed Cheryl Corn as vice president of development.

Cheryl Corn

“I am very pleased to join the team at Easterseals and be a part of celebrating 75 years of serving the community in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This is an exciting time for the organization as we carry the legacy forward and continue to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities,” Corn said. “I am honored to play a role in this incred ible organization celebrating a monumental milestone.”