Newsbites Buccini/Pollin Group Appoints Chief Operating Officer
Wilmington-based developer the Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG) welcomed Ann Shepard Visalli to the position of chief operating officer. Visalli joins BPG with over 30 years of experience in budget, finance, and economic development. She had a successful 22-year career in Delaware state government, which included serving as the director of the Office of Management and Budget under former Governor Jack Markell. Most recently, Visalli served as the chief operating officer for St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware. Ann Shepard Visalli Although most known for its real estate investments, BPG is also a multifaceted operating company with various businesses in food and beverage, sports and entertainment, retail and parking, and commercial and residential property management. As chief operating officer, Visalli will be responsible for the oversight of financial operations for all BPG operating entities including budgeting and forecasting, long term financial planning, and strategy. She will also directly supervise human resources, information technology, risk management, marketing and, in conjunction with asset management, and commercial and residential operations and leasing. “Ann’s extensive experience as a strong, compassionate leader and her financial acumen will be critical in supporting BPG’s strategic growth. She will play an integral role in continuing to build a strong company culture across all divisions at BPG.” said Chris Buccini, co-president of the Buccini/Pollin Group.
Food Bank of Delaware Receives Grant The Food Bank of Delaware received a $20,000 grant from ACME Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program. The grant was provided as part of the company’s O Organics “Fight Hunger, Serve Hope” cause program to combat hunger during the summer months when households with school-aged children face higher rates of food insecurity. According to Feeding America, during the summer months, as many as 22 million children lose access to the free or reduced meal programs they rely on during the school year. For every customer purchase of the company’s private label O Organics
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product, the brand donated one meal to a child in need. The grant awarded to Food Bank of Delaware will enable the donation of 80,000 meals for local children through the weekend Backpack Program. “We’re excited to partner with ACME to make sure children in our community have access to nutritious foods over the weekend,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky. “Together with ACME, we’ll continue to tackle the ongoing food insecurity issues in our community.” The Food Bank’s Backpack Program provides food year-round to children in need for weekends and holidays when school is not in session and federal
school meal programs are not available. Backpacks are stocked with kid-friendly, nutritious food including shelf-stable milk and juice, meals such as macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs and beef stew, granola bars, apple sauce, cereal and more.
Sussex Family YMCA Welcomes New Hire The YMCA of Delaware recently welcomed LoriKay Paden as community vice president and executive director of the Sussex Family YMCA. In her role, LoriKay will lead the Sussex Family Y located on Church Street in Rehoboth and will also provide leadership support to the Dover YMCA. “The opportunity to join this incredible team excites me to no end,” said Paden. “To see the Y’s impact throughout the state is awe-inspiring. I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to help improve outcomes for our members and communities.”
Whisman Giordano & Associates Receives National Recognition Whisman Giordano and Associates, LLC (WGA) was ranked as one of the top 100 accounting firms to work for in the United States by Accounting Today Magazine. This is the second time in two years WGA has earned this recognition. The firm moved up nine spots on the list between 2022 and 2023. Lisa K. DeRose, chief operating officer, said, “We’re honored to win this award again because it’s a true reflection of the positive and caring environment we’ve created as a team. Our clients experience this firsthand because they can see and feel how we value them and their trust. It’s the importance that we place on our relationships with clients and each other that makes all the difference.”
November/December 2023
| DELAWARE BUSINESS
