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August 5, 2025 | Vol. 12 • No. 15 | $4.00 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com

What B usiness Delawa es need to k n re Hisp anic co ow about the mmuni ty 10-1 1

NEW MOVES:

GREEN LIGHT:

MEGA MERGE:

Meyer's budget rethinks econ programs

Del-One FCU steps closer to Louviers merger

ChristianaCare floats Virtua Health partnership

LEAN IN:

In the C-Suite:

Capital One looks at existing

Delaware Ag.

southern partnerships

Secretary talks about

growing up on the farm and the sector’s future

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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.

22 DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES / AUGUST 5, 2025

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AT A GLANCE Founded 2014, printed bimonthly, serving Delaware’s business community Vol. 12, No. 15 dated August 5, 2025 Copyright © 2025 by Today Media, all rights reserved This newspaper or its trademarks may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invent without written permission from the Publisher. For licensing, reprints, e-prints, plaques, e-mail Advertising@delawarebusinesstimes.com.

GROUP PUBLISHER Michael Reath mreath@todaymediainc.com EDITOR Katie Tabeling ktabeling@delawarebusinesstimes.com

Delaware is home to a vast population from across the country and around the world. Immigrants make signiﬁcant contributions to the state’s economy and workforce. According to a 2020 report by the American Immigration Council, one in 11 Delaware residents is an immigrant, and one in 11 is a U.S.-born citizen with at least one immigrant parent. Immigrants make up one in eight workers in the state, playing a vital role in the labor market. Notably, they account for about 26% of those employed in computer and mathematical ﬁelds, as well as nearly a quarter of workers in the agriculture industry.

1 in 11

jantonik@delawarebusinesstimes.com

Delawareans is an immigrant

RESEARCH, DIGITAL, AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR Sabrina Gonzalez sgonzalez@delawarebusinesstimes.com

15% of

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jennifer Antonik

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER EMERITUS Charlie Tomlinson DIGITAL SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Karen Martinelli kmartinelli@todaymediainc.com

11% of

immigrants were from Mexico

10% of

immigrants were from Guatemala

immigrants were from India

LEAD DIGITAL STRATEGIST Mike Rocheleau mrocheleau@todaymediainc.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Lisa Minto lminto@delawarebusinesstimes.com MULTIMEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Al Woolfolk

workers 1 in 8 Delaware is an immigrant

MARKETING DIRECTOR Kate Schlegel MARKETING MANAGER Andrea Hill

26%

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Eric Bolis

24%

of immigrants work in computer and mathematical roles

ART DIRECTOR Natalie Newhart SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Rosalinda Rocco GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kyle Manzolillo

of immigrants work in agricultural roles

SENIOR AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Lisa P. Bennett DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY Greg Mathias

Source: American Immigration Council 2020

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INDEX

ON THE COVER

Industry Updates................................... 4-8 Special Section: Sussex County..............9-11 The List................................................... 13 News Briefs............................................ 14 Business Leads....................................... 15 People on the Move................................. 16 Calendar................................................. 17

Kevin Andrade, the President and CEO of The Voice Radio Network, is dedicated to getting the word out to Delaware's Hispanic community through two Spanish radio stations in the state. DBT PHOTO BY KATIE TABELING

Editor's View........................................... 18 In The C-Suite......................................... 19

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AUGUST 5, 2025 / DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES 3

GOVERNMENT

EDGE grants focus on Delaware’s economy By Katie Tabeling DOVER — Keeping true to most of Gov. Matt Meyer’s focus points for economic development, Delaware’s Fiscal Year 2026 bond bill included many of the hallmark funds to support big and small businesses as well as new programs. Inside the $977 million bond bill is thousands of major capital and infrastructure projects, but there are various funds the state uses to support startups, attract new businesses and retain existing ones through grants. This year, Meyer announced his administration would work to find ways to support startups and entrepreneurs, and that would include restructuring how the Strategic Fund, one of the key economic tools, would work. The Strategic Fund is most known for dispersing taxpayer-backed grants for companies to come to Delaware, with major wins such as a $30.2 million grant for Merck & Company’s pharmaceutical campus. But it is also used to provide grants for longtime

companies to buy a piece of equipment or to expand their existing footprint. the Strategic Fund received $5 million in the bond bill– but $3 million will be allocated for the Encouraging, Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) program. Meyer has said he does not believe in incentives for major companies, Last year, the Strategic Fund was allocated $9.5 million, and there could be funds unspent from the last fiscal year. The DPP, which serves as the

concierge for potential and existing businesses, started the year waiting to adapt to Meyer’s new economic vision. Kurt Foreman, DPP CEO, told the Delaware Business Times in February that success was not automatic and a different strategy would have different outcomes, depending on the desired industry sectors. In a statement to the DBT in mid-July, the DPP said the state chooses the path ahead, and it aligns its office with those choices and updates the approach based on “what the state provides us.” “No matter the targets or the tools, though, our primary goal remains to promote statewide prosperity by encouraging investment and job growth in Delaware,” the statement read.

Gov. Matt Meyer, right, had made it his aim to support small businesses in the state, such as through doubling the amount for the EDGE grant program. l DBT FILE PHOTO BY KATIE TABELING

UD, DSU see millions in Delaware state bond bill By Katie Tabeling DOVER — Two of Delaware’s top universities received millions in state funds for two critical projects that representatives hope will be high-profile additions to their respective campuses. When Governor Matt Meyer signed the Fiscal Year 2026 bond bill into law, he authorized spending $977 million in major capital and infrastructure projects. Those projects are funded through bonds, or debt securities issued to help fund infrastructure projects that impact residents of the state. The entire bond bill is 12% less than it was the previous year. With the governor’s budget serves as a proposal, the General Assembly can enact any budget they want, within constitutional and statutory structures. Some restrictions in the budget

42 DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES / AUGUST 5, 2025

include the 98% rule, limiting annual appropriations to 98% of estimated revenues and the unassigned funding in the general fund balance; the “rainy day” reserve fund that requires 5% of the general fund be set aside for emergencies; and the budget stabilization fund that can smooth one-time issues. The bond bill traditionally includes millions to address maintenance and construction needs at Delaware’s three public

BY THE NUMBERS

$20 million in state funds for UD Biden Hall

$20 million in state funds for DSU field house

institutions and this year was no exception. University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical Community College were each granted $30 million for general maintenance needs. But specific language in the bond bill allows UD to use $20 million from its share for Biden Hall. Likewise, DSU was also permitted to use $20 million of its allocation for an indoor field house, the first of its kind for the university. DSU will use part of the state’s funding for design and construction of an indoor field house at its main campus. Plans are still in the early stages, but it aims to be a 90,500 square-foot facility with turf and at least 30 offices, as well as locker and conference rooms, as of right now. The $20 million allocated does not cover the entire cost for the field house. DSU Athletic Director Tony Tucker estimated the university would need to fundraise another $10 to $15 million to cover the costs.

EDGE now offers more funding By Katie Tabeling

WILMINGTON — The Delaware Division of Small Business has dramatically reimagined its small business grant program with the expanded funds granted in the state budget this year and even removed the automatic limit on grant amounts. Since 2019, the Encouraging Development, Growth, and Expansion (EDGE) Grant is a competitive program offered by the division to support small businesses with two paths for entrepreneurs and STEM-based ventures. But now under EDGE 2.0, there’s more flexibility in the grant funding - and more in-kind services, memberships to key state organizations and networking opportunities. “The beauty of this is we’re going to allow our judges [on the final applicants] have the flexibility to award funding to the applicants. Everybody’s pitch, application and company progress will not be the same,” Division of Small Business Director CJ Bell told the Delaware Business Times. “This dynamic funding model empowers that.” With more funding allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026 spending plan, EDGE Grant could now award $1.15 million each funding round — twice the amount it was awarded. The EDGE 2.0 cohort will receive a complimentary membership for a year to a trade organization as well as future access to a peer support group and future networking and educational events. For more information on how to apply to the EDGE Grant program, visit business.delaware. gov/edge.

SMALL BUSINESS

Local entrepreneur teaches youth business By Katie Tabeling WILMINGTON — Ondre Gipson describes himself as a true hustler from his days of selling branded T-shirts to teaching entrepreneurial and life skills today. He’s adopted “the hustle” into his brand: True Hustler Worldwide. Gipson knows there can be a negative connotation with the word, but he prefers the core definition of working hard to get where you want to be in life. “We really believe that’s where the division comes in most communities, whether you’re Black, white, rich, poor. The person on top of the hill got there through their hard work, their hustle, and those at the bottom have to hustle to get where they want to be,” Gipson said. Today, Gipson and his team at True Hustler University, including

assistants and contractors, offer sixweek classes for Delaware students to cover vocational skills, such as cosmetology and culinary arts, as well as heat press productions. There are also some courses that include other entrepreneurial skills like how to establish a brand and market it, securing funding and creating a business plan. The curriculum can be adjusted for high school students, but the organization typically works with grades 6 to 8. All instruction is focused on entrepreneurship with the end goal of exposing students to opportunities they may not have found in their day-to-day life. Most of the time, the kids can leave the class with something they made. By the end of the sixth week, a student should be able to make a basic dish or

In the last decade, Ondre Gipson has gone from branding T-shirts to creating an apparel line to launching an entrepreneurship program to graduating with an MBA. | DBT PHOTO BY KATIE TABELING

work the heat press independently.

for its school of entrepreneurship.

He knows it can work. After all, it

It has also worked with the Teen

did for Gipson. Today, True Hustler Worldwide

Warehouse and the Center for Structural Equity as well. The

has contracts with United Way

company started contracting with

of Delaware and West End

the Christiana School District at the

Neighborhood House in Wilmington

tail end of 2023.

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AUGUST 5, 2025 / DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES 5 (410) 421-7777

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BANKING

Louviers, Del-One continue merger process By Jennifer Antonik DOVER – Just a few months after announcing merger plans, Del-One and Louviers Federal Credit Unions are one step closer to finalizing the deal. Del-One announced this week that that the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) approved the application for the merger between the two entities, spurring the next course of action: a vote by the members of Louviers Federal Credit Union. Del-One Vice President of Marketing Amy Resh said that once Louviers members vote to approve the process, the merger will continue on to closing in the fall of this year. “Like Louviers, Del-One does not just serve Delaware, it is of Delaware and is committed to the long-term

financial fitness of our community,” Del-One President and CEO Dan McCarthy said in a press release. “We could not be more excited by the possibilities ahead and believe this merger could bring incredible growth, innovation and shared success for our teammates, members and community.” McCarthy and Louviers CEO Chris Davis previously told the Delaware Business Times that the merger would act as a combination of likeminded organizations. While both are poised for continued success on their own, working together through a merger would afford both groups new opportunities for their clients, members and employees alike. All told, Del-One has around 80,000 members right now through 12

Del-One Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Dover, and Louviers Federal Credit Union have announced intentions to merge and are now waiting on approvals from both the NCOA and their members. l DBT PHOTO BY JENNIFER ANTONIK

branches statewide, while Louviers has around 16,000 members in its four New Castle County branches. The merger would boost combined assets to $940 million. “By combining the two credit unions, we will be able to strengthen our current markets and expand more throughout Delaware, namely a

Capital One plans big “[There’s a lot of] understanding the presence in southern Del. relationships and the By Katie Tabeling WILMINGTON — While Capital One plans to leverage Discover Bank’s 60 million cardholders across the nation in its merger, it is also strengthening its presence in southern Delaware once the dust settles on the $35 billion acquisition. Two months after receiving approval from U.S. bank regulators to acquire Greenwoodheadquartered Discover, Capital One Delaware Market Leader Joe Westcott told business leaders that the banking giant will start to seek ways to become a key partner in Kent and Sussex Joe Westcott County. Its $265 billion national community investment plan will be critical to that plan which Westcott indicated would bring products and nonprofit funding opportunities to new heights, including millions to

62 DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES / AUGUST 5, 2025

Delaware alone. Before, Capital One was able to commit to $2 million per year for community investment in the First State. Now, that will look like $7 million per year, or $35 million in five years. “There’s a lot to look forward to and there’s a lot of opportunities,” he said during the State of the County event on July 15. Capital One has long roots in northern Delaware, dating back to when it acquired ING Direct, a retail bank stationed at the Wilmington Riverfront, in 2012. Seven years later, the financial giant donated a building to the WRK Group. That gift turned into the Teen Warehouse, a community service center that is designed for teens and by teens. In 2021, Capital One also donated its former Riverfront offices to Delaware State University to become a hub for its graduate, adult and continuing education programs. In a later interview with the Delaware Business Times, Wescott

commitments that each legacy organization made ...and building a plan for how we make the investments.” JOE WESTCOTT

Delaware Market Leader, Capital One

said he envisions Capital One would lean on the existing relationships in Discover Bank to understand its place in the southern end of Delaware. “Our focus has been New Castle County, because that’s where we’ve been headquartered. Discover does a lot of investment in Kent and Sussex County, and there’s places where we don't have established relationships. We need to understand that, so that’s part of our work right now,” he said. Capital One is already working to navigate the network of southern Delaware. In April, the financial services company hosted an artificial intelligence pitch competition that brought 600

larger footprint in New Castle County. Together, we will be able to provide better services, more products, competitive teammate benefits, and better growth opportunities by having more budget dollars to devote to the credit union and ultimately our membership,” McCarthy told DBT in a previous interview. people to Delaware State University, from various Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Capital One offered $225,000 in prizes for student entrepreneurs. Wescott said that not only was that event a way to work with a longstanding partner like DSU, but it was also the company’s first splash in Kent and Sussex. “Obviously, we see ourselves as a technology company that does banking right. The idea of AI and innovation to the core is what our day to day is here. Tying that into agriculture, our team felt like it was a great kind of mixture,” he said, acknowledging that DSU has a topnotch agriscience program. He also described the merger still in the first inning, with the real work of integrating Discover Bank into Capital One starting now. “[There’s a lot of] understanding the relationships and the commitments that each legacy organization has in this market and building a plan for how we make the investments,” he told DBT. “The community benefits plan is important to Delaware, but it’s much bigger than that. It has tentacles in our core lending business, how we show up for our customers and in our markets.”

HEALTHCARE

ChristianaCare partners with CHOP to grow pediatric care By Jennifer Antonik WILMINGTON – As ChristianaCare looks to expand its offerings in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Delaware-based nonprofit health care system is also looking at unique ways to serve its youngest patients. A new affiliation with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) will help ease the burden as leaders look to improve services for their current younger population, according to ChristianaCare Chief Medical Officer and President of its Medical Group Dr. Kert Anzilotti. The collaboration is expected to begin in the spring of 2026. While it will help enhance services through ChristianaCare, new facilities of any kind specific to this partnership have not yet been announced. “[The affiliation] will enhance access to specialized pediatric care

by bringing CHOP’s renowned expertise closer to home for families in the communities ChristianaCare serves in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” Anzilotti DBT. He added that the new affiliation will start with a focus on pediatric and neonatal services while working to improve care delivery at ChristianaCare facilities where pediatric emergency and inpatient clients are cared for already, making advanced pediatric treatments available to patients in all of its communities. “Patients at ChristianaCare will have access to CHOP’s expertise in rare and complex diseases and a wide range of newborn and pediatric services, including surgery, cardiology, neurology, radiology, ophthalmology and genetics, as well as educational and research opportunities. As the

“Patients at ChristianaCare will have access to CHOP’s expertise in rare and complex diseases and a wide range of newborn and pediatric services...” DR. KERT ANZILOTTI

Chief Medical Officer & President, ChristianaCare

collaboration grows, it will explore further opportunities to expand pediatric care and improve the efficiency of health care delivery in the region,” he added. While its unclear at this early stage if there will be staff added to either organization as a result of this new affiliation, reductions in staffing are

not anticipated at this time. “This affiliation between ChristianaCare and CHOP represents a dramatic increase in access to world-class pediatric care for communities in Del., Md., southeast Pa. and southern N.J.,” Anzilotti said. Over the past several years, ChristianaCare has announced several efforts at growth, including new facilities in southeastern Pennsylvania and an awarded bid for the shuttered facilities previously owned by Crozer Health. The organization also took over multiple urgent care centers across the state. While CHOP’s main facility is anchored in West Philadelphia the children’s organization also has a satellite inpatient campus in the King of Prussia which is just over the Del. and Pa. border and near the ChristianaCare hospital in Wilmington. The affiliation will help the pair expand pediatric services in neighboring Pennsylvanian counties with the opening of ChristianaCare’s new facilities in West Grove and Aston.

ChristianaCare, Virtua Health consider merger By Jennifer Antonik WILMINGTON – A merger that could bring in $6 billion in revenue might on the horizon for Delawarebased ChristianaCare and New Jersey-based Virtua Health after the pair announced a signed non-binding letter of intent for a possible new regional health care system. The announcement brings into focus ChristianaCare’s plans for an aggressive expansion in the Del., Pa., N.J. and Md. region. Earlier this year, ChristianaCare announced an $865 million investment in the next three years, though details were scarce at the time. Virtua Health is reported to be South Jersey’s largest health care system with several locations between Pennsylvania and Delaware. The potential merger between the two would allow for seamless health care services between ten contiguous counties spanning the four states

through more than 600 sites and with the help of almost 30,000 employees while supporting more than 500 residents and fellows, according to a press release from ChristianaCare. The merger would also bring the collective revenue for the new cofounded regional not-for-profit health care system to more than $6 billion, the combined revenue of both groups in 2024, as reported by Biz Journals and according to DBT’s records. Last year alone, Virtua brought in $3.2 billion in revenue with $195 million in operating income last year while ChristianaCare reported $3.08 billion in revenue and $126.2 million in operating revenue. Both health care systems have made significant brick-andmortar expansions in recent years. ChristianaCare has opened two new primary care offices in Sussex County and acquired and opened a host of facilities across Delaware’s

ChristianaCare and Virtua Health are considering a merger that could generate $6 billion in revenue. l PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTIANACARE

northern border in Pennsylvania.

according to the Philadelphia

Last year, ChristianaCare also took

Business Journal.

over multiple urgent care facilities

Those new projects include a

throughout Delaware following the

$500 million expansion project at

closure of MedExpress

Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

ChristianaCare was also awarded

in Camden, N.J. to add a six-story

bids for five Crozer Health locations in

patient tower at the tertiary care

Pa., coming to a whopping $50.3 million

center; a $350 million project to

in total.

bring refurbished hospital units,;

In N.J., Virtua Health had outlined

an expanded emergency room and

$1 billion in upcoming construction-

10 new operating rooms, labs and

based investments, including $850

medical suites to Virtua Mount Holly

million in renovation projects,

in Burlington County. AUGUST 5, 2025 / DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES 7

SPECIAL SECTION: SUSSEX COUNTY

Longtime Sussex econ director Pfaff retires By Jennifer Antonik GEORGETOWN – William “Bill” Pfaff has been one of Sussex County’s loudest cheerleaders as its economic director, but lately he has been preparing for a quieter role – retirement. His last day was July 31. He told the Delaware Business Times that the lifetime he has spent supporting entrepreneurs as they focus on business development has been a blessing and one that he’s been grateful to call his over the years – roughly about 40 years, in fact. Pfaff took his first job in his teenage years as a lifeguard at a community pool, eventually working his way up the ranks to pool manager as he got his own taste of leadership before earning a degree in business administration from York College. He also served as the director of the University of Delaware’s Small Business Development Center, working with business owners in Kent and Sussex Counties and owned

his own small business for 12 years in Sussex County. Pfaff held positions at John Hopkins University, the Peabody Conservatory and the Navy Annex at the U.S. Pentagon. “The people I surrounded myself with were also driven and I think that’s really key today in life. The people you surround yourself with really make you who you are,” Pfaff said. “I think that’s really the key to success for anyone when you’re building a business or building an organization, you surround yourself with individuals that have assets that you don’t have. At the end of the day, those assets make you a stronger organization.” Like his own career, he’s witnessed the people around him, especially those in Sussex County, continue to grow through new ideas filling void after void in the community. “Every day is a new day, that’s why it’s a joy to come to work every day,” he said proudly, reminiscing on businesses he’s had the opportunity

Sussex County Economic Development Director Bill Pfaff retired after eight years of service in the county and establishing many new programs that attracted hundreds of jobs to the state. l DBT PHOTO BY KATIE TABELING

to help guide over the years, such as Dogfish Head and the Rehoboth Board and Kite Company. As economic director, he called his role somewhat of an activator, just one step in a science project preparing for success. “In economic development, we’re like the catalyst, the piece of the science project that pushes that business forward and allows them to

really visualize their idea. At the end of the day, it’s not about us or myself as the economic provider. It’s about the individual,” he said. “I really feel like the one thing I’m good at is really understanding the individuals. You have to be a good listener in economic development. You have to understand what you want it to be and then work backwards and see how you can accomplish that.

Georgetown-based ag business seeks to expand By Jennifer Antonik GEORGETOWN – A Sussex County business two decades in the making is hoping to expand its efforts with the help of new warehouse space. Douglas Wade, owner of BreezeA-Bella Land Group, as well as Freedom Farms and DIY Tool Supply, presented an expansion plan to the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission in July that would not only increase the capacity of his businesses, but the number of employees, as well. Ultimately, Breeze-A-Bella Land Group hopes to bring a total of seven warehouses ranging between just over 7,000 square feet to almost 10,000 square feet to its location at 22318 Cedar Lane in Georgetown. The move would support the relocation of other sites rented between the three businesses, including one at Governor Stockley Rd. and several at an industrial center along Route 9.

82 DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES / AUGUST 5, 2025

BY THE NUMBERS

Warehouses expanding

7,000 -10,000 square-foot range for each warehouse

“We have basically struggled to find enough space in Georgetown to accommodate our growing business,” Wade told Planning and Zoning Commissioners during a meeting on July 2. But the lack of space hasn’t deterred the company from continuing its Georgetown-based legacy, he added, expressing hopes for continued success through the additional warehouse space which would directly impact the other two businesses, Freedom Farms and DIY Tool Supply. Each company has its own unique niche. DIY Tool Supply is

known for its tool sales, primarily via national platforms such as Amazon and Walmart, for example. Freedom Farms, however, is more agriculturally based, producing and packaging non-GMO seeds for local and national sales, as well as high quality hay. Wade’s companies have over 100 acres of hay fields in the Georgetown area. “Who knew we were sending hay all over the country,” Commissioner Holly Wingate said during the meeting. The businesses also include a significant amount of grass-fed cattle operations which support the creation of beef jerky and beef sticks, among other products. He added that many of the livestock are on the Cedar Lane property, which comes to just under 72 acres of land and primarily includes farmland and about 40 acres of forestry. They have more cattle along Hardscrabble Road and at Wade’s personal residence

on Pettyjohn Road, all of which will stay at their current locations. All told, the three companies employ a total of about 24 individuals with most working fulltime while receiving benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans and reimbursement for educational needs. As plans progress, Wade said the first phase of construction would include the entrance for the site, as well as an additional parking area, stormwater management and two of the proposed warehouses which will double the business’ capacity and immediately require additional employees. Phase two would include construction of additional warehouse buildings, setbacks, and buffers as required. The commission voted to defer action with the application listed for the Sussex County Council meeting scheduled for August 12. Wade could not be reached.

SPECIAL SECTION: SUSSEX COUNTY

Tourist season success mixes with slight decline By Jennifer Antonik REHOBOTH BEACH – Tourism numbers in Delaware are slightly down for the season, but industry leaders say that it’s by no means a slow summer at beaches in the First State. Occupancy rates published by the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce highlight a 2% decrease in weekend stays this year dated from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July weekend compared to last year, along with a 2.7% decrease in Wednesday stays. The data is a small sample of overall Delaware beach hotel occupancy rates and does not include rental homes and only reflects the hotels in Rehoboth and Dewey Beach. Despite the slight decline, Southern Delaware Tourism Executive Director Scott Thomas told the Delaware Business Times that Sussex County continues to be the driving

destination for millions of visitors each year as they head to their vacation spots in the heat of summer. “The five-star beaches are really our anchor here and that really separates us from our neighbors, the food and the tax-free shopping, that’s really what keeps people wanting to come back as far as our big drivers,” Thomas said. He added that although visitation is up at the beaches, the area as a whole has seen a slight plateau in overnight stays as people return to their normal schedules and budgets following the COVID-19 pandemic. The occupancy rates showcase the trends year over year and actually highlight a slight increase in travelers for the year, despite the slower summer season. For example, weekend overnight stays at local hotels came to 68,432 stays between January 1 and July 6 in 2025 versus 61,053 in the same time frame last year. Weekday stays, clocked

on Wednesday each week, came to 49,450 during that time frame this year and slightly less last year at 46,949. “If you look at the traffic counts and the overnight stays, they’re here,” retiring President and CEO Carol Everhart told DBT. As the hotels and local businesses handle the influx of travelers, staffing has to match the need, she added. But that’s become difficult as people have gotten used to working from home or as they struggle to find workforce

housing so they can support the local economy. “Where is workforce housing? It’s gotten so expensive and it’s become a real issue. So you might need 20 employees but are they 20 employees who can find workforce housing,” she asked. “That and there are simply some things you can’t do from home. You can’t clean or wait on tables from home. We need people in our businesses to accommodate the visitors.”

This year's tourist season saw about a 2% decline in visitors but leaders say they expect it to pick back up soon as the United States heads into its 250th anniversary celebrations. l PHOTO COURTSEY OF ADOBE STOCK

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AUGUST 5, 2025 / DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES 9

X SPECIAL SECTION: SUSSEX COUNTY

LOOKING FOR AN AUTHENTIC CONNECTION

HOW HISPANIC CONSUMERS ARE MAKING WAVES IN DELAWARE By Katie Tabeling In the early days of Hoy en Delaware, one of the oldest Spanish newspapers in the state that started out of an apartment in Georgetown, much of the advertisers were companies looking for workers. That was in 1996. In the years since, Hoy en Delaware Publisher Jose Somalo said the monthly publication that has thousands of followers online said the ads range from state agencies and various other goods. “More and more, they’re starting to see us as a buyer for their products, but not enough,” Somalo said, referring to companies that are looking to spend dollars on marketing. “The reality is that the purchasing power is growing tremendously, and they’re working hard.” Delaware’s Hispanic community has been rapidly growing, to the point where it’s 10.5% of the state’s population, according to U.S. Census Bureau. While there’s strong representation in Elsmere and Wilmington, Sussex County continues to be the stronghold for the Hispanic community with Georgetown alone holding 40% of the Hispanic population in the state. Some advocates believe in Delaware,

the Hispanic consumer spending power falls between $2.2 to $3.6 billion, based on data available from the Census and the National Center for Health Statistics that were discussed at a community meeting hosted by Hook PR & Marketing and The Voice Radio Network. But nationwide, Latino buying power was $3.8 trillion after taxes last year. There is disparity between the retirees that are moving to Sussex County in droves and studies and national studies that have found that 18% of Hispanic families live in poverty. But more businesses are being opened by Hispanic entrepreneurs, and they're growing at a faster rate than the state average, and a high concentration of them are in Sussex County. It's up to Delaware businesses to figure out how to tap into the rising market. In the 1990s, Hispanic residents moved to the Delmarva Peninsula to find work, primarily in the agriculture industry with a focus on poultry. But 30 years later, they now also work in the county’s booming tourism industry and other service businesses. Like their parents before them, many Hispanic people are starting their own businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 7.6% of businesses in Delaware are run by

102 DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES / AUGUST 5, 2025

Radio is one most popular media platforms for the Hispanic community, Nielsen reports placing it at 40 million listeners monthly. Delaware's own Maxima 95.3 FM is one of those networks, with coverage in Georgetown and Wilmington.l DBT PHOTO BY KATIE TABELING

Hispanic entrepreneurs. As the community continues to grow nationwide, so does its buying power, which now sits at $3.2 trillion, growing steadily year over year. Although there is no direct research on the Hispanic community’s spending power in Delaware, past reports indicate they pay $50 million in yearly taxes, according to a 2019 Delaware Community Foundation report. In those days, many of those who immigrated were single men looking for jobs, Somalo said. Today, those men have started families of their own and are shopping at the neighborhood grocery stores and visiting restaurants. “I always say we saw them coming to work initially, years ago, on a bicycle. Then it was a secondhand car. Now they’re buying new cars and properties,” Somalo said. “This is my gut feeling, from what I see going up and down the state for close to 30 years: the purchasing power of the average Hispanic in Delaware is probably getting closer – or larger – than the average person in Delaware,” he added. Delaware’s Hispanic community is incredibly diverse. Its residents vary by country of origin and culture, as well as

language and immigration status. The Wilmington area has a strong Puerto Rican community, while in Sussex County the Hispanic community includes first or second-generation Americans with roots in Guatemala and Mexico. Georgetown is the biggest hub for the Hispanic community with 40% residents there, and Seaford and Milford are close behind. Somalo came to the U.S. to complete a master’s degree in agricultural economics and wound up in Sussex County for a job that had a second shift with mostly Hispanics who had just arrived in the country. That was the spark for the first Spanish language newspaper out of Seaford that became what Hoy en Delaware is today. His vantage point allowed him to see how Sussex County’s relatively low land costs and property taxes created conditions not only for retirees but for Hispanic residents looking to purchase a home. “It’s a perfect wave of affordable housing, and in Sussex there’s a lot of unincorporated areas, so you only pay county taxes. The rate of our community is buying property, it’s amazing,” Somali said. “Even the people that work in the poultry industry are

X SPECIAL SECTION: SUSSEX COUNTY buying houses. I know people who are buying [the latest model cars], or are buying farms in Sussex.” Of non-English speaking households, about 53% speak Spanish, according to a 2025 report from La Esperanza and the Haitian Coalition of Delaware. That blend of nationalities across the state means that it’s not a one-size-fitsall approach through translating an English message into Spanish. In fact, even though the younger generation may be more comfortable speaking English, it’s more about the business being intentional and genuine to embrace Hispanic people as consumers. That means focusing on the customer versus the potential language barrier and creating a relaxed atmosphere. That can look like a big event like Sherwin Williams Commercial Paint Store of Georgetown hosting a Taco Tuesday to bring in painting companies to have a casual afternoon of fun, or as small as including a top Latin song playing in the background of a short video advertisement. Katy Castillo is a marketing consultant for La Plaza, a nonprofit that focuses on building capacity and opportunity for Hispanic businesses in Sussex. She is a firstgeneration Delawarean and lived in Frankford and Millsboro most of her childhood. She says there are many non-Hispanic businesses that focus on the customer's experience, depite a possible language barrier with some people, andit’s paid off. “There’s a mom and pop butcher shop in Dagsboro, which is one of the Mexican stores in the same area. It’s small and they speak Spanish - and they’re obviously not going to have a full-on conversation in Spanish. But they also have English and Spanish on the [display labels]. Little things like that matter,” she said. Radio is still considered king – as an advertising and information medium and as a cultural touchstone. It’s the centerpiece of any dance or family barbecue. Many listeners have a strong connection with the Spanish language, with 65% preferring to speak in Spanish, according to a 2024 Nielsen report on the topic. That same report found that podcasts, with or without video, are starting to take more of the market share, but that media buyers that invest more in AM/FM radio are seeing a greater reach than if they stick to television, streaming and

social media platforms. Those like Kevin Andrade see the best of both worlds. “Yesterday, I made a live video on social media for about four minutes, and it was fantastic. We have 20-, 30-second Facebook watches and that can get thousands of views,” said Andrade. “It all depends on the content because people are eager for it. If you have good content, they’re going to come back and start following. He’s the CEO of the Voice Radio Network, which reaches thousands of listeners through five radio stations, including Spanish station Maxima 95.3 FM. Maxima now serves Delaware, Philadelphia and parts of New Jersey. Andrade’s morning show can cover community needs like immigration enforcement. Recently, Maxima hosted a live broadcast at Parsons Farms in Dagsboro as a cross-promotion event for the farm’s U-Pick blueberries. “A lot of companies are doing a good job about it. But some that are sitting in an area highly populated with Latinos, they’re not looking for that opportunity to integrate into the market,” he said. “When companies have a big budget,

“ It's not one size fits all, just like any other business strategy. It's unquie to what your goals are.” PATRICIA RIVERA

Founder and CEO, Hook PR & Marketing

they have to say, ‘OK, we’re going to do this’ and create that audience.” As for those who leverage that following, Andrade noticed that if a company wants to start an aggressive marketing campaign, they’re likely to place ads in both his English- and Spanish-speaking stations. To truly market and see results, Delaware companies should work on a strategic plan that is authentic to what their brand is while also being culturally conscious. The Hispanic community is beyond just translating an English message at this stage, according to Delaware marketing veterans. Hook PR & Marketing CEO Patrica

The Voice Radio network hosted an economic analaysis on how Latino entreprenuers are shaping Delaware. Rob McCreary, the CEO of Amancer Counseling & Resource Center was one of the speakers in Wilmington. l PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA RIVERA

Riveria said she’s seen campaigns intended to recruit bilingual staff not succeed because the company did not have the capacity to hire more staff but pivoted to developing a marketing strategy for existing programs. That can look different across the cultures of a primarily Puerto Rican neighborhood to rural pockets of Sussex County. One example she pointed to was a successful effort she worked on with the Freeman Arts Pavilion to deepen its commitment to the Hispanic community through its programs. That resulted in “Locals Under the Lights: Latino Edition” that offers the chance for local musicians and performers at the Festival Hispano. “There used to be a day where people would think translating would be it, and the reality is, it’s not an effective strategy,” Rivera said. “It’s not one size fits all, just like any other business strategy. It’s unique to what your goals are. Accessibility levels for different communities vary, just like when you’re trying to talk to someone in the third grade to someone with a post doctorate education.” Marcella Saborio, who runs Qua Marketing, which has worked with several nonprofits and state commissions, also stressed the need to look at marketing for Hispanic and Latino peopleas relationshipbuilding rather than just a broad, blanket message. “Trust and gaining credibility are going to be the foremost, and that means it’s a long-term commitment. As a business that looks at sponsoring events like festivals or looking at churches that may offer galas,” she said. “Are you attending those events? Are you part of those boards? You must think of it like: how are you positioning what you’re selling in a way that benefits them?” It’s a challenge to get that mindset to flip when it comes to major agencies. Saborio had a client struggle to get Hispanic people to engage on an upcoming product through translated flyers and contacting nonLatino organizations. That started to change after the churches and local entrepreneurs were involved. “It’s still hard. Big agencies in this climate, there’s worries that people are [inadvertently] exposing themselves legally,” she said. “It takes time to develop that relationship and momentum, but at least a start will get them going.”

AUGUST 5, 2025 / DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES 11

122 DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES / AUGUST 5, 2025

THE LIST

SUSSEX COUNTY'S LARGEST EMPLOYERS

AT THE TOP

Ranked by No. County Employees RANK

COMPANY

CONTACT

NO. DEL. EMPLOYEES

DESCRIPTION

SENIOR EXECUTIVE(S)

FOUNDED

Mountaire Farms, Inc. 29292 John J. Williams Highway Millsboro, Del. 19966

(302) 934-1100 mountaire.com

4,800

Food Production

Amanda Irwin (President)

1914

Perdue Farms Inc. 255 N. Rehoboth Blvd. Milford, Del. 19963

(302) 424-2600 perduefarms.com

2,893

Food Production

Kevin Adams (CEO)

1920

Beebe Healthcare 424 Savannah Road Lewes, Del. 19958

(302) 645-3300 beebehealthcare.org

2,800

Healthcare

Dr. David Tam (President & CEO)

1916

TidalHealth Nanticoke 801 Middleford Road Seaford, Del. 19973

(302) 629-6611 mytidalhealth.org

1,600

Healthcare

Steven Leonard (President & CEO)

1945

Indian River School District 31 Hosier St. Selbyville, Del. 19975

(302) 436-1000 irsd.net

1,492

Education

Jay Owens (Superintendent)

1969

SoDel Concepts 220 Rehoboth Ave. Rehoboth Beach, Del. 19971

sodelconcepts.com

1,428

Foodservice

Scott Kammerer (President)

2004

Grotto Pizza 20376 Coastal Highway Rehoboth Beach, Del. 19971

(302) 227-3567 grottopizza.com

1,360

Foodservice

Jeffrey Gosnear (Vice President) Dominick Pulleri (Founder)

1960

Food Lion 30214 Sussex Highway Laurel, Del. 19956

(704) 633-8250 foodlion.com

1,200

Grocery Store

Greg Finchum (President)

1957

Cape Henlopen School District 1270 Kings Highway Lewes, Del. 19958

(302) 645-6686 capehenlopenschools.com

1,156

Education

Robert Fulton (Superintendent)

1969

Allen Harim 29984 Pinnacle Way Millsboro, Del. 19966

(302) 629-9136 allenharimllc.com

1,100

Food Production

Michael Little (CEO)

1919

Sussex County Government 2 The Circle Georgetown, Del. 19947

(302) 855-7700 sussexcountyde.gov

549

County Government

Todd Lawson (County Administrator)

1683

AMANDA IRWIN President Mountaire Farms, inc. Since 2025 Alma Mater: Clemson University & Wilmington University

$78,061

Median household income as of 2023 in Sussex County, per U.S. Census.

247,799

Sussex County total population in 2023, per State of Delaware.

Our upcoming lists include: Colleges and Universities (8/19)

Milford School District 906 Lakeview Ave. Milford, Del. 19963

(302) 422-1600 milfordschooldistrict.org

460

Education

Travis Moorman (Superintendent)

Accounting, Law, Insurance (9/2) 1899

Wealth Managers, Financial Advisors (9/16) Green/Environmental Companies (10/7)

Researched by: Delaware Business Times. Information for DBT's lists are either generated through public sources or supplied by individual organizations through questionnaires. We make every effort to confirm that the lists are comprehensive through industry sources.

If your organization should be on one or more of these lists email sgonzalez@delawarebusinesstimes.com

AUGUST 5, 2025 / DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES 13

NEWS BRIEFS For more coverage of these stories, visit DelawareBusinessTimes.com

Two downtown Milford businesses are expanding, including Stone and Sage next to June Bugs and a former Blooming Boutiques location. l DBT PHOTO BY JENNIFER ANTONIK

Dover Motor Speedway, known as the Monster Mile, is a historically challenging course for NASCAR drivers. l DBT PHOTO BY JENNIFER ANTONIK

Joseph Poppiti has returned to the Delaware Farm Bureau as its executive director. l PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DELAWARE FARM BUREAU

Port of Wilmington is seeing some leadership changes as Enstructure announced its regional president has left the company. l DBT PHOTO BY KATIE TABELING

Two Milford businesses expand footprints with services

Bet Rivers all in on marketing at Dover NASCAR race

Poppiti returns to Delaware Farm Bureau as executive director

Enstructure President Hogans departs Port Wilmington

MILFORD – Two downtown businesses along Milford’s Walnut Street, Red Bandana and Stone and Sage, say it’s the community that keeps them going and growing. Red Bandana now leases close to 6,000 square feet at 3 N. Walnut St., which includes another expansion into an adjacent shop, the old Good News Health Foods store, to accommodate stocked items and comics. Another expansion will be just behind their current building in what used to be an art studio. Just a few doors away, Stone and Sage is also expanding once again. The metaphysical store is owned by Cat Perfetti and it touts items for every realm of spirituality, as well as services such as tarot readings, reiki sessions and intuitive classes, to say the least.

DOVER — NASCAR fans flocked to Monster Mile at Dover Motor Speedway on July 19 and 20, and they didn't have to venture far to bet on the big race. Bet Rivers Sportsbook and Casino was a major sponsor of the July race, a year and a half after the First State launched mobile sports betting and after serving as the title sponsor for the 2024 race. At Dover Motor Speedway, Bet Rivers has sponsored a bar and arcade named “White Lightning.” Race fans who place a bet at the raceway also receive a deposit and bonus money. The company also hosted a VIP section at Dover Motor Speedway for all three races at the finish line. Bet Rivers CEO Richard Schwartz told DBT that he believes it’s essential to invest in the communities of partners such as the casinos and the state lottery.

142 DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES / AUGUST 5, 2025

CAMDEN – Joseph Poppiti has returned to the Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) as its new executive director, ready to continue the organization’s mission of education and advocacy while protecting farmers. DEFB’s previous lead, Don Clifton, was called on by Governor Matt Meyer to step up and become the First State’s new secretary of agriculture, a role he has embraced with open arms. Poppiti now lives in Pennsylvania along the Delaware border, but he grew up in Wilmington. As a lifelong farmer, he spent much of his life working on the family’s mushroom farm in Kennett Square, Pa. He originally joined the leadership ranks at Delaware Farm Bureau in 2018 as its executive director and stepped down in late 2021 prior to Clifton taking over the role.

WILMINGTON – Port of Wilmington operator Enstructure announced July 25 that Bayard Hogans, who was the president of the company’s Mid-Atlantic operations including Delaware, is no longer with the organization. “We thank Bayard for his contributions to Enstructure Mid-Atlantic and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” a joint statement from Enstructure CoCEOs Matthew Satnick and Philippe De Montigny read. “Enstructure is actively working to ensure a smooth transition and will continue to focus on delivering innovative supply chain solutions for our customers without interruption.” Hogans was brought on as the regional president for the company in October 2023. During his tenure, Hogans worked to embed himself in the community.

BUSINESS LEADS REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Source: Local Recorders of Deeds

NEW CASTLE CO. Douglas & Jane Calandra to National Residential Nominee Services; 190 Brecks Lane, Wilmington 19807; $1,650,000 National Residential Nominee Services to Ryan Welsh & Ashley Hostetter; 190 Brecks Lane, Wilmington 19807; $1,650,000 Eighth Street Warehouse to GRP 1300 8th; 1300 E Eighth St., Wilmington 19801; $1,550,000 John Sloniewski to William Thomey; 319 Sharpley Road, Wilmington 19803; $1,375,000 NVR, Inc. to Rakesh Pande & Rupali Thakre; 775 Rolling Oaks Way, Wilmington 19808; $1,284,550 NVR, Inc. to Ashish Deshpande & Amruta Joshi; 905 Sawgrass Court, Wilmington 19808; $1,257,750 Glen Allen Farm to Chrisopher Lester; 740 Dutch Neck Road, Middletown 19709; $1,250,000 HBC Land to Khalid Rahimi & Nargis Kaur; 402 Twinbrook Terrace, Middletown 19709; $1,091,950 K. Hovnanian at Pleasanton to Brijeshkumar & Vandita Patel; 866 Merlin Drive, Middletown 19709; $825,480 Par 1 to NVR, Inc.; 1151 Spyglass Hill Way, Wilmington 19808; $790,000 KENT CO. Jonathan & Jerusha Mast to Zayna Farm; 2159 Tower Road, Hartly 19953; $4,584,000 Burke & Burke Properties to Price Xtrememegraphix; 121 Xtremegraphix Lane, Milford 19963; $3,250,000 Coras Wellness and Behavioral Health to DL Behavioral; 1 East St., Harrington 19952; $2,906,000 Linda Mosher, Mary Brantley, Alice Greenly, & Donna Greenly to Convention Builders; 4042 Big Stone Beach Road, Milford 19963; $1,000,000 Frederick & Christine Gsell to Frika Gennusa & Benjamin Christie; 5045 Sandy Bend Road, Marydel 19964; $977,000 Behram Holdings to John, Jr. & Katie Menhart; 683 W Evens Road, Viola 19979; $600,000 SUSSEX CO. Robertson Family Properties to Ronald & Karen Jackson; 505 S Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach 19971; $5,700,000

Millrose Properties Delaware to US Home; 29356 Oxford Drive, Millsboro 19966; $3,239,264 Lesley Peer to John & Michelle Mele; 31269 Sandpiper Road, Bethany Beach 19930; $3,050,000 ABC Woodlands to Rudder Road; 25071 Banks Road, Millsboro 19966; $3,000,000 Brutto to Joseph Sr. & Krista Mclean; 5 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes 19958; $2,999,900 John Cronin to John & Ashely Avirett; 94 Tidewaters, Rehoboth Beach 19971; $2,725,000 Robert & Eileen Stroud to David Watson & Laura Harrington; 34884 Alda Lane, Bethany Beach 19930; $2,400,000 Steven & Steven Burka to 40101 E Oceanside Drive Unit 29, Barbara & Haley Gochnauer; 40101 E Oceanside Drive, Fenwick Island 19944; $2,200,000 Donald & Margaret Dzedzy to Timothy Mitchell; 29772 Seagrass Court, Dagsboro 19939; $2,199,000 Catchin' Rays to Gavin & Jennifer Hamilton; 118 Parkwood St., Bethany Beach 19930; $2,195,000 Nina Mickelsen to Cynthia & Scott Reeder; 16964 Black Marlin Circle, Lewes 19958; $1,975,000 Nathan & Christine Cook to Mark & Susan Sievers; 214 Midland Ave., Lewes 19958; $1,950,000 Kathryn Westwater to Mark & Jennifer Nikolich; 4 E Georgetown St., Fenwick Island 19944; $1,900,000 Chadd & Stephanie Ingram to Sean & Joan Turner; 41 N Atlantic Ave., Bethany Beach 19930; $1,850,000 Karen Valihura to Robert & Cheryl Fisher; 305 Mulberry St., Lewes 19958; $1,650,000 David Moneymaker to Michael & Ellen Buch; 18 Short Road, Bethany Beach 19930; $1,595,000

Delaware's Trusted Voice As the first and only public media news service founded in the First State, our dedication to high-quality journalism extends beyond our signal’s borders, bringing you the best in national news and programming alongside our locally-focused content. Discover More with Delaware Public Media Get tuned in:

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Green Bakery to Boys & Girls Club of Delaware; 20980 Dupont Blvd., Georgetown 19947; $1,500,000 John & Mary Hynes to Amato & Tana Stellato; 40058 Grant Drive, Fenwick Island 19944; $1,425,000 Andrew & Lyssa Asbill to Aaron & Kimberly Holl; 40058 Grant Drive, Fenwick Island 19944; $1,425,000 Peter & Mary Beaman to Bell Holdings; 28947 Lewes Georgetown Highway, Lewes 19958; $1,349,000 Karen & Kenneth Lais to James & Twyla Jacobsen; 22041 Seaport Square, Selbyville 19975; $1,300,000

Fishers Point to Fishers Point Investment; 29254 Revel Road, Millsboro 19966; $4,950,000

Thomas & Beverly Schryver to Jeffrey Reinhardt & Kate Barnhart; 40136 Salt Meadow Drive, Fenwick Island 19944; $1,260,000

Michael Barley to Julie & Charles Miller; 54 Eleanor Lee Lane, Rehoboth Beach 19971; $3,940,000

Robert & Jill Kerxton to Bradley & Donna Morse; 11238 Signature Blvd., Selbyville 19975; $1,200,000

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AUGUST 5, 2025 / DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES 15

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE People on the Move is a rundown of recent hirings, promotions, appointments and other notable movements by professionals in the state. If you’re interested in submitting an entry, please contact news@delawarebusinesstimes.com.

Governor Matt Meyer announced a strategic leadership transition within his Administration. Vanessa Phillips has assumed a new role as senior advisor. Misty Seemans, currently deputy Legal Counsel, has been elevated to chief of staff. Under Phillips’ stewardship, the Governor’s Office restarted interagency coordination to combat homelessness, opened the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and led the Administration’s crisis response efforts in the wake of unprecedented federal actions. Since joining the Administration, Seemans has performed legal analysis on multiple key issues and pieces of legislation, handled commutations and

immigration policies for the office, and worked on a range of legal issues from criminal justice reform to social justice efforts.

companies as well as subprime lenders and businesses in the retail and manufacturing sectors. Shandler is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully litigated cases in all of Delaware’s state and federal courts. His expertise encompasses a variety of practice areas, including complex financial and commercial litigation in the Delaware Superior Court’s Complex Litigation Division (CCLD) and Court of Chancery, trusts and estates litigation, trade secret litigation, and litigation concerning restrictive covenants.

Before working in the Office of the Governor, Seemans served as statewide Family Court Supervisor at the Delaware Office of Defense Services (Public Defender’s Office), where she handled multiple jury and bench trials, ranging from misdemeanors to capital murder. Richards, Layton & Finger announced that directors Michael Merchant and Chad Shandler have been named to leadership positions within the firm. Merchant has been appointed chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Department, and Shandler has been appointed chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. Throughout his 25-year career, Merchant has represented the full range of participants in bankruptcy cases and corporate restructurings. His clients encompass biopharmaceutical, bank holding, and telecommunication

of New Life Foundation Recovery Inc., where he led clinical and organizational initiatives supporting individuals and families impacted by addiction and behavioral health challenges. “Morgan’s deep clinical expertise, strong leadership background, and compassionate, evidence-based approach will help expand our role in addressing homelessness in Delaware,” Theresa DiFonzo, Board Chair at Sojourners Place, said.

Sojourners’ Place, a Wilmington-based nonprofit providing residential care, counseling, and training to homeless individuals, has announced the appointment of Morgan Ikonne as its new executive director.

Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A. (BLS), a public accounting and consulting firm headquartered in Delaware, celebrates Karly Laughlin, CPA, AEP®, for being named to Forbes’ inaugural list of America’s Best-InState CPAs.

Ikonne brings over 15 years of experience in community health care and human services to Sojourners’ Place, with a focus on substance abuse recovery, mental health care, and faith-based leadership. Most recently, he served as executive director

“I’m honored to be recognized by Forbes alongside such talented professionals,” Laughlin said. “I’ve been fortunate to build a career at BLS where I’ve had the opportunity to grow, lead, and give back—to clients, to our team, and to the community. This recognition reflects the support of those around me and the purpose I find in serving others.”

10 of our 40 –Class of 2025 Honorees

CELEBRATING 40 DYNAMIC LEADERS UNDER 40

12th Annual

Join us for an inspiring evening as we honor the region's best and brightest young professionals - all under the age of 40 - who are making a lasting impact through their intelligence, drive, and dedication to community. Be part of the excitement at this high-energy celebration of excellence, leadership, and the power of young professionals.

SEPTEMBER 24 | The Waterfall, Claymont, DE 3416 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703 DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES

TICKETS & INFORMATION DelawareBusinesstimes.com/events/dbt40

SPONSORS | Join our growing list of Sponsors, Contact your Account Representative or 302-656-1837 I Advertising@DelawareBusinessTimes.com GOLD SPONSOR

162 DELAWARE BUSINESS TIMES / AUGUST 5, 2025

BRONZE SPONSORS

BUSINESS CALENDAR Unless otherwise noted, webinar access details (including dial-in information) will be e-mailed to registrants. Dates and times subject to change.

Grants & Loans Fair SEPTEMBER 24 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM DBT40 Delaware Business Times 40 Under

AUGUST 26 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce Grand Opening

40 pays tribute to outstanding young

The DEBCC is hosting a celebration with food and drinks to cut the ribbon on the chamber’s new headquarters and incubator space. For more information, visit business.debcc.org/calendar.

community involvement. Each year

AUGUST 27 10:00 - 11:00 AM You Belong Here: Unlocking Confidence & Combating Imposter Syndrome as a Woman in Leadership Join Brenda K. Reynolds for a webinar to learn about what Imposter Syndrome really is—and why so many high-achieving women silently battle it. For more information, visit business.ncccc.com/events.

SEPTEMBER 9 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDx Talk: Building a FutureReady Workforce Join the next EDx Talk, where local and regional leaders will explore innovative, employer-driven strategies to close talent gaps, expand access to highquality training, and fuel economic momentum. Learn how workforce development is powering success across industries and positioning New Castle County and Delaware as national models for inclusive growth and economic resilience. For more information, visit business.ncccc.com/events.

SEPTEMBER 11 11:30 - 7:00 PM Habitat NCC’s Annual Golf Outing Spend a meaningful day on the green with Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County — enjoy a round of golf, connect with community and business leaders, and take part in a lively charity auction, all while supporting affordable housing initiatives for local families. For more information, visit habitatncc.org/give/2025-golf-outing.

professionals who are making a name for themselves through innovative ideas, business excellence, and this program recognizes 40 leaders under 40 years old who are bringing Delaware’s business community to new heights. For more information, visit delawarebusinesstimes.com/ events/dbt40.

OCTOBER 1 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 2025 Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition

October 2 The Cambria, 17222 Hood Road, Rehoboth Beach • 8 a.m. to noon

SCHEDULE

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

8:00 a.m. - Doors Open 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast / Registration

• Loans

• Pitching your business • Networking with Grant organizations and lenders

8:45 a.m. - Pitching your Business for Financing 9:30 a.m. - Preparing for Lending, Before and After the Loan

For tickets and information:

10:30 a.m. - Grants Fair. Networking to noon with Grant Organizations and Lenders Visit and speak one-on-one with representatives from Grant organizations and lenders that can help grow your business. HOSTED BY

delawarebusinesstimes.com/ events/sbdc