DE222 Honoree: Michael Quaranta

Title: President

Michael Quaranta

Workplace: Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

Alma Maters: Minnesota State University, University of Minnesota, Georgetown University, Wilmington University

Boards: Delaware Workforce Development Board, Delaware Court on the Judiciary

Q&A: What’s something interesting about you that isn’t on your resume? “I’m a certified barbecue judge of the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) and I have taken hours and hours of professional barbecue lessons!”

As leader of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and most influential business association in the state, Michael Quaranta has the ability to help set public policy for thousands of state businesses, big or small. Taking the helm of the state chamber in 2018, Quaranta was a good fit, having served on the staff of what would become the Department of Homeland Security, managed operations for 30 states for a Fortune 500 company, lobbied with the Podesta Group, and served as chief of staff to then-U.S. Rep. Mike Castle for seven years. Today, Quaranta has the ear of major CEOs around the state, the governor and legislative leaders, and he’s pushed membership to new highs to extend the lobbying power of the chamber.