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.
President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Vanesa Soledad Simon as a member of the National Council on the Arts.
Simon is an entrepreneur and artist who has innovated ways to use the arts in health for herself and others. She is the founder and program director of Healing Through the Arts, which she piloted in 2017. This program works with an array of organizations to bring varied art modalities to communities facing health, environmental and historic traumas. It promotes the use of the arts in non-clinical ways to process stress for wellbeing and encourages participants to develop a creative practice in a supportive environment. Mariposa Arts, Simon’s company, utilizes strategic partnerships at the organizational, sponsor and community level with an entrepreneurial approach to community building that is human-centered and promotes belonging.
Simon holds a Creative Catalyst Certificate, is a Certified Zentangle Instructor, holds a Trauma-Informed Teaching Artist certification and training for instructing Adults as Beginners from Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation, has been trained in Creative Aging facilitation practices through Lifetime Arts, and is a Certified Facilitator for Open Studio Project method.
As an artist, she has participated in exhibitions throughout Argentina, Barcelona, and New York City with an artist collective from Argentina and has exhibited locally in Delaware.
Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long’s campaign for Governor has named Donnie Johnson the campaign manager and Sydney Diewald the finance director.
Johnson brings over 16 years of experience in electoral management, government relations, and union leadership to the campaign. He has held pivotal roles in multiple Presidential and U.S. Senate campaigns and has contributed to democratic state parties nationwide. In addition to his electoral background, Donnie boasts over a decade of experience as a union organizer, collaborating with organizations such as the National Education Association, SEIU, and Ohio public sector unions. Some of his notable campaign work includes Obama for America, Biden for President, Michigan Democratic Party, Ohio Democratic Party, Virginia Democratic Party, Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate, and Eric Adams for Mayor.
Diewald comes to the team with an extensive fundraising background on campaigns ranging from the local level to statewide races. Last cycle, she served as finance director on Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee’s successful campaign for a full term after being elevated to the post from the Lieutenant Governorship. Previously, she led fundraising operations for NYC mayoral candidate Maya Wiley, New York State Senator Tim Kennedy, and Ulster County Executive (now-Congressman) Pat Ryan. Originally from Ohio, Diewald began her political career challenging Republican incumbents in conservative Congressional districts across the Midwest.
Lt. Governor Hall-Long said, “They know what it takes to win tough races. With a combined 25 years of electoral and labor organizing experience, this dynamic team is well-prepared to lead the charge and ensure victory.”
Wendell Alfred of Lewes has been selected as the new state president of AARP Delaware, the state office’s top volunteer role. AARP has more than 189,000 members in the state and is instrumental in improving the lives of older adults through information, advocacy, community service, local offerings and events. They’re mission is to give Delawareans more choices as to how they live as they age.
Since moving to Lewes more than 20 years ago, Alfred has dedicated much of his life to helping others. “My life goal is to keep helping people,” he said.
He began his tenure with AARP 20 years ago as an AARP Driver Safety volunteer. Alfred represented AARP on the general assembly’s aging in place working group in 2022.
Today, he actively volunteers with AARP as an “AARP Fraud Fighter” to help Delawareans prevent fraud and scams.
In 2019, he attended AARP’s Livable Communities Rural Workshop Conference in Portland, Maine, where he presented on preparing for extreme weather and disasters. He is dedicated to communicating with older Delawareans, to ensure they have the information they need to stay healthy and safe.
“We are thrilled that Mr. Alfred has accepted our offer to serve as State President,” AARP Delaware State Director Lucretia Young said. “He has added amazing value to our presence in the First State.”
Alfred served on the Lewes Board of Public Works, for a time as president. He was honored for his service as the BPW’s water production plant (near Cape Henlopen High School) was named in his honor. His lifetime focus on public safety is demonstrated in his 40-year career in the insurance industry, and his work as a police officer. He currently serves as president of the Beebe Hospital Auxiliary Board and has given 18 years and nearly 8,000 hours of volunteer service to Beebe over.
Alfred grew up in Covington, Va. He earned an associate’s degree from Northern Virginia Community College. Alfred has been with his partner, Mike, for 40 years.
Arthur Hall Insurance announced the promotion of Vicki Marshall, CIC, CPIA, to account executive and plan administrator for the United Way of Delaware Insurance Program. Since joining the agency in 2019, Marshall has made a significant impact in building both client and carrier relationships as well as embracing her commitment to professional development and education. She is based in the agency’s Wilmington, DE office.
Starting her insurance career in 2006 as an agency receptionist, she quickly took an interest in the customer service aspect of the business, earning her P & C license in 2007 and her Life and Health Producer License in 2014. In 2019, Marshall joined Arthur Hall Insurance as an account manager. Since that time, she has earned two prestigious insurance designations demonstrating her dedication to professionalism and commitment to her clients.
The Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) Designation offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of all the working parts of an insurance policy. Often called the “gold standard designation”, there are only 31,500 CICs nationwide, placing Marshall in an elite group of insurance professionals. Requiring at least 100 hours of classroom hours with five comprehensive exams, the CIC designation mandates annual updates to keep pace with an ever-changing profession. With a focus on career growth and business development, and the CIC courses include practical skills and agency management techniques while building a solid risk management foundation.
The Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) Designation is the only program dedicated to recognizing training and service quality among property and casualty insurance personnel. It is nationally recognized as the mark of professionalism with a commitment to professional training, results, and exceptional technical knowledge aimed to provide better service to the insurance-buying public. Marshall found the CPIA course as a way to learn marketing techniques and network with other sales professionals from across the country.
Senior Vice President Glenn D. Burcham, CIC, said, “The position of United Way of Delaware Insurance Program administrator is a perfect role for Vicki, allowing her to blend her professional expertise as well as advocate on behalf of the local nonprofit participants.”
“I knew I found my calling given the opportunity to take over the role of Account Executive and Plan Administrator for the United Way of Delaware Insurance Program,” Marshall said. “Not only does Arthur Hall Insurance have the advantage of consulting with many national and regional carriers to create customized programs for our clients based solely on each client’s needs, but I also absolutely love working closely with local non-profits and supporting their missions to better our community and help those in need.”
Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP elected partners are R. Stephen McNeill, Nicholas D. Mozal, Laura G. Readinger, Rebecca E. Salko, and Aaron R. Sims to partnership.
“Steve, Nick, Laura, Rebecca and Aaron have made impressive contributions to our firm, forging robust client connections and reinforcing our outstanding reputation in legal practice in Delaware,” Peter J. Walsh, Jr., the chair at Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP, said. “We commend their achievements and maintain full confidence in their ability to guide our clients through complex and challenging legal matters.”
McNeill, a partner in the Bankruptcy practice, focuses his practice on complex bankruptcy proceedings involving national and regional clients, including debtors, secured lenders, creditors’ committees and a variety of unsecured creditors. Steve received his B.S., summa cum laude, from Auburn University at Montgomery and his J.D., cum laude, from Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Mozal, a partner in the Corporate Litigation Group, focuses his practice on corporate and commercial litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and Supreme Court. Nick received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Bucknell University and his J.D., summa cum laude, from Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Readinger, a partner in the Corporate and General Litigation Groups, counsels clients and co-counsel on the many challenges associated with eDiscovery. Laura received her B.A. from Cornell University and her J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
Salko, a partner in the Transactions and Corporate Counseling Group, focuses her practice primarily on counseling Delaware corporations on corporate law and governance issues. Rebecca received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Binghamton University and her J.D., magna cum laude, from The Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law.
Sims, a partner in the Corporate Litigation Group, focuses his practice primarily in the areas of corporate, business, and complex commercial litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery. Aaron received his B.A., magna cum laude, from George Wythe University and his J.D., summa cum laude, from Washington and Lee University School of Law.
The Delaware State Fair announced the promotion of Danny Aguilar, CFE to general manager. Aguilar, who has served as the assistant general manager and marketing and sponsorship manager for over 17 years, will be taking over the position from William J. DiMondi.
“I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the General Manager of the Delaware State Fair,” Aguilar said. “Having been part of this incredible organization for nearly two decades, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of this event and its profound impact on the community. I look forward to building upon the strong foundation laid by Bill DiMondi and working alongside our dedicated team to further elevate the Delaware State Fair as a premier regional event.”
The Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) named former marketing intern Jaiden Cain as the new membership and outreach coordinator.
She grew up on her family’s grain farm in Harrington and recently graduated from Virginia Tech in agricultural business with a minor in dairy science. While studying, she also participated in the Dairy Club, National Agri-Marketing Association and the dairy judging team which won the national competition in 2022.
“We’re excited to bring Jaiden back to the office in this role. She has great ideas and knows how to engage our farmer members because of her own farming background,” Mikayla Paul, marketing coordinator and assistant executive director, said. “We really wanted to focus on our membership needs as an organization and Jaiden will do a great job in helping those goals progress.”
Along with her college career and previous intern role at the DEFB, Cain was also the advocacy & communications intern for the Supporters of Agriculture Research (SoAR) Foundation, marketing intern for Sylvester Custom Cabinetry and media intern at the World Dairy Expo.
She graduated from Lake Forest High School in Felton where she was an active member of the FFA and eventually took on the vice president role. She also earned her FFA American Degree, competed in state, regional and national level competitions, served as a camp counselor, showed dairy, cattle, sheep and swine at the Delaware State Fair and became the president of the Vernon Creek 4-H Club.
“I’m glad to be back here because I get along with everybody in the office and I like the atmosphere. I’m excited to work at increasing membership and membership involvement for the Delaware Farm Bureau so we can work together to support the agricultural community,” Cain said.
“Jaiden brings a lot of enthusiasm to her new role. She will contribute considerably to our ability to serve the needs of our members and future members. It’s exciting to watch our youth grow and to know they can bring new skills back home to benefit Delaware,” DEFB Executive Director Don Clifton said. “Jaiden’s return to the office as the membership and outreach coordinator is the best way we could have started the new year.”
Delaware Safety Council has expanded its board by four members and promoted Nicole DiMondi and Drew Brancati to vice chairs.
November 11, 2023, in the Delaware Safety Council offices. DiMondi is the Environmental, Health & Safety Manager at DuPont Company, the company that founded the Delaware Safety Council back in 1919. She has been with DuPont since 1991. DiMondi has her B.A. in Biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Delaware and her Master of Public Health, Safety and Occupational Health Management from Tulane University.
Brancati is a retired director of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware and alumni of the University of Delaware. He served as a volunteer and board member for organizations such as Delaware Guidance Services, Girls Inc., and as a Mayoral Appointee to the Access Wilmington Committee
Four new board members are being welcomed at the January 2024 meeting. Amanda Murphy is a vice president with Fulton Bank, previously Vice President for both Citizens and WSFS Bank. She holds a BA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Certification from the University of Pennsylvania. Adam Hamby is president of American Seaboard Exteriors, Inc. He has a B.S. in Finance from UD’s Alferd Lerner’s School of Business & Economics and spent 12 years as Treasurer with Community Powered Federal Credit Union. John (Jack) Wehmeyer is a data analytics & reporting specialist with JP Morgan Chase. Previously, he served as a fiscal and operations analyst in the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget for the City of Wilmington, DE. David Vanderslice, vice president of operations with Seiberlich Trane Energy Services. He has his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of Delaware and has been with Seiberlich Trane for over 20 years.
