People on the Move: Jan. 20
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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.
Dr. Rick Hong has joined the University of Delaware community in the newly-created role of executive director of Student Health Services.
Dr. Rick Hong | COURTESY OF UD
Hong comes from the Delaware Division of Public Health, where he has been since 2005 when he joined the team as the medical director in the Office of Preparedness. He also served as medical director of the Delaware Medical Reserve Corp, acted as the medical liaison officer in the Incident Command of the State Health Operations Center and chaired the Delaware Ethics Advisory Group. Hong provided medical expertise to fulfill the mission of statewide healthcare preparedness in the setting of mass-casualty incidents, including chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear, traumatic and natural causes.
Hong has worked on numerous projects related to infectious diseases, such as H1N1 Influenza, Ebola and Zika virus. He was appointed as the medical director of the state of Delaware in 2018 and was a leader for the COVID-19 pandemic response in Delaware. In July, he became the interim director of public health and state health officer.
Additionally, Hong has worked as an attending emergency medicine physician since 2007 at Cooper University Health Care, where he also served in a variety of key leadership roles including EMS fellowship director and director of special projects and operations. He is board-certified in emergency medicine and emergency medical services.
Hong earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and bachelor of science in health care management and policy from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 before earning his medical degree from Penn’s School of Medicine in 2001. He completed his emergency medicine residency at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey in 2004.
The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) welcomes Maggie Oda as program director, health.
In her new role, Oda coordinates BluePrints for the Community, the grants program of Highmark Delaware’s donor advised fund at the DCF. Through this partnership between Highmark Delaware and the DCF, BluePrints awards millions of dollars in grants each year to address issues faced by Delaware’s uninsured and underserved populations. From inception through 2022, over 500 grants totaling more than $35 million have been awarded.
Maggie Oda | PHOTO COURTESY OF DCF
With nearly a decade of professional experience, Oda has held numerous positions for organizations in Delaware, including the American Cancer Society of Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley SPCA (Delaware and West Chester, Pa.).
Most recently, Oda served as the director of advancement at the Delaware Art Museum, where she led a team in growing partnerships and conveying the museum’s story. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Lee University.
“I’m excited to begin working with the DCF,” Oda said. “My experiences throughout Delaware in leadership and management roles will help me as I continue the amazing work of the DCF and our donors.”
Speedway Motorsports announced a promotion for Jim Hosfelt recognizing his professional performance at the Monster Mile, as well as expanding his leadership responsibilities across all Speedway Motorsports venues.
Jim Hosfelt | PHOTO COURTESY OF SM
Hosfelt is the vice president of safety and security at Dover Motor Speedway and director of safety and security for Speedway Motorsports.
Hosfelt joined Dover Motor Speedway (DMS) in 2014 after serving as chief of the Dover, Del., police force, capping a 26-year career with the department. Hosfelt supervises the speedway’s expanded public safety department and coordinates partnerships among local, state and federal law enforcement and transportation agencies.
In addition to Dover’s annual NASCAR events, Hosfelt leads security operations for the Firefly Music Festival, held annually on speedway property. Hosfelt also serves as a coordinator for monthly food distribution events conducted by the Speedway with the Food Bank of Delaware.
In his new role, Hosfelt will continue managing security and public safety efforts for DMS while serving as a security liaison on behalf of all Speedway Motorsports facilities with NASCAR and federal agencies. Hosfelt will be tasked with sharing best practices and finding ways to enhance the fan experience across all Speedway Motorsports venues.
Beebe Healthcare announces the appointment of Anthony Buonanno, MD, MBA, as vice president and chief medical officer of Beebe Medical Group.
Anthony Buonanno | PHOTO COURTESY OF BEEBE
In his role, Dr. Buonanno will provide executive and clinical oversight for Beebe Medical Group (BMG), the physician network group that employs hospital-based physicians, walk-in care providers, and a diverse line of clinical specialists who practice in more than 30 primary care and specialty practices across Sussex County. His leadership will be instrumental as Beebe continues to expand its clinical capabilities and reach to best serve those who live in, work in, visit, and seek care in Sussex County.
Dr. Buonanno has completed residencies in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and is currently board certified in Internal Medicine. He joins Beebe after serving as Chief Medical Officer at Lehigh Valley Physicians Group in Allentown, Pennsylvania, an affiliate of the Lehigh Valley Health Network which encompasses nine hospital campuses, more than 275 physician practices, 25 health centers, and 20 express care locations.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Buonanno served as Lehigh Valley’s Senior Vice Chair of Emergency and Hospital Medicine and Medical Director of Clinical Nutrition. Collectively, his experiences as both a clinical leader and healthcare visionary have positioned him to make a meaningful difference for Beebe and the patient population it serves.
Dr. Buonanno earned his medical degree at State University New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. He went on to pursue a combined residency program with concentration in internal medical and pediatric care at Duke University Health System, during which time he served as chief resident and earned multiple medical student teaching awards. Dr. Buonanno also earned a Master of Business Administration in healthcare systems management from DeSales University. Over the course of his career, his research has been published in multiple professional journals, with the most recent appearing in Annals of Emergency Medicine concentrating on enhanced emergency department workflows.
Vice President of Operations Jeromy Newton was sworn in as chairman for the Associated Builders & Contractors Delaware Chapter. He has served on the board for – years and will lead the organization over the next year.
Some of Newton’s initiatives as chairman 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.
Newton is the second Nickle employee to serve as ABC Delaware Chairman, as President/CEO Steve Dignan held the spot in 2001.
Santander Bank, N.A. announced Mark Schrieber has been named head of Mid-Atlantic Middle Market Banking. He will report to Joe Abruzzo, Head of Commercial Banking for Santander. Schrieber joins Santander from JPMorgan Chase, where he most recently served as Managing Director and Head of Business Development for the Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware middle market region.
In his new role, Schrieber will lead business development, market growth and relationship management for Commercial Banking’s middle market segment in the Mid-Atlantic region and will oversee a team of bankers focused on combining local knowledge with international expertise to deliver tailored solutions to clients and prospects throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.
Previously, Schrieber held various leadership positions during his more than two-decade tenure with JPMorgan Chase, most notably launching their Middle Market business in the Philadelphia region in 2011 and successfully establishing Middle Market offices throughout the Philadelphia metro market.
Schrieber earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and marketing from the University of Dayton. He will be based in Santander’s office in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
Blue Blaze Associates 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 with two senior marketing specialists, a marketing coordinator/research specialist, and a content writer/editor.
Amy Hicks | PHOTO COURTESY OF BBA
Amy Hicks, senior marketing strategist, will be responsible for creative direction, public relations, and advertising for several clients in different industry verticals. Hicks brings more than a decade of experience in marketing for corporate and entrepreneurial businesses in industries such as hospitality, tourism, events, and retail. A recent Delaware transplant from Alabama, Hicks worked previously as marketing and events manager for The Summit with Centennial Rec as well as director of business development and communications for the legendary Flora-Bama waterfront bar and grill.
Sharon Pastore | PHOTO COURTESY OF BBA
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. Pastore brings nearly 20 years of experience managing marketing campaigns, including development of brand strategy, SEO, social media, and outreach for nonprofits, educational organizations, and legal firms. She started her own business, Empassion Marketing and Coaching, to inspire mission-driven brands toward purpose and profitability.
Colin Heffinger | PHOTO COURTESY OF BBA
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. Heffinger brings five years of experience with a specialization in journalism, email campaigns, and content development for digital and print. His professional background includes writing and communications work for the University of Delaware and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.
Andrew Sharp | PHOTO COURTESY OF BBA
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. Sharp brings 13 years of experience across journalism, public relations, and magazine writing. He has served at multiple newspapers throughout Delaware in roles such as digital content strategist for The News Journal Media Group and web producer for the Delmarva Media Group.
Lolita Lopez, president & CEO of Westside Family Healthcare, announced her plan to retire from Westside Family Healthcare.
Lolita Lopez | PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTSIDE
Westside Family Healthcare’s Board of Directors has named the current Chief Operating Officer, Chris Fraser as Westside’s next chief executive officer.
Lopez has dedicated her career to ensuring that all Delawareans have equal access to quality healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay. She joined Westside in 1990 when there were only three employees working in a small two-exam room office in the Adams Four Shopping Center on the West Side of Wilmington. Under her leadership, Westside’s workforce has grown to 230 professionals delivering culturally competent care to 28,000 Delawareans annually. Westside has achieved the designation of a Federally Qualified Health Center in 1994 securing sustainable funding to care for the uninsured and has remained Joint Commission Accredited since 2000. Westside is an innovator in community health implementing electronic health records in 2007, delivering care remotely since 2012, and meeting the needs of our patients through the worst pandemic in a century.
Lopez is an advocate for the uninsured developing relationships with key leaders and stakeholders to ensure policies support the right to healthcare for all Delawareans. Lopez was instrumental in building state-based programs that provide financial assistance to those who are uninsured, and she played a crucial role in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Delaware.
Fraser will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer. He joined Westside in 1999 as the Assistant to the Medical Director. He has since served in various administrative roles until promotion to Chief Operating Officer in August 2020. Fraser is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) since 2008; and a member of the Healthcare Leadership Network of the Delaware Valley (HLNDV and is active in many other community organizations. He recently received the 2021 American College of Healthcare Executives Senior Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award. Fraser has a Master of Business Administration degree from Wilmington University (2002) and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family & Community Services from the University of Delaware (1998).
Lopez’s service to Delaware extends well beyond Westside. Lopez is a member of the ChristianaCare Council of Advisors and Vice Chair of the ChristianaCare Health Services Board of Directors. Lopez is a Governor’s appointee as a Trustee of the Delaware Technical Community College and a Member of the Delaware Healthy Mothers and Infants Consortium. In 2020, Lopez was a Governor’s appointee to the 2020 Complete Count Commission and the 2020 Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee. Lopez recently received the 2020 American College of Healthcare Executives Senior Level Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award. Lopez is a Delaware native of Dover, Delaware. She is a graduate of the University of Delaware, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and a master’s degree in mental health counseling.
The Honorable William L. Witham, Jr. has joined as an advisory board member at A Better Delaware, a non-partisan public policy and political advocacy organization that supports pro-growth, pro-jobs policies and greater transparency and accountability in state government.
Witham will serve with Advisory Board member Sam Waltz, founding publisher of the Delaware Business Times and an award-winning respected business and civic leader active in strategic C-level business and change counsel.
Recently retired, Witham has served over 40 years in Delaware’s justice system. He first joined the bench as an associate judge of the Delaware Superior Court in 1999.In 2005, he was appointed Kent County Resident Judge by Governor Ruth Ann Minner and re-appointed in 2017 by Governor John Carney.
Utilizing 34 years of service in the Delaware National Guard including Deputy Commander of the Delaware Army National Guard and his experience on the bench he instituted Delaware’s first Veterans Treatment Court in 2011. This court provides a therapeutic approach to criminal prosecution of veterans with mental illness who are charged with nonviolent felonies and misdemeanor crimes away from jail and into rehabilitative programs. He is also a frequent speaker on the issues ofveterans involved in the criminal justice system on a state and national level.
