People on the Move: June 2

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announces four new superintendents at Delaware State Parks. Lisa McHugh has been named the superintendent at Lums Pond State Park, Scott Borino is the superintendent at Delaware Seashore State Park, Alana Delaney has been named superintendent of Bellevue and Fox Point state parks, and Patrick Thompson is the superintendent of Alapocas Run and Wilmington state parks.

Left to right: Lisa McHugh, Scott Borino, Alana Delaney and Patrick Thompson. | PHOTO COURTESY OF DNREC

McHugh was previously the assistant park superintendent at Alapocas Run and Wilmington state parks from March 2020 to December 2022. McHugh started her career with the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation as a conservation technician at Wilmington parks in November 2006 and held that position until she was promoted to assistant park superintendent.

Borino was promoted from his assistant superintendent position at Delaware Seashore State Park. He was first hired by the division in 2013 as the assistant superintendent at the Indian River Marina. He previously held positions as the community services manager and then executive director of the Edgemoor Community Center in Wilmington. Borino also served in the AmeriCorps VISTA program with the American Red Cross in Delaware and Maryland.

Delaney transferred to Bellevue and Fox Point state parks after serving as the superintendent of Alapocas Run and Wilmington State Parks since 2018. She previously served as the assistant superintendent of Alapocas Run and assistant superintendent of Bellevue State Park. Prior to those roles with the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, she worked in several others with the division including as naturalist and park patrol officer at White Clay Creek State Park, and volunteer coordinator for the northern and inland ponds regions of the Delaware State Parks system.

Thompson moved from his position at the helm of Auburn Valley State Park to take Delaney’s place as superintendent of Alapocas Run and Wilmington Run state parks. Thompson started his DNREC career in 2004 at Bellevue State Park as a park patrol officer and assistant superintendent before becoming a conservation technician. He briefly left Delaware in 2009 to work for the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Bellingham, Wash., and returned to work in Delaware State Parks in 2010 as a conservation tech at Alapocas Run and Wilmington state parks. Thompson worked at Brandywine Creek State Park from 2015 to 2017, when he was promoted to assistant superintendent of Bellevue. Thompson then became the assistant park superintendent for Alapocas Run and Wilmington state parks before his promotion to superintendent of Auburn Valley State Park in 2020.

McHugh, Borino, Delaney and Thompson are responsible for all daily operations at their respective state parks, including supervision, scheduling and evaluation of staff; coordination of maintenance and visitor service programs; development and continuation of relationships with partners, adjacent landowners and community groups; and fiscal, programmatic and infrastructure planning.

During Nurses Week every May, Bayhealth credits one nurse with the coveted Nurse of the Year Award. Bayheath awarded Clinical Patient Care Services Coordinator Eric Lehr, BSN, RN, CEN, at the Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus Emergency Department as the 2023 Nurse of the Year.

Eric Lehr | PHOTO COURTESY OF BAYHEALTH

“Eric thrives in the fast-paced environment of our Emergency Department where he has a can-do attitude that benefits his peers and our patients,” Bayhealth Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services and Chief Nurse Executive Rosemary Wurster, DNP, RN, MPH, NEA-BC, CEN, said. “Nurses across Bayhealth have dedicated themselves to this community and to delivering a stellar experience for all who come to us for care – Eric is no exception. We congratulate him on this meaningful accomplishment.”

Lehr shines when it comes to patient care. More recently, when a patient was experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, Lehr focused his efforts on the patient, immediately securing him a room and starting necessary medications. The patient and their spouse had never visited the Emergency Department and were overwhelmed – but Lehr put them at ease. When it was determined the patient needed to be transported, Lehr stayed with them to help with the transition.

Around the Emergency Department, Lehr is known to lift spirits of peers and patients. He is there to help whenever needed. He’s always willing to help his peers and clinicians with equipment needs, supplies, or any tasks necessary to help patients. Lehr was also instrumental in the re-accreditation processes and site visits for Trauma, Magnet®, and Pediatrics, among others.

Bayhealth congratulates and thanks Lehr and all the 23 Nurse of the Year nominees who dedicated their professional careers to achieving our mission of strengthening the health of our community one life at a time.

Susan Sun | PHOTO COURTESY OF CRODA

Croda, Inc. announces Dr. Susan Sun, research and technology manager at its Atlas Point facility in New Castle, has been honored by Million Women Mentors – Delaware (MWM-DE) and MWM-DE honorary co-chair Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall Long as one of its 2023 Outstanding Women in STEM.

Selected because of her accomplishments in her field and commitment to advancing women in STEM careers, Sun was given the honor at the Delaware Women and Girls in STEM Day earlier this year.

A veteran of the agrochemical industry for 25 years, Sun has focused her expertise on the development of ingredients in crop protection products that increase the efficiency and overall performance of the crops the products are applied to.

“It’s no surprise Million Women Mentors – Delaware would recognize Susan for these achievements. Dr. Sun is globally respected scientist and a true leader in our industry,” Josh Dube, Site Director for Croda’s Atlas Point facility, said. He continued, “She’s passionate about working with the next generation of female scientists so that they, too, can achieve success in the industry. Everyone at Atlas Point is so proud to work alongside Susan.”

Blue Rock Financial Group announces James Whalen has successfully completed the requirements for the CIMA® certification, Certified Investment Management Analyst® through the Investment & Wealth Institute®. James attended the University of Chicago Booth School of Business to complete the CIMA® certification, which identifies individuals who have met extensive experience and ethical requirements and successfully completed advanced investment management consulting coursework provided through a select top-20 business schools in the United States. His studies culminated in him passing the rigorous five-hour certification exam. 

CIMA^® advisors have completed a rigorous process and have demonstrated knowledge and competency in a variety of investment management and portfolio construction topics. The CIMA^® advisor learns sophisticated, technical investment concepts and how to apply them for both individual and institutional clients.  James states “It’s an honor to earn the CIMA designation. It has provided me with the experience and knowledge to provide additional value to both my clients and colleagues.”

Matt Patton, vice president of Surf Bagel, recently announced the names of the management team opening Surf Bagel’s fourth location in Long Neck. Gail Banks will head the team as general manager, with assistant managers Johnny Sapienza, Elizabeth Wood, and Ashley Cox. Jen Bradour, corporate chef of Surf Bagel, will oversee all culinary aspects of the business. Wes Books will oversee the team as director of operations.

“We are excited to see the great work that this team will do in Long Neck. All four managers have years of experience in hospitality, on both a service and management level.” Patton said. “Their knowledge of the business makes them a great team to continue Surf Bagel’s legacy of serving guests fresh baked New York style bagels in a fun, laid back environment.”

Banks, a Newark native, graduated from the University of Delaware in 2017 with a degree in Hospitality Business Management. She began her career in hospitality at age 16 as a hostess at a pizzeria. In 2017, Banks moved to southern Delaware and worked as a server and bartender in local restaurants. She quickly worked her way up to the management level. Banks joined the Surf Bagel team last year and has been a manager at Surf Bagel’s Milford location since it opened in December of 2022.

Sapienza grew up in Lewes and attended Cape Henlopen High School. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in exercise science. He joined the Surf Bagel team in 2015 and has been a key member ever since.

Managers Elizabeth Wood and Ashley Cox will be new to the Surf Bagel team. Both have been a great asset to local hospitality teams during their careers. Wood has excelled in front of house positions, working as a server and trainer. Cox has played a key role on many local culinary teams; most recently overseeing the culinary operations of Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth.

Surf Bagel Long Neck team | PHOTO COURTESY OF SURF BAGEL