The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Alliance honored this year’s Superstars in Business award winners at their annual awards ceremony Nov. 10 at the Hotel du Pont’s Gold Ballroom.
The Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Award, named for one of Delaware’s leading small- business entrepreneurs, honors businesses and nonprofit organizations for their outstanding achievements and model approaches to business and management. The awards are presented to companies that have been in business for at least three years, are small businesses based on the number of full-time employees, and are members of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.
Richard G. “Dick” Hatfield, founder of Colonial Parking Inc., was awarded the Marvin S. Gilman Bowl, an honor established as a tribute to small
business leadership.
It is named in memory of Marvin S. Gilman, who served as an exemplary leader in Delaware. Hatfield started Colonial Parking nearly 60 years ago with a single parking lot in Allentown, Pa. Today he is chairman of the board of the mid-Atlantic regional business. He is a lifelong Rotarian, a former state chamber board member and a volunteer with several community groups.
Other winners honored include:
Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay (nonprofit category)
This organization serves nearly 10,000 girls in grades K-12 and 4,000 adults on the Delmarva Peninsula. While offering girls and young women personal growth and leadership experience, the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay also coordinates girl-led community service and programs ranging from science and technology, business and economic literacy, and outdoor and environmental awareness.
Back to Basics Learning Dynamics Inc. (1-24 employee category)
Founded in 1985, Back to Basics Learning Dynamics Inc. has grown from a sole proprietorship providing one-on-one tutoring to children and adults in only a handful of subjects into a full-service education company serving children, adults, schools, districts, corporations and the government.
Bernardon (25-59 employee category)
Established in 1973, Bernardon has been continuously operating for the past 42 years. The firm specializes in regional architecture, interior design and landscape architecture with offices in Wilmington and Kennett Square, Pa.
SoDel Concepts
(60-150 employee category)
SoDel is a multifaceted hospitality company based in Rehoboth Beach, operating eight restaurants, a catering company, a hospitality management company, restaurant consulting company as well as a craft soda company. SoDel also has a charitable foundation.
2015 Award of Excellence Winners
The First Tee of Delaware
(nonprofit category)
Sussex Printing Corp./The Guide
(1-24 employee category)
Bramhall + Hitchen Insurance
(25-59 employee category)
Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, CPAs
(60-150 employee category)
