Delaware Economic Development Office names new Deputy Director

DOVER, Del. – Kirsten Wolfington, a skilled economic development professional who also has ample experience with disaster recovery, has been named the new Deputy Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office.

Wolfington, who grew up in Delaware, most recently was the founding principal of SAGAX Associates LLC, a Wilmington-based economic development and strategic planning firm. Prior to launching that firm, she served as a senior policy advisor on President Barack Obama’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, where she worked with Sandy-impacted communities and stakeholders to provide Cabinet-level statutory and regulatory recommendations for disaster recovery efforts. She was also the Field Lead for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency’s post-Hurricane Sandy economic recovery efforts in New Jersey.

“Kirsten’s extensive experience in economic development makes her a great fit for this job. But her recent appointments to successful disaster recovery task forces demonstrate her ability to react quickly and work efficiently both during and after a crisis,” said Bernice Whaley, Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office. “The leadership skills she developed through these positions will be invaluable in her new role here at DEDO as we look to build upon the recent economic successes of the Markell administration.”

Wolfington also worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, where she was responsible managing federal grants, revolving loan funds and comprehensive economic development strategies for communities in the Northeast and Mid- Atlantic. She began her career as a planner for Chance Management Advisors and then Remington, Vernick & Beach Engineers, where she consulted for a variety of clients nationwide on economic development, transportation planning and comprehensive planning projects.

“I am thrilled to be embarking on this opportunity with the Delaware Economic Development Office to empower small businesses to innovate and grow in our communities and neighborhoods throughout Delaware,” Wolfington said. “I am confident that Governor Markell’s economic mission and Director Whaley’s vision will continue to provide a healthy business environment in our state; and I am looking forward to creating and expanding new strategies with the DEDO staff and collaborating with other state agencies to continue to help our local economies thrive.”

Wolfington has a BA from Franklin & Marshall College with a concentration in Government; and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, with a concentration in Community and Economic Development, along with several certifications. She was appointed by Gov. Jack Markell to the Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens, as well as the State Board of Speech Pathologists, Audiologists & Hearing Aid Dispensers.

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