August 18, 2015: People on the move and achievements

Megan Mooney 

Megan Mooney joined Independence Wealth Services, affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, in Hockessin, as a client support manager.  Mooney has more than 10 years’ experience in the wealth management industry in New York City and the Delaware Valley.

Michael A. Forthman 

Michael A. Forthman was appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hart to Heart Transportation, a regional provider of ambulance, paratransit and wheelchair transportation services in Maryland and Delaware. Forthman is responsible for leading, implementing and integrating strategic and operational initiatives in alignment with the organization’s growth strategy. Additionally, he focuses on the development and execution of risk management protocols, revenue cycle enhancement strategies, safety initiatives, and patient satisfaction and experience improvement tools.

Nick Quercetti Jr. 

Nick Quercetti Jr. joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty as a sales agent in its Rehoboth Beach office. Quercetti is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at University of Pennsylvania, with a degree in finance. He has experience in specialty building materials and the construction industry as a subcontractor, distributor, manufacturer, builder, and consultant.

DSU physics researcher to develop new laser radar technology for military application

Dover ““ Dr. Renu Tripathi, Delaware State University associate professor of physics and engineering, has been awarded a $192,000 grant from the Army Research Office for the development of a long range, high resolution laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system.

LADAR technology development is important for many critical defense applications such as surveillance, autonomous guidance and hazard avoidance. The technology has widespread commercial, military and space applications, which include reverse engineering, process control, autonomous landing and other areas.

Dr. Tripathi is working with Yury Markushin, a DSU optics Ph.D. candidate from Russia. The two have already developed a previous LADAR system and are working now to create an improved multifunction system with polarization imaging capability by employing a photon counting and correlation technique.

“The difference with this LADAR system is it will be more sensitive and more distance will be built into it,” said Dr. Tripathi, who is also a scientist with the University’s Optical Science Center for Applied Research.

Promotions at Allen Harim

Allen Harim, a producer and processor of chicken on Delmarva, has promoted four employees to senior level positions within Allen Harim:

Sylvia Nicholson has been promoted to senior director of Human Resources and Corporate Communications.

Everett Brown was promoted to senior director of Operations responsible for both Harbeson and Cordova.

Scott Yackel was promoted to plant manager at Cordova, having previously served as assistant plant manager at Harbeson.

Jim Quinton was named senior manager of transportation and environmental services and reports directly to Allen Harim CEO Steve Evans. He previously served as senior manager of Cordova operations and Transportation.

Members appointed to Delaware State Arts Council

Madeleine Bayard and Mary Ann C. Miller, of Wilmington, Donna Blakey of Dover, and Robert J. Connelly and Michael Quattrociocchi, of Milford, were appointed by Gov. Jack A. Markell to the Delaware State Arts Council, the advisory body to the Delaware Division of the Arts. They will replace five departing council members and join the 11 continuing council members in their work as advisers and advocates for the arts, promoting and encouraging participation in and appreciation of the arts throughout the state.

Drumheller awarded Top Craftsman in SSIA’s Silver Cup Contest

Wilmington ““ Rachel Drumheller, of Fast Feet in Wilmington, earned a bronze award in the Shoe Service Institute of America’s 2015 Silver Cup Contest.

Her peers on the basis of her workmanship chose Drumheller for recognition. To enter the contest, Drumheller submitted two pair of men’s shoes. One shoe from each pair was repaired with a new sole and heel. The repaired shoes were then refinished to look like new.

“One of the principal benefits of shoe repair is that consumers can have their shoes repaired to look like new, but for a fraction of the cost of new shoes,” says SSIA President Paul Angelos. “The purpose of the Silver Cup Contest is to recognize craftsmen such as Rachel Drumheller who maximize that benefit and set the standards for our industry.” Awards were presented in July at the annual Shoe Service Convention in Jacksonville, Fla.

Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame honors 2015 inductees

The Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame (DAHF) will induct six Delaware aviation achievers for 2015. The inductees will be celebrated at an Honors Banquet at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall on Oct. 10, 2015. Founded in 2000 to commemorate outstanding service in military and civilian aviation, the Hall of Fame has 91 current or former Delawareans who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of aviation/aerospace in Delaware, brought singular credit to the First State in their achievements elsewhere, and have shown gallantry in aviation in service to the First State and the nation.

The 2015 Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame selectees are:

Gary Dempsey – Jet Aviation Senior VP, Worldwide Customer Care

Arthur Gorman – Working from his home base in Delaware, he held positions as a Sales Manager, Fleet Manager, Pilot, First Officer, and Flight Instructor in several key military, commercial, corporate and general aviation fields for over 50 years.

Rick Dorsey Morgan – Col. Morgan became a transport pilot and was President of Air Service, Inc., at Bellanca Airfield, before being called to active duty in the U. S. Army Air Corps at the beginning of the Second World War.

 John Reed – A U.S. Army Air Corps flight instructor who was later assigned to the Air Transport Command as a Flight Officer Service Pilot and instructor pilot, Reed managed Laurel Airport for 40 years, where he was a Power Line Patrol Pilot, flight instructor and F.A.A. designated pilot.

Ernest Schwab – Schwab has more than 20,000 combined flight hours as a U.S. Marine pilot, Delaware Air National Guard pilot, Pan American Airways pilot and private pilot, as well as his military command experience and work with Flight Safety International.

Brian Woodcock – Born in London, England, in 1936, survivor of the German “Blitz” of London during World War II, he had a career in aviation in England before coming to the United States.  An early Vietnam era U.S. Army veteran, he worked on helicopters for the 611th Aircraft M&S Battalion. He recently retired from the Boeing Co.