WILMINGTON – Governor-Elect John Carney announced selections to lead two additional Cabinet agencies when he takes office.
Robert Coupe will be nominated to serve as secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the agency with responsibility for protecting the safety and welfare of all Delawareans, overseeing the Delaware State Police, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities, among other divisions.
Coupe has served as Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction since 2013, having been appointed by Gov. Jack Markell and confirmed by the Delaware Senate. In his current position, he oversees Delaware’s correctional system, leading an agency with 2,500 employees that supervises more than 7,000 inmates.
Michael Scuse will be nominated to serve as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Agriculture, an agency that promotes and supports Delaware’s agricultural industry, oversees food inspection services to protect Delaware consumers, ensures agricultural compliance statewide, and helps conserve forest resources.
Scuse has served as the Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture since March 2016, helping support the national agricultural industry, promote vibrant rural communities, and open new markets for America’s farmers.
Previously, Scuse was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, leading efforts to promote American agricultural products globally. From 2001 to 2008, he served Secretary of the Delaware Department of Agriculture under then-Governor Ruth Ann Minner.
Nominations to the Governor’s Cabinet must be confirmed by the Delaware Senate. Confirmation hearings are planned for January 18 and January 25.
