People on the Move is a rundown of recent hirings, promotions, appointments and other notable movements by professionals in the state. If you’re interested in submitting an entry, please contact news@delawarebusinesstimes.com.
WSFS Financial Corporation, the parent company of Bryn Mawr Trust, announced the addition of three financial professionals to its growing team. Tony Lunger has joined as senior vice president and wealth director, Mark Gerstenschlager as senior vice president and senior investment advisor, and Pamela Opalach as vice president and senior financial associate.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tony, Mark, and Pam to the Bryn Mawr Trust team,” said Jamie P. Hopkins, Chief Wealth Officer, Bryn Mawr Trust. “Their deep expertise and long history of delivering outstanding Client service will add tremendous value to our growing wealth management team. As we continue to expand our offerings and grow our Client relationships, Tony, Mark, and Pam will play an instrumental role in helping us achieve our mission of providing exceptional financial strategies and solutions.”
As wealth director, Lunger will leverage his knowledge to guide Clients through complex financial landscapes, ensuring their wealth is preserved and grown for future generations. He will report to Hopkins.
Lunger’s experience includes more than 24 years in wealth management with Wilmington Trust Company. For the last 10 years, he served as Managing Director working with high-net-worth individuals and families to develop comprehensive financial plans, investment strategies, and estate planning solutions in the Delaware Valley region.
“Bryn Mawr Trust is a firm that shares my commitment to the region and to providing Clients with thoughtful, customized financial solutions,” said Lunger. “I am eager to work alongside such a talented team.”
As senior investment advisor, Gerstenschlager will be responsible for developing customized asset allocation strategies for high-net-worth individuals and not-for-profit Clients.
“I am proud to join an organization as reputable as Bryn Mawr Trust and one that is committed to providing personalized Client-focused wealth management services,” said Gerstenschlager.
Gerstenschlager previously spent more than 23 years at Wilmington Trust Company, most recently as Senior Investment Advisor, providing investment analysis and tailored diversification strategies for Clients.
Opalach joins as a senior financial associate and will be working directly with Clients and their planning. She has more than 20 years of experience in client-focused tax, trust, and wealth management.
Aloysius Butler & Clark (AB&C) has announced that Linda Shopa, CFO, will retire on December 31, 2024. After 35 years with the agency, Shopa’s retirement comes with several long-planned leadership changes that will ensure a smooth transition and support the agency’s aggressive growth strategy.
“It’s been a remarkable journey with AB&C, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to contribute to our growth and help build the agency into the company it is today,” Shopa said. “I have no doubt AB&C will continue to pursue the strategies that keep the business strong and set us apart from [other] agencies in the region and beyond.”
Joanna Ford, previously Director of PR & Social Media, has taken on an expanded leadership role as the agency’s Chief Communications Officer. In addition to overseeing all internal and external communications, Ford will take on responsibilities for agency operations. She also now joins Paul Pomeroy, CEO, and Steve Merino, Chief Creative Officer, as an owner.
Will Davis, Finance Director, will become CFO upon Shopa’s retirement. Davis will also expand his responsibilities in the agency’s long-term fiscal planning and operations.
“AB&C would not be where it is today without Linda’s dedication and the influence she’s had on our growth,” CEO Paul Pomeroy said. “Certainly, we are sad to see her retire. But the way we will transition and move forward is completely aligned with Linda’s commitment to the well-being of AB&C. This agency is building on the very foundations that she helped to establish to continue our growth strategies. We wish Linda all the best and are excited to move ahead with these meaningful leadership changes.”
Bayhealth Hematology/Oncology Associates welcomed oncologist Ajinkya Kulkarni, MD, to the Bayhealth Cancer Institute caring for patients across Kent and Sussex Counties.
Dr. Kulkarni is experienced in diagnosing and treating a variety of cancers and diseases of the blood, and he emphasizes the importance of building trust with his patients through communicative and compassionate care. Prior to coming to Bayhealth he practiced in Brooklyn, New York, as a hematology and oncology fellow at Maimonides Medical Center.
“Dr. Kulkarni is an excellent addition to our team of oncology specialists here at the Bayhealth Cancer Institute,” said Iftekhar A. Khan, MD, chief, Oncology Services and medical director, Medical Oncology at Bayhealth. “His expertise and commitment to innovation combined with his ability to connect and build trusting relationships with his patients is what makes him a perfect fit for Bayhealth.”
Dr. Kulkarni completed his internal medicine residency at Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Darby, Pennsylvania, after earning his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees at Maharashtra Institute of Medical Education and Research Medical College in his home country of India. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology.
The Kendal Corporation announced the appointment of Max Ault as senior director of project integration. With over 17 years of expertise in economic and community development, business strategy, and operations, Ault brings a depth of experience that will strengthen Kendal’s mission to support vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable Affiliate communities and organizations.
The Delaware State University Board of Trustees welcomed two new members to its governing body, Wilmington Mayor Michael S. Purzycki and Tetra Shockley, Esquire.
Mayor Purzycki has made Delaware State University a part of his new public service chapter, as he concludes his tenure as the two-term Mayor of Wilmington, Del. Under his mayoral leadership, almost $1 billion of private investment was injected into the economy of the City of Wilmington. In addition to overseeing the tremendous revitalization of Wilmington’s downtown and riverfront, $14 million was invested in the city’s neighborhood parks and public space under his leadership.
Before his years as mayor, Mayor Purzycki was the head of the Riverfront Development Corporation, which reinvented and reinvigorated the areas along the Christina River. He also served for 10 years as the Chairman of the Wilmington Hope Commission, the work of which led to the completion of the Achievement Center building, which helps formerly incarcerated men transition back into the community.
Shockley is a law partner in Benton & Shockley Law, P.A., where she specializes in family law and personal injury. She graduated from DSU in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management. She later completed an MBA in Executive Leadership at Wesley College. She graduated from Widener University School of Law in 2012 with a Juris Doctor degree.
Shockley is a member of the Delaware Board of Bar Examiners, the Delaware State Bar Association’s Committee on Nominations, Delaware’s Court of the Judiciary’s Preliminary Investigatory Committee, and serves as the Vice President of the Kent County Bar Association. She is also licensed to practice law in New Jersey.
Mayor Purzycki fills the DSU Trustee seat of past Gov. Michael N. Castle, and Mrs. Shockley succeeds Dr. Devona Williams on the Board. Both former Trustees’ terms had expired.
Both new Trustees are appointees of Gov. John Carney.
Morris Nichols announced eleven of attorneys were recently admitted to practice in Delaware.
“We are delighted to welcome this group of promising attorneys to the Delaware bar and congratulate them on achieving this career milestone,” said IP litigation partner and Morris Nichols recruiting committee chair Michael Flynn.
Morris Nichols associates admitted in December 2024:
Alternative Entity Counseling/Commercial Transactions:
- Patrick J. Buethe
- Trevor York
Corporate & Commercial Litigation:
- Cassandra L. Baddorf
- Isaac Hopkin
- Jialu Zou
Bankruptcy & Restructuring:
- Luke Brzozowski
- Brianna N.V. Turner
- Jake A. Rauchberg
Corporate Counseling:
- Emma Skowron
- Sean A. Meyer
Intellectual Property Litigation:
- Paul Steingraber
