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.
Pepco Holdings has named Marisa Slaten director of Corporate Community Impact, a newly created position that will oversee, accelerate and interconnect the community outreach and engagement, corporate philanthropy and volunteerism, and economic development efforts for Pepco, Atlantic City Electric and Delmarva Power. Slaten will be integral to advancing key strategic partnerships, programs and initiatives that will expand access and maximize impact in the communities each company operates within.
In her new role, Slaten will build out the economic development organization for Atlantic City Electric, Delmarva Power and Pepco, with an emphasis on driving regional economic development efforts, including working with organizations whose shared goal is to support expansion of existing business and in helping to attract new business and industry to the area. In addition, she will oversee the partnerships that ensure adequate customer and community engagement including programs that provide financial assistance and other support essential to helping ensure every customer has access to energy services. She will also focus on growing key external partnerships, including those that are helping foster the future energy workforce through STEM programs with area middle and high schools and through partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and other major anchor institutions and partners across the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.
“I am excited for this incredible opportunity to bring new approaches and direction that will help expand relationships, drive deeper impact and provide more opportunities for our customers, our communities and our companies,” Slaten said in a statement. “We have built a solid foundation in community and economic impact across our region. I’m ready to help build on that foundation and to have even greater influence on driving advancement and change through positive and meaningful action.”
Slaten has expansive experience in both the public and private sector and was most recently director of Regulatory Strategy and Services for Pepco Holdings, where she was responsible for overseeing New Jersey and Delaware regulatory commission approval of many transformational initiatives in areas such as energy efficiency, electric vehicles, smart grid technology, and more. Prior to coming to Pepco Holdings, she was director of the Division of Clean Energy at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, where during her time she was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Energy Officials. Slaten also held positions as deputy general and special assistant to the attorney general in the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and started her career as a law clerk at the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits announced Jim Miller’s retirement from executive vice president and general manager, Delaware, effective November 1, 2022.
“Jim is leaving behind an incredible legacy with Southern Glazer’s,” Scott Oppenheimer, President, East Region, Southern Glazer’s, said in a statement. “He has been instrumental in the growth of Southern Glazer’s in Delaware and beyond, all while instilling our FAMILY values in everything he does. Jim is truly a model leader and I wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Miller’s career began in 1987 as a sales consultant at Delaware Importers prior to being acquired by Southern Glazer’s. He spent more than three decades in a series of sales and management roles of increasing responsibility. Miller served for 17 years as the Division Director of Chesapeake Division before being promoted to General Sales Manager, Delaware for Southern Glazer’s.
Shore United Bank congratulates Karen Stanavich on 25 years of service. Karen began her career with the bank in September of 1997 at the Route 213 Branch in Centreville, Maryland after having 10 years of previous banking experience. Karen began as a customer service representative and now holds the title of senior loan origination specialist.
“I enjoy what I do. I like facing the daily challenges and working with a great team every day,” Karen explained.
“Karen’s broad knowledge of the various loans that Shore United Bank offers is a value to the team and Bank. Her years of experience and great customer service are an asset to the Bank,” Jamie Dulin, Senior Loan Operations Officer at Shore United Bank said.
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County announced the appointment of Jason Patton as vice president of its Board of Directors. Patton is the new Head of Community and Business Development for the Northeast Division of Chase Bank. He brings with him leadership in the areas of strategic planning, financial health, experience design, and marketing.
Patton’s career at Chase spans over 15 years, and he has held positions as Head of Cross-Line of Business Partnerships and Customer Experience, as well as key roles in Channel Marketing, Product Management, Digital, and Operations Strategy. Prior to his career at Chase, Patton worked at Wells Fargo in Product Development and Experience Design. Patton has an MBA in Global Management from Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business.
The Brandywine River Restoration Trust (BRRT) announced the appointment of Jim Shanahan to the position of executive director.
Shanahan co-founded Brandywine Shad 2020 in 2017 to enable the annual migration of American Shad by removing or modifying 11 dams on the Brandywine River. The organization recently changed its name to Brandywine River Restoration Trust, to reflect an evolving mission including improving water quality, reducing damage from flooding and providing equitable opportunities for environmental education and recreation.
Shanahan brings valuable expertise in creating, leading and managing organizations through a successful career in financial services where he held senior management positions at American Express, MasterCard and MBNA. He has long been an advocate for environmental causes including his participation on the Franklin PA Open Space Committee, organizing annual cleanups and helping to obtain a Wild and Scenic River designation for the White Clay Creek.
Shanahan lives in downtown Wilmington on the banks of the Brandywine with his wife Tami, rescue dog Sam and cat TJ, where he swims as often as weather permits. Since the removal of the first dam in 2019, he delights in watching the annual migration of thousands of juvenile shad as they begin their journey to the Atlantic Ocean, every fall.
Shanahan is on the Board of Directors of the community focused non-profit Old Brandywine Village and President of the 1960 Superfine Lane Condominium Association. He holds a BA from the University Notre Dame and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
Bayhealth announced the addition of Raghda Bchech, MD, to Bayhealth Family Medicine, Dover. Dr. Bchech joins a talented team that includes Family Medicine Physicians Brintha Vasagar, MD, MPH, FAAFP; Pavandip Virdi, MD; Kandis Samuels-Leutzinger, MD, MPH; and Angela Debo, DO; and Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health Suzanne L. Chafin, LPCMH. The practice is accepting new patients for primary care as well as OB-GYN and pregnancy care, deliveries, and ongoing care for growing families.
Dr. Bchech earned a medical degree from American University of Antigua College of Medicine. She went on to complete a family medicine residency at Tower Health and Drexel University College of Medicine where she also served as chief resident.
While completing her medical training she did extensive community service such as arranging clinical services for the Drexel Health Outreach Project, testing and vaccination through Philly Fight COVID, and served as a volunteer physician for Philadelphia Medical Reserves Corp. Dr. Bcech’s clinical interests also include obesity medicine and diabetes care.
Landmark Science & Engineering announced Roger Stanley has joined the firm’s Engineering Department as a Project Engineer in its Newark, Delaware office. He brings 32 years of comprehensive civil engineering design and project management experience to help meet our clients’ project needs.
Stanley is a graduate of the University of Delaware where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology with a minor in Art History in 2012. He also earned A.A.S. degrees in Engineering Drafting and Design and Civil Engineering Technologies at Delaware Technical Community College earlier in his civil engineering career. Roger has 32 years of experience in civil engineering, performing site design, certified construction review and project management for commercial, residential and aviation engineering design and construction projects throughout Delaware and in nearby counties in Maryland. He brings a depth of knowledge of local and state codes and regulatory requirements, including the New Castle County Drainage Code and the Delaware Sediment and Stormwater Regulations. He has expertise in design of stormwater management facilities utilizing green technology best management practices (BMPs). Roger thrives in an environment where his organizational skills and project management experience are put to good use. He is a team player that excels in driving results, meeting commitments and addressing challenges with creative solutions.
