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.
Delaware State University has recently appointed Bobby L. Cummings as the new chief of public safety and the Del State police force, who began his new chapter overseeing the university’s police and security personnel on Oct. 18.
Cumming adds Delaware State University to his previous 32-year law enforcement career with the City of Wilmington (Del.) Department of Police (1985-2017), in which he served in an ascending number of leadership positions, culminating as that department’s chief of police from 2014-2017.
Prior to his new tenure with Delaware State University, Cummings served as the director of group violence intervention under the Delaware Division of Health and Social Services from 2019 to September 2021.
The Chemours Company, a global chemistry company, announced Oct. 28 the appointment of Dawn L. Farrell to chairperson of the board of directors effective Jan. 1, 2022. Farrell currently serves as the company’s lead independent director and has been a member of the board of directors since the company’s founding.
“Dawn has been a champion for the best interests of Chemours and all its stakeholders,” said Mark Vergnano, chairman of the board of directors at Chemours. “As I reflect on this transition, I’m confident Dawn will continue her relentless dedication as the next chairperson of the Board.”
Farrell is a retired energy industry executive and the past president and CEO of TransAlta Corporation. She spent much of her 35-year career in various leadership positions with TransAlta and BC Hydro. She is a member of the board of directors of Canadian Natural Resources Limited, and past member of the board of directors of the Business Council of Canada, Conference Board of Canada and Alberta Business Council.
Vergnano, who assumed chairmanship of the board in July to facilitate a smooth leadership transition for the business, will continue to serve as a member of the board.
Beebe Healthcare is pleased to announce two new appointments within its executive staff.
Stephen Keiser is now vice president, chief administrative officer of Beebe Medical Group, responsible for all administrative issues at BMG and partners with the physician dyad. Keiser joined Beebe in early 2019.
Paul Pernice is now a senior vice president, in addition to holding the title of chief financial officer. Pernice joined Beebe in 2012.
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) welcomed Jan Beukelman as his new chief of staff, effective Oct. 25.
After over 15 years working in the House and Senate, including 11 years with Carper’s office — first as communications director, then as legislative director and then as chief of staff — Emily Spain will be departing Congress. Carper delivered a speech on the Senate floor last month announcing her departure and commending her years of service.
Beukelman begins as Carper’s new chief of staff after serving as the assistant U.S. trade representative for congressional affairs with the Biden Administration’s Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Previously, he served as Carper’s legislative director after years of working in the House of Representatives.
Wohlsen is pleased to welcome Bryan Niles, director of preconstruction for senior living to the team. In this role, he will serve as a key leader in Wohlsen’s work acquisition process including management, coordination, and delivery of the preconstruction phases of the project and extensive client contact.
Niles graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and structural engineering, and a master’s degree in civil engineering and construction management from the University of Buffalo. He began his career as a structural engineer and estimator, and then moved to senior project manager, director of construction and senior preconstruction manager roles for reputable general contractors in the Maryland and Central Pennsylvania regions.
Niles has over 26 years of experience in construction management and has a preconstruction portfolio that includes SpiritTrust Luther Ridge Skilled Living Facility, Menno Haven Project Genesis, Eurofins Lancaster Labs, and Saint Leo the Great Catholic School.
Lynn Ritter has been promoted to senior manager in our Tax Department. She has over 30 years of diverse tax compliance and consulting experience. She specializes in individual, trust and estate taxation. While Ritter enjoys all aspects of taxation, she especially enjoys working with senior citizens and new executors to help them understand the estate process.
She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Baltimore and Master of Science in Taxation from Widener University. She is a certified public accountant in Delaware and a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Delaware Society of CPAs, National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, Estate Planning Council of Delaware, and Wilmington Tax Group.
The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) is marking a year of significant growth and momentum for community solar by recognizing Delaware advocates for their work in 2021 supporting updates to the state’s community solar program. They are among 26 Community Solar Champions nationwide, which include state legislators, environmental and sustainability advocates, labor leaders, advocates for disadvantaged communities and farmers and agricultural groups.
Delaware’s Community Solar Champions include:
- State Sen. Stephanie Hansen (D-10), for her work to help fix community solar for the state of Delaware. Hansen convened stakeholder groups, helped people come to a consensus on language in the bill, and worked to garner support for the legislation, which passed both chambers with nearly unanimous support. Hansen is helping advance Delaware toward a future powered by more renewable energy.
- Dustyn Thompson, volunteer and community outreach coordinator at the Sierra Club, who rallied coalition members, drove meeting agendas and spoke publicly about the importance of community solar. He also served as a powerful ally on the regulatory front by ensuring draft regulations are appropriate for low-and moderate-income customers.
