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.
Sandra Bruce is expected to be nominated by President Joe Biden as Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement, “I commend President Biden’s nomination of Sandra Bruce to serve as Inspector General at the Department. Sandra has dedicated her life to public service, bringing decades of experience at various federal agencies. Her expertise and integrity have made her an invaluable leader here at the Department. I look forward to her swift confirmation, continued service and strong oversight of agency resources.”
Bruce, acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General, is a results-oriented leader with more than 30 years of experience directing, overseeing, managing, and conducting complex audit, inspections, and investigative-related programs. Bruce joined the OIG in 2014 as Deputy Inspector General and has been leading the office since 2018 when Inspector General Kathleen S. Tighe retired.
Prior to joining OIG, Bruce was the Assistant Inspector General for Inspections at the U.S. Department of Energy, a position she also held at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency from 2006 to 2009. From 1997 to 2006, Bruce was a leader with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, directing its Law Enforcement and Postal Service Security unit and its Computer Assisted Audit Techniques unit. From 1986 to 1997, Bruce was with the U.S. Army Audit Agency, where she began her public service career as an auditor, rising to an Audit Supervisor and Associate Program Director. Bruce was also a Legislative Fellow for Senator Carl Levin. Bruce graduated from Indian River High School in her home state of Delaware.
Richards, Layton & Finger was ranked in Managing Intellectual Property’s 2021 edition of IP Stars as ‘Highly Recommended’—the guide’s highest firm ranking. In addition, firm directors Fred Cottrell and Kelly Farnan have been chosen as IP Stars.
Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Group, Fred Cottrell handles significant litigation in Delaware’s state and federal courts, representing industry giants such as Google, Micron Technology, Apple, and Caterpillar. Clients consider him a “standout trial attorney” with “phenomenal knowledge of the judges and courts”.
Kelly Farnan, vice chair of Richards Layton’s Litigation Department, represents national and international manufacturing, telecommunications, technology, and pharmaceutical companies in complex patent disputes. She is known as “a great advocate” who has “instant credibility whenever she enters the courtroom”.
Multiple Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) Fox & Roach sales associates were named to RealTrends’s America’s Best Real Estate Professionals list. The annual, national awards ranking, honors estate agents from all across the country. Those ranked are among the top 1.5% of 1.4 million real estate professionals in the United States.
- Michael Wilson, of the Brandywine Sales Office, was recognized for transaction sides. He ranked 5th among individual agents in Delaware.
- Gary Williams, of the Christiana Sales Office, was recognized for transaction sides. He ranked 13th among individual agents in Delaware.
- The Sordelet Team, of the Christiana Sales Office, was recognized for transaction sides and volume. They ranked 7th among small sized teams in Delaware for transactions and 12th among small sized teams in Delaware for volume.
- The Brian Foraker Team, of the Hockessin Sales Office, was recognized for transaction sides. They ranked 17th among small sized teams in Delaware.
- Team Endrich, of the Hockessin Sales Office, was recognized for transaction sides and volume. They ranked 13th among small sized teams in Delaware for transactions and 5th among small sized teams in Delaware for Volume.
- The Jason Duncan Team, of the Hockessin Sales Office, was recognized for transaction sides. They ranked 14th among small sized teams in Delaware.
- The Mike Walton Team, of the Hockessin Sales Office, was recognized for transaction sides. They ranked 17th among small sized teams in Delaware.
“Our New Castle County sales associates rank in an elite group of individual agents and teams from markets across the country. This is quite an achievement, and he should be proud of his sales successes,” said Joan Docktor, President of BHHS Fox & Roach, REALTORS.
Monté T. Squire has joined Duane Morris LLP as a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group in its Wilmington office. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Squire served as an Administrative Patent Judge and member at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, Virginia, from 2015 until 2021.
“With his deep technical background as an engineer and experience with all aspects of complex patent trial proceedings, Monté will be a valuable resource for our clients,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO Matthew A. Taylor. “As we continue our strategic growth trajectory, we are focused on attracting ‘marquee talent’ to Duane Morris to strengthen our practice and industry teams.”
“With his unique and dynamic background, Mont is a terrific addition to our robust patent division,” said L. Norwood (Woody) Jameson, chair of Duane Morris’ Intellectual Property Practice Group. “Bringing Monté onto our team will only enhance an already very strong team of patent litigators and lawyers skilled in the intricacies of inter partes reviews before the USPTO. We’re thrilled to be able to offer his experience and knowledge to our clients.”
“Both in terms of its approach to legal services and firm culture, Duane Morris offers a well-defined and forward-thinking strategic vision in intellectual property and patent matters as well as diversity and inclusion and talent development. This engaged, leading-edge approach fits my personal vision and my practice and governmental background very well. I am very pleased to join the talented and nationally respected group of intellectual property lawyers at Duane Morris who have a stellar reputation for handling high profile patent litigation matters and inter partes review matters. And, I am thrilled to be welcomed into the firm by Matt Taylor, Joe West and his talented team at Duane Morris,” added Squire (referring to partner and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Joseph K. West).
PAWS for People, the Newark, DE-based pet therapy organization recently added five new members to their Board of Directors. The new members are: Cheryl Fleming, Director of Communications, Marketing & Technology at Sanford School; Shereen C. Chen Gray, owner of Chen Gray Law in Marlton, NJ; Brian Kisner, Vice President at Century Engineering, responsible for Transportation Infrastructure improvement projects in the Mid-Atlantic region; Harry Martens III, owner and operator of the family business of automobile dealerships, real estate investment and construction companies; and Christina L. Summa, Business Development Officer at First Citizens Community Bank.
“These individuals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our Board.” states Lynne Robinson, executive director, PAWS for People. “We are excited to welcome them to PAWS and look forward to their involvement and ability to extend our mission.”
Jaimie Watts has joined Leadership Delaware, Inc. (LDI), an award-winning, year-long leadership development program, as its chief of operations.
Watts currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Events for the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, where she has grown the event program over the past three years. Before the Chamber, she worked for nearly eight years at the American Cancer Society, training volunteers and raising funds both locally and nationally through the organization’s signature event, Relay For Life.
Watts will join the LDI Family at the end of June, and stated, “Leadership Delaware is known for developing the area’s visionary leaders of tomorrow, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this organization’s mission moving forward.” As LDI’s Chief of Operations, she will be responsible for the overall success of LDI’s Speaker Sessions, will help recruit new applicants and conduct Candidate Receptions, oversee the organization’s marketing, communications, and special projects, as well as work with LDI’s nearly 300 alumni to ensure they stay connected and involved.
LDI’s CEO, Jennifer Cohan stated, “I am very excited for Jaimie to join the LDI family! She brings extensive experience with the business community in Delaware that will help us grow our program.”
Javier Echeverria has been named as the new chief financial officer of Gulftainer, the parent company of GT USA, which operates the Port of Wilmington and Port Canaveral. The recruitment of Echeverria is a next step towards the continued growth and international expansion of UAE-headquartered Gulftainer, one of the world’s leading privately owned independent port operators.
In his previous role, Javier served as regional finance manager of the Euromed & Americas Region for the Singaporean company PSA, based out of Antwerp, Belgium. He managed a multi-billion business driving its financing strategy and performance since 2019, with a portfolio of assets spanning across 11 countries including the USA. Javier joined PSA in 2014 as Regional Head of Finance for the LatAm Region based in Panama. He is a leader with a track record of delivering profitable growth for supply chain companies. He holds business degrees from INSEAD and IESE Business School.
Charles Menkhorst, CEO of Gulftainer, said, “Javier is a proven leader in finance with a superior track record of delivering results and creating value. After a rigorous global search process, I am excited to welcome him to the Gulftainer group. Javier is a high-impact executive who brings a compelling blend of strategic and capital allocation discipline, well-honed operating skills, and transformational leadership abilities. He will be a strong partner as we manage through the current economic challenges and improve our operating results to position Gulftainer for sustainable, long-term value creation for our customers and shareholders.”
“I am excited to join Gulftainer, which has a strong reputation in the market for its operational excellence. I look forward to executing the company’s priorities, as well as accelerate growth and enhance value for shareholders and all stakeholders,” said Echeverria. “I am inspired by the team’s dedication to solid strategic growth while positively impacting the world coupled with its commitment to employees and customers.”
Bobby Weil has joined Wilmington Trust, as vice president and manager of U.S. Loan Agency Middle Administration. In this role, Weil will have a concentrated focus on enabling technological efficiencies to expand Wilmington Trust’s agency services.
“It’s wonderful to see someone with Bobby’s expertise join our already talented loan agency team. His insights will help further our mission to offer clients fully customized solutions, especially with complex transactions,” said Abby Mrozinski, head of global capital markets.
With almost 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Weil most recently served as a Senior Sales Executive at FIS Global. Prior to his work there, Weil spent over 15 years at BNY Mellon helping to build its private-label loan agency business and served in multiple capacities including agent servicer, manager of syndicated loan operations, senior transaction manager for syndicated products, manager of middle office loan administration, senior relationship manager for Corporate Trust, and manager of the Commercial Mortgage Services business.
“I am greatly looking forward to joining the team of experts at Wilmington Trust and have always been impressed by their community-focused mindset,” said Weil, “I am passionate about staying ahead of the curve and excited to bring my experience in the loan market to the team, so we can continue to service our clients with the highest quality knowledge and service available.”
Peter V. Curcio has been appointed as the new chief financial officer and chief operating officer of the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children, effective immediately. Curcio succeeds Joshua Alcorn who recently accepted a new opportunity to help nonprofits amplify their fundraising efforts.
Curcio is a non-profit Executive with extensive experience in management and development. His work as President and CEO of Delaware Valley Junior Achievement was integral to an increased student growth reach during his tenure. He also helped establish Junior Achievement programs in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and throughout the region. For his service to Junior Achievement, Mr. Curcio was the recipient of the Charles R. Hook Award – the highest honor awarded to a Junior Achievement professional.
Before joining the Beau Biden Foundation, he assumed the role of Director of Advancement at Saint Mark’s High School. Through his leadership, the Fund for Saint Mark’s doubled in two years and donor retention reached an annual high.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Pete to our team,” said Patricia Dailey Lewis, executive director of the Beau Biden Foundation. “I have had the pleasure of knowing Pete for over twenty years. His experience in development and operations – and with children – is unparalleled. His expertise will be an invaluable addition to our already mighty team. With Pete’s help, I know more children will be protected from abuse and neglect.”
“I am most honored to join the Beau Biden Foundation and look forward to working with Patty and her team,” said Curcio. “The Beau Biden Foundation was established to be a true champion for children. Beau cared about young people and dedicated his life to providing a safe environment for children of all ages. Children are our greatest resource and our only hope for the future. It is our obligation to protect them to preserve our future.”
In this role, Curcio will lead BBF’s development efforts, donor relations, financial planning and analysis, as well as daily operations. Curcio holds a Master of Arts in Business Administration and Management from Youngstown State University and Columbia Pacific University.
