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.
Dr. Robert Ddamulira has joined the Board of Trustees of the Delaware and Pennsylvania Chapters of The Nature Conservancy. Dr. Ddamulira is currently a Researcher at the Biden School’s Center for Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Delaware and is the founder and CEO of GreenPesa, a startup focused on helping small business owners improve their energy efficiency. He has been tapped to serve on the Board’s Conservation Committee focused on tackling climate change.
“This unique opportunity to serve on The Nature Conservancy’s Pennsylvania and Delaware Board allows me the opportunity to contribute towards the important environmental conservation work happening across the two states and beyond. I am excited to share my ideas on sustainable cities, forests, climate solutions, and so much more,” said Dr. Ddamulira.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Ddamulira join the Board of Trustees and help shepherd the chapter’s work in Delaware and Pennsylvania, said Board Chair Rich Aneser. “His expertise in the fields of energy and policy and his work with the private sector on energy efficiency will be invaluable to the chapter’s efforts to address climate change and advocate for a clean energy future in our region.”
“In Delaware, we are working in cities to deliver nature-based solutions that help address flooding and stormwater pollution, while improving human health and urban wildlife habitat and we’re building resilience in the communities we know that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise,” said Lori Brennan, Executive Director for The Pennsylvania & Delaware chapter. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Ddamulira join us at this pivotal time and look forward to him helping us achieve our mission.”
Bill Dugdale has been named to the Board of The Pilot School. Dugdale has long been a leader in the Delaware community, with a particular focus on causes related to children, health, and early childhood education. In addition to The Pilot School, he is the chair of the Delaware Community Foundation, and serves on the boards of the A. I. duPont Nemours Hospital for Children and St. Michael’s School & Nursery. Since joining Bernstein, he has served as the ultimate trusted advisor to his clients. We are proud of his continued impact on the community, and his leadership of Bernstein’s practice in Delaware.
Sarah Rigot, an architect for Solutions IPEM, has completed the requirements to become an American Institute of Architects registered, licensed Professional Architect. Rigot is also a member of the Young Professional’s organization, active with the Chamber of Commerce and American Builders Contractors, as well as volunteering her time with Habitat for Humanity builds. In her spare time, she works on her home improvement projects designing and constructing the renovations herself.
She joined the architecture department in 2019 and has been involved with designs for The Grove and Friendship Creek townhomes, private residence designs, community clubhouse designs for River Run, Chase Oaks and Sycamore Chase as well as medical office designs for Bay health and private clients.
Lori Aiken has been named the Chief Diversity Officer of Sallie Mae. Aiken will lead the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, including the hiring and development of a diverse workforce and reinforcing the company’s inclusive culture.
“Increasing access and opportunity through higher education is core to who we are at Sallie Mae,” said Aiken. “By ensuring an environment where our people thrive, we can continue to advocate for students and families, from all backgrounds, who aspire to forge their future through education. Our diversity, equity, and inclusion focus will reinforce our commitment to our customers by becoming more intentional about our culture. This will, in turn, allow our team members to further support our customers and the communities where we live, work, and serve.”
Aiken joins Sallie Mae with extensive experience in human resources and talent management and brings a strong background in creating and reinforcing cultures focused on diversity and inclusion. She most recently led the human capital effort for JPMorgan Chase’s market expansion division. Aiken has also developed and supported human resource programs at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Viacom Media Networks, Merrill Lynch, and AT&T.
“Our company culture is rooted in indisputable values and a moral obligation to do right by each other and our communities and that also extends to how we do business,” said Jon Witter, CEO, Sallie Mae. “Lori will further this mission-critical work and advance our efforts to become one of the most just and inclusive workplaces in the country.”
Dover Motorsports, Inc. board of directors have appointed Anastasia Thomas Nardangeli, as a director of the company.
Nardangeli, a graduate of Yale University and University of Maryland School of Law, specializes in business formation, capital raises, financings, corporate governance and mergers and acquisitions.
Dover Motorsports, Inc. chairman, Henry B. Tippie stated, “We are pleased to add Stasia as a new independent director. Her legal background and experience representing public and private companies of all sizes will provide valuable perspective and complement our existing Directors’ skills and experience.
Matt Chacko recently joined the NAI Emory Hill Brokerage team where he will focus on multi-family investment sales, land development, and commercial sales and leasing.
Prior to joining Emory Hill, Chacko worked on the principal side with a private investment group sourcing multi-family deals in Delaware and Pennsylvania. He also spent the last several years in the technology space where he specialized in capital fundraising and business development. His experience includes the development and execution of databases, CRMs, and sales pipelines.
Chacko has been an Adjunct Professor at Wilmington University since 2011.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals has named Dr. Evelyn Edney, director of Delare State University’s Early College High School, as the 2021 Delaware Principal of the Year.
Dr. Edney is the second director of the ECHS, assuming the school’s top post in 2015 one year after its founding. Since then she has overseen the graduation of the first three graduating classes of ECHS students – which totaled 201 graduates. Under Dr. Edney’s leadership, the ECHS boasts a high school graduation rate of 90% over the last three years.
Dr. Marsha Horton, president of the 13-member ECHS board of directors, expressed great pride in the honor for Dr. Edney “As the President of the Board for the Early College High School, as well as the parent of an ECHS student, I know firsthand that she is an amazing school leader – academically gifted; a passionate advocate for all things ‘education’; a wonderful motivator of faculty, staff and students; and a valued colleague,” Dr. Horton said. “We are proud to claim her as the leader of our school!”
Dr. Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University, said the statewide recognition of Dr. Edney is reflective of the high school she leads. “It is a high honor and indicative of Early College High School’s quality offerings and Evelyn’s tremendous leadership,” the University President said.
Dr. Edney said that she is “completely overwhelmed and completely humbled” by the honor, but also noted that the ECHS faculty and staff deserved some credit for the award. “A leader is only as good as the people around them, and I have the best supporting cast that there is,” Dr. Edney said. “They are truly the hardest working staff on the planet.
She is the past recipient of the 2017 Delaware NAACP Education Award, the Delaware Charter Network’s 2019 IDEA Award, and the 2019 National Charter School Community Service Award.
Artisans’ Bank is pleased to announce that Ann Rudolph has joined the bank as senior vice president in the commercial banking division.
Rudolph’s prior experience includes positions with Applied Bank, BB & T and a 20-year career with WSFS Bank. While at WSFS Bank, Ann was the Division Manager for the Commercial Real Estate Group from 1999-2009.
Rudolph stated “I missed community banking and working with local clients to develop and build projects that meet the needs of the community and create jobs and prosperity. Artisans’ has a strong bond with the community and I feel blessed to have joined the company to help grow new and existing relationships.”
She maintains affiliations/memberships with many of the local professional organizations including Commercial Industrial Realty Council (CIRC), Delaware Real Estate Women (DREW) and the Homebuilders’ Association (HBA) of Delaware and Chester County.
Mike Dunmyer has joined US Wind, Inc. to lead community liaison efforts in Delaware.
Dunmyer will serve as the Delaware Development Manager for US Wind. He is an ocean environmentalist with an extensive business background. After a long career as a senior executive for a Fortune 50 company, he served as executive director for Ocean Champions, a bi-partisan political organization focused solely on ocean health. Dunmyer was elected and served as a Commissioner in the Town of Dewey Beach, where he partnered with the Center for the Inland Bays to address Dewey’s tidal flooding problems.
“I’m honored to bring my business experience, passion for the ocean, and love of the Delaware coast to US Wind,” said Dunmyer. “I share US Wind’s commitment to responsibly providing clean energy to the Delmarva region.”
“Getting out into the community – sharing information about our project and hearing from our neighbors – is one of the highest priorities we have as a company,” said Jeff Grybowski, US Wind CEO. “As we work to provide clean energy, good-paying jobs, and environmental benefits to the greater Delmarva region, Mike and Dave’s outreach will be a critical component of US Wind’s success.”
VanDemark & Lynch’s, civil engineer Nick Dolon has been approved as a professional engineer in Delaware.
Donlon started with VanDemark & Lynch in 2014 as a summer intern while he attended the Pennsylvania State University. Donlon graduated in 2016 and returned to VanDemark & Lynch to begin his career, and has been involved in a wide range of projects which allowed him to grow professionally.
State Senator Sarah Mcbride was selected as one of 19 leaders from across the country to join the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of state and local elected officials.
McBride joins the group at a time when state and local leaders are on the frontlines of responding to the pandemic and as they take on a critical role in implementing the American Rescue Plan recently signed by President Biden. The new law will send hundreds of billions of dollars to state and local governments. NewDEALers are supporting each other in addressing the many challenges created and exacerbated by COVID-19 by innovating, convening virtually, and sharing good ideas. The NewDEAL has launched a database of policies and programs that address the wide-ranging impacts of the pandemic and is publishing recommendations for building back better from this crisis.
McBride and her peers in the new class of leaders were recognized for their unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity as they work to build back better in their communities and reject the idea that policymakers can or should want to turn the clock back to a prior era. These leaders’ work will build on policy recommendations that NewDEAL Leaders help develop, including the release of reports on education and climate change, as well as recommendations from the NewDEAL Forum Renewing American Task Force, which has provided guidance for state and local leaders to address affordable housing, child care, broadband access, entrepreneurship, mass transit, and the social safety net. Leaders are currently participating in NewDEAL’s Build Back Better series, which supports them in addressing simultaneous crises around public health, the economy, racial equity and climate change.
“We are in a unique moment for state and local leaders as we must find solutions for the urgent challenges created by COVID-19 while not losing focus on longer-term issues that will also affect Delaware’s economic security for decades to come,” said McBride. “I look forward to sharing lessons with and learning from other leaders who are setting the standard for effective governance, and I am excited to be part of NewDEAL’s efforts to expand opportunities for Americans in communities nationwide.”
WSFS Bank has announced the promotion of six associates from business lines across the organization to senior vice president (SVP).
The following Associates have been promoted to Senior Vice President:
- Pamela Peters Arms – SVP, Relationship Manager
- Douglas Blackman – SVP, Senior Credit Officer
- Dennis Moyer – SVP, Senior Credit Officer
- Randy Nachman – SVP, Director of Mortgage Operations
- Scott Swingle – SVP, Team Lead – Business Banking
- Terence Young – SVP, Enterprise Risk Manager
“Developing our strong bench of senior leaders underpins our succession planning initiative,” said Michael L. Conklin, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. “These individuals, in varied roles with distinct responsibilities, have made significant contributions to the growth and success of WSFS. This group of newly appointed SVPs demonstrate the values and mission of our Company.”
Allison Stine and Jim Lattanzi have joined Northrop Realty. “We’re known for our powerhouse culture at Northrop Realty,” said Creig Northrop, founder and CEO of Northrop Realty. “We’re expanding one of the most professional, effective brokerages in the industry, and we’re excited to welcome Allison and Jim. They’ll provide the absolute best service to home buyers and sellers in the coastal region.”
Stine leads a team of seven real estate agents and serves customers in Bethany Beach. The Sussex County Association of Realtors named Stine Realtor of the Year in 2016, and Delaware Today named her a 5 Star Realtor 10 times. She is a certified residential specialist, the highest designation awarded to residential sales associates.
“An estimated one-in-five U.S. adults either changed their residence due to the pandemic or know someone who did, according to a Pew Research Center survey. That is further fueled by interest rates that are at a 50-year low today,” Stine said. “People with the ability to live and work from home are not leaving their beach house. If they can live anywhere, why not the beach? Northrop Realty’s expansion plants the Northrop flag in the sand and shows the community that Northrop istruly committed to serving the growing Delaware beach market.”
Lattanzi leads an office that includes more than 10 real estate agents and serves customers from Millsboro, and will focus on the growing market there, marked by increased demand from buyers, new home construction and a rapidly selling inventory of existing homes.
“What excites me most about working with Northrop Realty is having my name associated with the brand that delivers,” Lattanzi said. “I will be able to recruit top agents because I can look them in the eye and say, ‘This is going to be the best move you’ve ever made.’ I can say that now from experience and know that I’m telling the truth. It’s not a sales pitch; it’s a promise.”
“I am so grateful to the DelNature board of directors, staff and community for the opportunity to serve as executive director for the past three and half years,” said Harper. “The last 14 months of the pandemic have prompted me to re-think my personal priorities and I have decided to move to North Carolina to be nearer my children and grandchildren. As Delaware moves into a ‘new normal’, DelNature will remain committed to environmental education, conservation, and advocacy. I am excited to see where the organization goes in the future.”
Dawn Rittenhouse, DelNature board chair added, “On behalf of the entire Delaware Nature Society community, I want to thank Anne for her leadership, especially through the incredibly challenging pandemic. The organization is in a strong position because of her leadership. The Board is committed to maintaining this position of strength, grateful to the many staff, donors and volunteers who support our mission, and look forward to building toward an even stronger future.”
The board will immediately launch a national search for a new executive director.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP has added Corinne Moini to its Delaware office as an associate in the firm’s litigation practice.
Moini focuses her practice on counseling companies, directors, and shareholders in expedited and non-expedited fiduciary duty litigation, statutory matters arising under Delaware corporate and alternative entity laws, complex contractual disputes, including post-closing stock or asset purchase agreements, and derivative shareholder litigation.
Prior to joining the firm, Moini worked for Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell, a leading Delaware-based law firm. Moini also gained valuable experience as a law clerk to the Honorable William C. Carpenter of the Superior Court of Delaware and as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert G. Doumar of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
