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.
Brian Ashby has joined NAI Emory Hill after an award-winning career in restaurant ownership and real estate. In addition to working in the commercial real estate division, Brian is an active real estate investor, who is currently developing multifamily projects in one of Philadelphia’s hottest neighborhoods.
Brian is licensed in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania and will be focusing on all aspects of commercial real estate brokerage, including; acquisitions, dispositions, landlord and tenant representation, investment sales, and commercial development. Brian has a proven track record of providing unparalleled advisory and consulting services and is excited to be a part of the NAI Emory Hill team.
Neil Killian, Principal (CCIM, SIOR) at NAI Emory Hill said, “Brian brings a strong background in business ownership and real estate with him to Emory Hill. I expect him to begin contributing immediately as a member of our organization. As many of Brian’s past clients know, he brings a great can-do attitude which has served him well, and I expect will allow him to begin bringing the same level of service and professionalism to everything he does here.”
Robin Roddy, COO of Delaware Solid Waste Authority, has been named the Chair for the 2021 Go Red For Women/STEM Goes Red campaign for the American Heart Association.
Roddy will lead the 2021 fundraising efforts for Go Red, which encourages women to take charge of their heart health and combat the No. 1 and No. 5 killers of American women, heart disease and stroke. Her focus will also be to highlight the STEM Goes Red initiative where girls are encouraged to pursue careers in STEM fields right here in Delaware.
Roddy is a Professional Engineer in the State of Delaware and a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. She began her career at DSWA in 1995 and has since served as Project Engineer, Facilities Manager and COO. Ms. Roddy will lead a spirited team of volunteers to organize, educate and fundraise towards the mission of the Go Red for Women/STEM Goes Red movement, which is to support awareness, research, education, and community programs to benefit women and girls in Delaware.
“I have been inspired by the work of the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women and I look forward to leading the 2021 Executive Leadership towards a successful year,” says Roddy. “During this pivotal time in our country, the AHA is partnering with influencers in our community to make impactful change for the people of our state. In particular, the women of Delaware, who deserve quality healthcare, access to healthy foods and safe streets, which work preventatively to reduce the number of people who suffer from cardiovascular disease.”
The law firm of Baird Mandalas Brockstedt, LLC (BMB) has announced that 14 of the firm’s lawyers have been chosen by their peers as “Top Lawyers 2020” by Delaware Today Magazine. Delaware Today invited licensed attorneys from the 4,530-member Delaware Bar Association to vote for the top lawyers in each practice area. Top Lawyers 2020 appears in the November edition of the magazine.
The Baird Mandalas Brockstedt (BMB) attorneys and their practice areas are as follows:
- Kevin M. Baird – Trusts & Estates
- Chase T. Brockstedt – Personal Injury
- Barbara Snapp Danberg – Trusts & Estates
- Rebecca N. Doyle – Trusts & Estates
- Brian V. DeMott – Labor Law for Employer and Employees
- Heidi J.A. Gilmore – Real Estate
- Donald L. Logan – Construction
- Glenn C. Mandalas – Government Affairs
- John W. Paradee – Business Commercial
- Victoria K. Petrone – Construction
- Stephen A. Spence – Business Commercial
- Stephen W. Spence – Banking Law
- Roger L. Truemper – Corporate Law
- Michele D. Wenz – Real Estate
“The firm is proud to have 14 attorneys chosen by their peers as top in their respective practice areas in the definitive Delaware lawyer ranking. It is quite an honor for the individuals and for Baird Mandalas Brockstedt. This is the firm’s sixth year with at least five of its lawyers receiving Top Lawyer recognition,” said BMB managing partner Kevin M. Baird. “On behalf of our attorneys and staff, we are humbled and will continue our efforts to exceed our clients’ expectations at every opportunity. We continue to attract experienced, skilled and dynamic lawyers dedicated to serving their clients while earning the respect of their peers in their practice area and within the legal community as a whole. Our firm’s outstanding recognition in Top Lawyers 2020 validates our mission and motivates us to continue smart, strategic growth.”
George Thomasson of Sussex County has been named the 2020 Delaware REALTOR® of the Year. The award was presented by Beau Zebley, 2020 president of the Delaware Association of REALTORS® (DAR), during the association’s virtual annual meeting and election of 2021 officers.
The award honors the REALTOR® whose outstanding service has delivered positive impact both in their communities and the real estate industry at the national, state, and local levels.
Thomasson has more than 20 years in real estate and is an associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway, and has been the recipient of their HomeServices Leading Edge award numerous times. He has had numerous leadership positions with the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® (SCAOR) including both first and second vice president. Thomasson has been a member of the DAR Board of Directors for the past two years, currently represents DAR on the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Resort and Second Home Committee, and will represent Delaware during the upcoming NAR Annual Conference & Expo, held virtually. He holds NAR’s e-Pro Advanced Digital Marketing certification. He is active in his community, serving his 5th year as a Commissioner on the City of Lewes Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Commission and engaging in a myriad of events.
DAR 2021 slate of officers was elected during the meeting. Incoming officers include President Mia Burch of New Castle County, President Elect Susan Giove of Sussex County, Vice President Monica Le Blanc of Kent County, and Treasurer Kevin Thawley of Sussex County. Sandi Bisgood of Sussex County will serve on the Board as Director at Large.
Three other REALTORS® were recognized as the recipients of 2020 Good Neighbor Awards by the local associations, honoring their commitment to volunteer efforts that made a positive impact in their communities.
Liza Orlando of the Kent County Association of REALTORS® (KCAR) was recognized for her work with the Home of the Brave foundation and service in the Air National Guard. Home of the Brave provides transitional housing, basic living essentials, and food for homeless veterans, and collaborates with other organizations to provide other support services. Liza raised over $31,400 for the organization, and recruited volunteers who assisted more than 200 veterans.
Kathy Pennington, New Castle County Association of REALTORS® (NCCBOR), has been involved in a host of charitable efforts, including service to the Mary Mother of Hope House. She helped raise more than $8,000 for the American Cancer Society and has raised funds for “Dewey Goes Pink” for 6 years. She also supports The Bayard House, Meals on Wheels, and Elks Lodge #307.
Colleen Kellner, Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, is the events coordinator for Operation SEAs the Day — a week-long event for wounded soldiers/veterans and their families at Bethany Beach. Housing is donated by local homeowners, and events planned for the week include fishing, car show, Heroes Parade, and more. Colleen also supports Quilts of Valor Foundation which provides handmade quilts to service members for veterans who have been touched by war.
Scott Thomson has been appointed CEO of SPI Pharma. A highly experienced international business executive with a proven track record in strategy development and execution, operational management, and innovation for Specialty Ingredients, Scott joins SPI Pharma after 29 years with BASF.
During his tenure with BASF, Mr. Thomson held various leadership roles in both North America and Germany, including Senior VP of BASF’s Global Pharmaceutical Solutions Business. His most recent position was Senior VP Care Chemicals Division, North America.
Thomson brings highly relevant Pharmaceutical Excipients and other Specialty Ingredients business experience, as well as a solid track record of developing businesses through high performance teams and strong customer partnerships to deliver innovative solutions to the market.
SPI Pharma provides the innovative solutions global pharmaceutical and nutritional companies need to succeed by solving the most challenging formulation problems- efficiently, cost-effectively, and with a focus on service.
Serving over 50 countries in the manufacture and marketing of antacid actives, excipients, drug delivery systems for tablets and powders, taste-masked actives and vaccine adjuvants, SPI Pharma also specializes in drug development services, having participated in over 60 commercially launched and marketed drugs globally.
Headquartered in Wilmington, SPI Pharma employs a strategically located global staff, is part of ABF Ingredients and is backed by parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF).
