P.O.M. profile
Ken Grant
New position: Public and government affairs manager at AAA Mid-Atlantic
Particulars of the new job: To build and maintain relationships with the media, legislators, various government and nonprofit organizations, AAA members and the public to facilitate communication, support quality legislation that elevates the quality of life for drivers, passengers and all who use our roadways, and to work with the social media community to engage in high-quality discussions about transportation.
Previous job: Marketing director at Miles Scientific. That position gave me the opportunity to engage with great people in the bioscience and chemistry industries around the world and help produce a fun Monty Python-inspired video.
Family: Married to the most patient, tolerant, and understanding young woman around. Proud father of two – son serving in the U.S. Army, daughter working at the Hotel du Pont.
Hometown: All over – my father served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, I grew up in Florida, Texas, Nebraska, Dover Air Force Base, and Bitburg, Germany.
Favorite place at the beach: My wife and I love getting the tropezienne at Café Papillon. Rehoboth Beach is where we shared our first kiss and where I proposed to her two years later.
What you say about Delaware to people from out of state: I think I can tie just about any event in history to Delaware in some way, shape or form – it’s almost like playing “Six Degrees of Separation” – I talk about our state’s rich history, the incredible entrepreneurial, artistic, and creative talents we have here. When friends visit from out of state, I take them to Historic New Castle, to the Golden Fleece Tavern in Dover, to The Hotel du Pont, The Playhouse, The Grand Opera House, The Queen, the Riverfront, Old Swede’s Church and the Kalmar Nyckel, when it’s in state.
What you wanted to be when you were 6: I thought I would be a great disc jockey on the radio – and I had the perfect name – I would be “Kenny G” – then this guy came along playing a saxophone “¦
Dream vacation: My lovely bride and I have enjoyed incredible times in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. We would love to visit Istanbul, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya and Jordan.
Passion: I love connecting good people, I love enjoying the art and music crafted by awesome people, and I love learning about a variety of cultures.
Something about you that your coworkers don’t know: I don’t know if they are aware of my dream of someday appearing in a Bollywood film with Aamir Khan, contributing at least one line for a musical with Lin-Manuel Miranda, and having a character named after me in a book by Christopher Buckley and/or Christopher Moore.
Emory Hill celebrates 35th anniversary
Emory Hill Companies officially marked its 35th anniversary in July. Founded in July 1981 by R. Clayton Emory and Robert E. Hill, Emory Hill opened its first office in Newark. It later moved its headquarters to the New Castle Corporate Commons and now has an office in Lewes. Over the years, the company has spread its territory to include Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Emory Hill provides comprehensive real estate services, including commercial brokerage, construction, property management, maintenance and residential sales, capitalizing on local and global resources, advisory capabilities and deep experience.
In 2012, Emory Hill Companies was awarded the Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Award by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, the highest business honor bestowed by the chamber.
Richards, Layton & Finger
Richards, Layton & Finger announced that 53 of its directors have been named in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more attorneys than any other Delaware firm. In addition, the firm is ranked first in Delaware in eight areas of law: Appellate Practice, Bankruptcy Litigation, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Corporate Governance Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law, and Tax Law.
Best Lawyers compiles its annual list of distinguished lawyers by conducting national surveys in which thousands of lawyers provide substantive evaluations of their peers.
Richards, Layton & Finger directors Paul Altman, F. Peter Conaty Jr., Fred Cottrell, Eric Mazie and William Wade have been selected as 2017 Wilmington, Delaware Lawyers of the Year. The Best Lawyers in America presents this award to a single outstanding lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area.
Food Bank appoints new officers
The Food Bank of Delaware announced a slate of new officers and the appointment of four new members to its board of directors.
The following officers have been elected to the Food Bank of Delaware’s executive committee:
- Julie Miro Wenger, chairwoman (executive director, Delaware Food Industry Council)
- Theron J. Roe, past chair (director of strategic markets, TRC)
- Patricia D. Beebe (president and CEO, Food Bank of Delaware)
- Tom Neylon, vice chair, finance (vice president and tax/corporate finance, Syngenta)
- Andy Larmore, vice chair, strategic planning (vice president, Bayshore Transportation)
- Ali Khan, vice chair, governance (service manager, Barclays)
- Shawn Williams, vice chair, advancement (vice president and relationship manager, commercial lending Delaware division, Bryn Mawr Trust Co.)
The following business and community leaders have been appointed to the Board of Directors:
- Ruth Mayer (retired educator and Food Bank volunteer)
- Steve Thompson (senior vice president, Chesapeake Utilities Corp.)
- Jason Jowers Esq. (partner, Morris James LLP)
- S. Renee Roberts (vice president, Community Reinvestment Act officer, TD Bank)
Accounting
Santora CPA Group announces promotion
Kevin J. Gobeil has been promoted to tax manager for Santora CPA Group.
He is a 2010 graduate of the University of Delaware with a bachelor of science degree in accounting. Gobeil worked part time during the 2013 tax season and joined the firm full time in May 2013. He received his CPA license from Pennsylvania in January 2013 and Delaware in February 2016. Kevin is a key member of the firm’s tax department, as well as a member of the American Institute and Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Nonprofit
Downtown Milford Inc. names new executive director
Steve Twilley has been named the new executive director for the board of directors of Downtown Milford, Inc.
A Milford resident for nearly 30 years, Twilley has an extensive background in nonprofit organizational management, public relations, marketing and funds development. He is an active volunteer and a past president of Second Street Players at Riverfront Theater in Milford, and served on its board of directors for more than 15 years. Most recently, he served as executive director of the Lewes Senior Center.
Twilley’s primary responsibilities will be to advocate for and build awareness of DMI’s goals and activities, and to work closely with all of DMI’s many partners and stakeholders to build upon the civic, commercial and cultural development of Milford’s downtown.
Health care
Nanticoke Physician Network welcomes new staff
Dr. Ismet Lukolic has joined the Nanticoke Physician Network. Lukolic received his doctor of medicine from St. George’s University School of Medicine in True Blue, Grenada. He completed his residency and fellowship in gastroenterology at the State University of New York and Downstate Medical Center in New York City.
Lukolic is involved in the New York City Medical Reserve Corps and acts as a volunteer medical officer to the Illyrian Society of Law Enforcement Officers, a fraternity of the NYPD.
Beebe Healthcare announces women’s health nurse navigator
Carrie Snyder has been hired as the new nurse navigator for Women’s Health with Beebe Healthcare.
Snyder will serve as a liaison between Beebe and the community to help community members navigate Beebe’s services. She will answer questions and help patients understand what screenings they may need or which physicians they should contact.
Business
Kevin Zavaglia has been appointed president of the Northeast market branch of Verizon Wireless. Based at the company’s market headquarters in Morristown, N.J., Zavaglia will oversee all business functions across the 10-state market including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, western Pennsylvania
and northern Delaware.
Education
Goldey-Beacom College announces new trustee
Noreen D. LaSorsa has been appointed as a new member of the board of trustees for Goldey-Beacom College.
LaSorsa is the assistant superintendent of instruction for the Christina School District. With 25 years of experience in the Christina School District, she has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and academic change leader. She served twice as principal of Christiana High School.
LaSorsa holds a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from West Chester University and a master’s degree in education and administration from Wilmington University.
