WILMINGTON — Words almost failed DiSabatino Construction President Larry DiSabatino when he was surprised with the annual Gilman Bowl honor by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m very honored and I wish I had more remarks to say,” DiSabatino said with a chuckle. “I started as a shop boy at my dad’s company and now we’re five generations strong. I’m very proud of our family here in Wilmington and we intend to continue along with this generational organization here. I’m very thrilled to receive this honor.”
The Gilman Bowl, the pinnacle of the 26th Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business, celebrates the contributions of business leaders in Delaware who work to benefit the community as well as their own field. Marvin S. Gilman, a celebrated developer and economist, has been long venerated as a true Delaware success story. The identity of the recipient of the Gilman Bowl is traditionally confidential until its presentation at the annual Superstars in Business luncheon held at the Hotel du Pont.
In the words of Delaware State Chamber of Commerce President Michael Quaranta, DiSabatino easily fit the bill of the qualifications to receive such an honor.
“[DiSabatino] has grown their business into one of the most respected commercial construction firms in Delaware… completing $1.5 billion projects since founding the company,” Quaranta told the hundreds of business leaders that gathered for the event. “Last year, after three years of advocacy, he helped secure $9 million in relief, officially known as the Delaware State Housing Authority market pressure relief fund for contracts affected contractors, contractors affected by material price escalation during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
DiSabatino is a fourth-generation builder in the First State who established DiSabatino Construction in 1981. He took the lessons taught by his father, Anthony, who ran his own contracting firm in the years following World War II and opened a high-quality, merit-shop construction in Delaware. In the four decades since, the company has branched out to maintenance – with DuPont as its first client – home building and apartment development.
It’s estimated that DiSabatino has personally overseen more than $1.5 billion in construction projects. The company has built offices, churches, schools, complex laboratory facilities, commercial developments and more.
A cornerstone to DiSabatino’s career is affordable housing, as his firm was a key player in building and renovating more than 3,000 low-income and subsidized housing units. Notable projects include the Riverside Redevelopment and the Flats Redevelopment.
Outside of the office, DiSabatino devoted hours of his time to several nonprofits, including the Delaware State Chamber’s Small Business Alliance and Superstars in Business Planning and Selection committees. Other notable leadership roles in nonprofits include the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Dickie Golf Outing for the Cancer Support Community, the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Delaware.
During the award ceremony at the 26th annual Superstars in Business luncheon, four small businesses and nonprofits were also honored for their impact in the communities. Other honorees include: Courageous Hearts, RiversEdge Advisors, Surf Bagel and the Delaware Nature Society.
The keynote speaker for the event was Meoli Companies President Mike Meoli who oversees the operations of more than two dozen McDonald’s franchises in Delaware and Maryland and is eying an expansion into Virginia soon. Although iconic brands like McDonalds can be found trading on the stock exchange and have been listed in Forbes and Fortune in the past, Meoli – and his parents – were among businesspeople who helped expand the brand across the globe.
He spoke about working at the McDonald’s his parents opened in 1972 and later buying some of the fast-food chains locations in Sussex County. Meoli shared some of the business acumen he gained through working shoulder-to-shoulder with his staff over the years, even though he did not have a traditional education in the industry.
“I didn’t believe I had what it took to run an organization this size, I didn’t have the education, the skill set, the money. And so I think all small business people, you have to reserve the right to get smarter and learn along the way. It’s different for everybody who looks to grow, whether in the corporate space or your own business,” Meoli said.
