Wilmington Leaders Alliance names There du Pont, Bob Perkins to top spots

The Wilmington Leaders Alliance (WLA) last week named There du Pont, president of Longwood Foundation, as chairman of the group’s executive board. It also named Robert W. Perkins, executive director of the Delaware Business Roundtable, as executive Director of WLA.

WLA is a coalition of 30 businesses, civic organizations and foundations, launched in the Spring of 2017, committed to working together to support positive change in Wilmington.

Paul McConnell, partner in McConnell Johnson Real Estate, served as chairman prior to du Pont.

“Paul did a masterful job in helping to found and guide the creation of WLA since its inception, and all of our members appreciate the time, effort and resources Paul has dedicated to making Wilmington a better place to live and work,” du Pont said. “WLA is well positioned to help promote positive change in our four areas of focus ““ economic development, leadership, livability and education.”

Du Pont’s past experience includes serving as an independent director of The DuPont Company prior to its merger with Dow. He has also held executive positions in drugstore.com and Wawa, Inc.

Perkins is president of the consulting firm Brandywine Public Strategies. In the past, he’s served in executive positions at AstraZeneca. He will continue to lead the Delaware Business Roundtable.

“The effort WLA members have undertaken is critical to the success of Wilmington and to the entire State of Delaware,” Perkins said. “WLA is a great example of how the business community is stepping up to help drive progress in the City, and I welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with both public and private sector leaders.”