People on the Move: Apr. 26
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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.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation named Lucia Dempsey the head of investor relations.
Lucia Dempsey | PHOTO COURTESY OF CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORP
Dempsey will be responsible for communicating to the investment community Chesapeake Utilities’ strategy and commitment to being a leader in delivering energy that ensures a more sustainable future for our service territories. Dempsey will serve as a key contact with the financial community, helping communicate the Company’s unique value proposition, investment opportunities and sustainability initiatives.
“Lucia joins Chesapeake Utilities following our 17th consecutive year of record earnings and on the heels of our transformative acquisition of Florida City Gas in 2023,” Beth Cooper, executive vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer and assistant corporate secretary, said. “As a key member of our team, Lucia will further advance our investor relations outreach and drive execution of our IR strategic plan. She will build upon our existing, valued relationships with the investment community while expanding our investor profile and seeking additional coverage.”
Dempsey has significant investor relations and investment banking experience in the finance and energy industries. Most recently, she was head of investor relations at Sunlight Financial, where she managed a SPAC acquisition and de-SPAC IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, among other accomplishments. Other previous roles include investment banking for Goldman Sachs & Co. and for Barclays Capital, and investor relations and rates and regulatory affairs roles for Portland General Electric.
Dempsey has an MBA from the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree in administration and finance from the University of Portland. She serves as a board member for Trail Blazers, a nonprofit organization that equips and empowers youth to build values for life through outdoor programs financially accessible to all.
Mark Dufendach | PHOTO COURTESY OF KSI
Kent-Sussex Industries announced Mark Dufendach has joined as senior executive vice president of finance. Dufendach received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Delaware, his Master of Business Administration degree from University of Notre Dame Graduate School of Business and his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Delaware.
Dufendach has provided financial oversight to several school districts including Milford, Polytech, Smyrna and Indian River School Districts. He also worked for the Department of Education and ended his career in education most recently as Superintendent of Polytech School District. Starting his new position with KSI this summer, Dufendach brings decades of valuable experience to KSI.
The AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education named Stacy Downing, chief administrator of Delaware State University Downtown, among the selected participants for the class of 2024-2025.
Stacy Downing | PHOTO COURTESY OF DSU
Downing has been a DSU administrator since 2013, when she began as the associate vice president of student affairs and was elevated to vice president of student affairs one year later. After the DSU acquired the Wesley College property in Dover, Del., Downing was named the chief administrator of the renamed DSU Downtown.
“The office of the president is very different than it was a decade ago, and a fundamental recognition is that the leadership tools of the past are not the same that will work in the future,” said Jason Lane, co-director of the institute, referencing the considerable challenges – from enrollment retention to increasing political attacks – that currently face presidents and chancellors. “Now more than ever, our higher education leaders need support and training to make difficult decisions and strategically guide their institutions through times of transformation.”
“We recognize that choosing to pursue the office of a president is a calling,” AGB Search Managing Principal and institute co-founder Rod McDavis, said. “Our institute offers the opportunity to create a different presidential leadership style to pursue that calling.”
