People on the Move – May 14

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.

Maggie Cellitto | PHOTO COURTESY OF SODEL CONCEPTS

Maggie Cellitto has been promoted to corporate chef of SoDel Concepts.  

Cellitto was previously the executive chef at Matt’s Fish Camp in Bethany Beach, and will continue to oversee that restaurant, as well as NorthEast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View and Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar in Bethany Beach.

Cellitto grew up in the Bethany area and credits John DelVeccio of DelVeccio’s Bakery for inspiring her to pursue a culinary arts career. Cellitto received a degree in baking and pastry arts from the Art Institute of Philadelphia and an associate degree in culinary management. 

In 2020, Delaware Today magazine named her a Rising Star Chef.  Her promotion is evidence of the company’s continued growth. SoDel Concepts has 12 restaurants, and Matt’s Fish Camp in Fenwick Island will open early this summer. Ocean View Brewing Company will open next year.

“We’re very excited about our company’s growth,” noted Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts. “There is a lot of opportunities right now, and chefs like Maggie have so much to share with ambitious people. She will be an excellent mentor.”

Sara Pletcher | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF MILFORD/JOHN MOLLURA PHOTOGRAPHY

Sara Pletcher has been hired by the city of Milford for the newly created economic development & community engagement administrator position.  In this role, Pletcher is responsible for planning, directing, and administering comprehensive economic development and business assistance programs for Milford.

“Sara has extensive experience in the Milford business community and her past work in promoting Downtown Milford is an example of her passion to see economic growth in this area. Promoting our city’s potential for business opportunities will be a key function of her position. Her marketing background will serve the city well and we are excited to have her part of the Milford city team.” 

Pletcher joins Milford after four years at Zephyr Conferences where she managed five international beer, wine and food conferences, as well as six and half years at MilfordLIVE. She was previously the president of Downtown Milford and served on the Milford Planning Commission.

“I’m excited to be working for the city in this new role and commend City Council for their foresight in funding this position,” Pletcher said.  “I am ingrained in the success of the city and fully understand the potential this position can bring to the City, its business community and community at-large.”

A 2008 graduate of Immaculata University in Chester County, PA and 2016 graduate of Wilmington University, earning her master’s degree in Marketing Management, Pletcher resides in Magnolia and enjoys playing with her Weimaraner puppy, volunteering on DMI’s Promotion Committee, shopping local and exploring craft breweries.

Paul Weagraff | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DELAWARE DIVISION OFTHE ARTS

Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock announced the retirement of Paul Weagraff, Director of the Division of Arts, following 24 years of service. Weagraff will serve through the end of July. 

“Paul and I have served together through the bookends of two great challenges to our arts community: The Great Recession and now COVID-19. We have weathered both, in no small part because of his strong leadership. All Delawareans owe Paul our gratitude and thanks for a job well done,” said Secretary Bullock. 

“In the past fourteen months, Paul not only led the Division of Arts during a global pandemic, he also ensured that arts organizations in Delaware had the tools and resources to survive. His leadership and experience will be missed at the State Department, and I am confident that he will continue to do great work for the arts community and to the people of the First State.”

“It has been my honor to have spent the past 24 years with the Division of the Arts,” said Weagraff. 

“I am proud of the team that we have, and all that we’ve been able to accomplish. Most importantly, I can think of no sector closer to my heart than the arts sector. The people in it, the services they provide, and the impact they have on our communities are truly inspiring.” 

Weagraff was appointed in October 2006 to lead the Division of Arts. Previously, beginning in 1997, Weagraff served as the Arts in Education Coordinator where he worked with schools and arts organizations throughout the state to develop partnerships that sought to build arts curriculum and learning. In 2001, he assumed the position of Deputy Director, assisting in the management of the division’s internal projects and programs.  

Jennifer Richburg | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LISA MATHENA GROUP

Jennifer Richburg has joined the Lisa Mathena Group as a sales associate.

“We are excited to announce that Jennifer has joined our team of highly trained professionals,” said Lisa Mathena. “We look forward to the energetic partnership Jennifer has created by deciding to join our award-winning team and company.”

Richburg specializes in residential real estate and is focused on working with first-time buyers as well as investors. Jennifer will work tirelessly to make certain that her clients’ real estate experience is stress-free and successful. She is a member of the National Association of realtors, the Delaware Association of realtors, and the Kent County Association of realtors.

Prior to her real estate career, Richburg spent thirty-two years serving our country as an air traffic controller with the United States military and the Federal Aviation Administration. A native of South Carolina, Jennifer has been a Delaware resident since 1992 and currently resides in the Dover area. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, sports, reading, and vacationing in the Caribbean.

The Delaware Charter Schools Network (DCSN) has announced that Alessandro Iaia Hernandez of the Charter School of Wilmington (CSW) is a honoree in this year’s “30 Under 30 Changemakers”. Hernandez is a Latino Community Advocate and senior at CSW. He has helped create programs to push for equal treatment and opportunities for marginalized people, particularly those in the Latino community.  

 “Since Alessandro arrived at CSW in 2017, he has been blazing a path towards social justice in our school and community.  He founded the Asian Hispanic Empowerment Organization and our Hispanic Outreach Club, and lends his voice in writing columns, journals, and articles.  We are looking forward to seeing how Alessandro continues to impact change in the years to come. He is a community leader who is truly a “catalyst for social change,” said Dr. Robert Andrzejewski, CSW’s Interim President.   

“In a recent conversation I asked, how do we change the inequities, discrimination, and biases that are so prevalent in our world today? The answer that I received: the students that we have today. Alessandro and the work he is doing and has yet to do is evidence of this truth. I am honored to advocate for him and all of the others using their voice and their talents to make a difference in this world,” said Kendall Massett, executive director of the Delaware Charter Schools Network.  

Hernandez when discussing his work moving forward said, “I hope to continue my work in the community as I am part of a generation that recognizes the urgency of change. Despite my age – despite the distance I stand from a position of power – I know that I too can cast forward my “tiny ripple of hope” that will join forces with the work of my peers to ultimately fulfil a promise for a better tomorrow.”