People on the Move – Nov. 13

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.

Cindy Small

Cindy Small, business advisor for the Delaware SBDC, has won the SBA Delaware Small Business Champion of the Year Award for 2020.

Small spent 20 years working in the Delaware tourism industry prior to joining the SBDC. She also has healthcare marketing experience; 13 years as a print media journalist and editor; and experience working in a wide array of roles including staff training; technical writing and communications for a publicly-traded company. In addition, she has owned two small businesses.

Small has received numerous awards including Delaware Tourism Person of the Year by then Governor Thomas Carper; numerous writing and photography awards and most recently was recognized by Kent County Levy Court for being a catalyst and founding board member of the Delaware Turf Sports Complex.

Jameer Nelson has joined the Delaware Blue Coats’, the NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, operations staff as Assistant General Manager.  

Nelson brings a lifetime of basketball experience and knowledge into his new role. The 14-year NBA veteran and former All-Star will provide valuable expertise to the 76ers’ scouting efforts, while assisting Blue Coats General Manager Matt Lilly in overseeing all aspects of basketball operations for the Blue Coats.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jameer Nelson to the organization as he takes the next step in his storied basketball career,” Lilly said in a statement. “Jameer is a natural fit given his tremendous playing career, deep industry relationships and strong connection to our communities on and off the court. I am eager to work with him as we continue to grow our program in Delaware.”

As an All-Star during the 2008-09 season, Nelson helped lead Orlando to the franchise’s second-ever NBA Finals appearance. His 3,501 career assists are the most in Magic franchise history, while he ranks second all-time in career games played (651), third in three-pointers made (874), and fifth in both points (8,184) and steals (619).

“I can’t wait to get started. I am energized by the chance to help shape this organization’s future,” Nelson said in a statement to press. “I want to thank the 76ers and Blue Coats for the opportunity, and I look forward to using what I learned during my playing career to identify and elevate talent within our program.”

The Chester native and former Saint Joseph’s standout famously led the Hawks to a perfect 27-0 regular-season record during the 2003-04 season.

Joan Lyons, Executive Director of the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington has announced her retirement, effective December 31, 2020. Lyons joined the Seamen’s Center in 2000 as the Executive Director and has expanded the program to include 45 volunteers that keep the Center open 7 days a week.  

Following her retirement, Christine Lassiter will take over the role of Executive Director. Lassiter has worked at the Center for 5 years and brings not only passion for the mission, but true dedication and experience to continue the growth of the program. Lassiter previously worked for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (Pfizer) for 20 years. She holds an MBA from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, a B.S. in Business Administration from Cabrini (College) University, is currently working on obtaining a Non-Profit Management Graduate Certificate from the University of Connecticut, and serves as Vice President on the Board of Trustees at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Wilmington.

(L-R) Christine Lassiter and Joan Lyons

A 501(c)3 non-profit, the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington mission is to greet and assist seafarers arriving in the First State, including the Port of Wilmington, Delaware City Refining Company and Oceanport, LLC.

Erik Raser-Schramm will join the Meyer administration in New Castle County as deputy Chief Administration Officer to oversee limiting the spread of COVID-19, protecting the most vulnerable, and working to build the county back better. Raser-Schramm was formerly the Chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party. 

“We pledged to hire the best and brightest to run your county government, and we are excited to add Erik to the team, said County Executive Meyer in a statement. “He is an all-star.”

“I’m eager to join County Executive Meyer’s administration, and their efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Raser-Schramm. “We are able to overcome so much more if we work together, and I’m looking forward to joining that fight.”

Raser-Schramm is no stranger to public service, having worked in Legislative Hall as the Chief of Staff for the Delaware House of Representatives majority caucus for five years. He has also held positions with the Kelly Heinz-Grunder Brain Tumor Foundation, and policy advisory for former Governor Ruth Ann Minner. He is also a former educator having taught special education in the Christina School District.

Dr. Saundra DeLauder and Jarso J. Saygbe of Delaware State University have been announced by the Delaware ACE Women’s Network as this year’s recipients of their top annual awards.

(L-R) Dr. Saudra DeLauder and Jarso J. Saygbe

Dr. Saundra DeLauder, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, will be honored next month as the recipient of the 2020 DAWN Leadership Award. After arriving at Del State in 2013 as the Dean of Graduate Studies, she was later elevated to Vice Provost of Academic Affairs. In January 2020, Dr. DeLauder became the first woman to be appointed Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs in the 129-year history of the University.

She is the daughter-in-law to the late Dr. William B. DeLauder, president of Delaware State University from 1987-2003. He is the father of her husband, William B. DeLauder, Jr.

Jarso J. Saygbe, Associate Vice President of Academic Advisement, will also receive the 2020 DAWN Rising Star Award. Ms. Saygbe began her tenure at Del State in 2012 as the Director of Advisement for the then-College of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology. After leaving the University in 2016 to work in Liberia, she returned in 2018 as the executive director of Academic Advisement and later promoted to Associate Vice President over that area.

The awards will be presented during a virtual ceremony on Nov. 12.

Julian Burzynski has been announced as the new East U.S. Region President of Breakthru Beverage Group, a leading North American beverage distributor.

Burzynski will work to implement the company’s long-term strategic initiatives to drive the business forward, oversee the company’s cross-functional alignment in the region, improve agility and pace of decision-making, while ultimately accelerating performance for the organization and its customers. 

“Julian is a proven leader with an unmatched reputation for delivering results, most recently leading our Canadian business where he oversaw steady year-over-year sales growth and a number of strategic investments and partnerships that helped solidify Breakthru as the top broker agent in the country,” said E. Lloyd Sobel, Breakthru’s Chief Commercial Officer. “He is a nimble and innovative leader with a proven track record of sustained performance for suppliers and customers. Julian will inherit an excellent foundation built by his predecessor, retiring East U.S. Region President Kevin Dunn, and I have no doubt he will thrive in his new role.” 

Burzynski has deep understanding and experience for both navigating change and implementing innovative capabilities and will leverage these insights to help build momentum for Breakthru’s digital and e-commerce strategy and initiatives. Working closely with state-level EVPs, he will be charged with driving effectiveness and efficiency while maintaining a strong leadership and talent development focus that supports an inclusive organization at all levels. 

“The East Region is well positioned for continued growth and I see an incredible opportunity to enhance how we support our local markets and leverage our capabilities to accelerate overall business performance for Breakthru and our partners,” said Burzynski in a statement. “I look forward to working with the strong team in place to help drive our business forward in this region.” 

A well rounded and accomplished industry veteran with more than 30 years’ experience across the supplier and wholesale tiers, Burzynski has developed and maintained steadfast relationships with key suppliers, customers and colleagues while serving in key executive sales and general management roles. Most recently, he has been President, Canada where he effectively led the organization to higher levels of service and growth across the country.

Javier Torrijos has been honored by Delaware Technical Community College for his commitment to the Hispanic community and culture in northern Delaware at its 11th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Honoree Celebration.

A number of dignitaries recognized Mr. Torrijos for his service, including Governor John Carney; Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long; and New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer who declared November 11, 2020, to be Javier Torrijos Day in New Castle County.

Javier Gilberto Torrijos PE, is a registered professional engineer in the state of Delaware with over 30 years of experience in roadway and bridge construction management. He is the founder and owner of TORREngineering LLC, a Hispanic minority disadvantaged engineering consulting firm.

Previously, Torrijos was the assistant director of construction for DelDOT, and he is a member of the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) First State Chapter and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). He received his bachelor of science in civil engineering from Drexel University in 1987. Some of his notable projects in Delaware include the construction of US 301, the construction of the SR1 expressway, I-95 fifth lane widening, I-95 Newark Toll Plaza high speed E-Z pass lane improvements, I-95/SR1 interchange construction, and I-495 emergency bridge repairs.

Torrijos is an active volunteer, serving on the Delaware Hispanic Commission since its inception by then-Governor Jack Markell in September of 2011. In late 2012, he was named the chairman of the Delaware Hispanic Commission. In 2013, he received the Latin American Community Center’s Distinguished Hispanic Delawarean Award, and in 2016 he received the “Estrella” award from the Delaware Hispanic Awards. He served on then-Governor Markell’s task force for the Driving Privilege Card in 2014/2015 and helped advocate for the passing of the Driving Privilege Card in 2015.

Torrijos believes in serving and building communities, and has volunteered for various non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Amazing Grace, and Team Upward.

Mr. Torrijos lives in Delaware with his wife of 35 years, Deborah, who has her own company, Expressions from the Heart, which provides professional language services for the Deaf, Hispanic, Deaf-Latino and French/Haitian communities. They have two children, Natanael and Jose, and three grandchildren: Daniel, Eliana, and Isabella.

Santora CPA Group has  announced the following promotions:

Kathryn Diseroad CPA has been promoted to Senior Accountant.  She joined SCG in August 2018 after interning during the summer of 2017.  Diseroad is a 2018 graduate of the University of Delaware with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and Finance.

Kevin Gobiel CPA has been promoted to Senior Tax Manager.  He joined SCG in January 2013.  Gobiel is a 2010 graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.  

Paul Specht CPA has been promoted to Senior Accountant.  He joined SCG in August 2018 after interning during the summers of 2016 and 2017.  Specht is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting (2017) and a Master’s Degree in Accounting (2018).

Evan Brabson CPA has been promoted to Senior Accountant.  He joined SCG in December 2019.  Brabson is a 2017 graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.

Brandon Heggan CPA has been promoted to Senior Accountant.  He joined SCG in August 2018 after interning during the summer of 2017.  Heggan is a 2018 suma cum laude graduate of the University of Delaware with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and Finance.  He was recently awarded the 2019 Elijah Watt Sells Award from the AICPA for exceptional performance while taking the Uniform CPA Examination.