Monastra accepts exec post at BDO USA

[caption id="attachment_17110" align="alignleft" width="300"] Samuel Monastra[/caption]

Samuel Monastra joined BDO Wilmington as a Business Development Manager. Sam will focus on expanding the BDO client footprint in the Wilmington marketplace.

BDO USA, LLP is a U.S. professional services firm providing assurance, tax, financial advisory and consulting services to a wide range of publicly traded and privately held companies.

Realtors association installs new officers

[caption id="attachment_17107" align="alignleft" width="300"] Robert F. McVey Jr.[/caption]

Robert F. McVey Jr., a broker-owner at Mann & Sons Inc. in Rehoboth Beach, was installed recently as president of the 3,700-member Delaware Association of Realtors (DAR) for 2016.

As president, McVey will preside at all meetings of the DAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee, represent the association at important meetings and business functions, and act as the official spokesperson for the association on issues related to the real estate industry and local housing market.

Additionally, he will represent DAR and its members on the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Board of Directors, and will also serve as an ex-officio member of all state association committees and work groups.

Prior to serving as 2015 DAR president-elect, McVey was vice president and served several years on the Finance and Public Policy committees, as well as the DAR Board of Directors.

Other 2016 newly installed DAR officers: Bruce Plummer, president-elect; Stephen Marcus, vice president; William Lucks, treasurer; Camilla Conlon, director-at-large; and Robert Harman Sr., National Association of Realtors director.

Located in Dover, the Delaware Association of Realtors is a professional trade organization with more than 3,700 members.

Attorney Joseph Rhoades to head oversight panel

[caption id="attachment_17109" align="alignleft" width="300"] Joseph J. Rhoades[/caption]

Joseph J. Rhoades, founding partner of the law firm of Rhoades & Morrow LLC, was appointed by Gov. Jack Markell to the chairmanship of the State of Delaware Workers' Compensation Oversight Panel.

The panel is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the regulation of the workers' compensation system in Delaware and making recommendations to the governor and the legislature in an effort to control the cost of workers' compensation insurance in Delaware.

Rhoades is former president of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association and a trial attorney who has represented injured Delawareans for over 30 years.

Dan Rattay named of CBRE Broker of the Year for third time

[caption id="attachment_17108" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dan Rattay[/caption]

Harvey, Hanna & Associates Inc. (HHA) announced that Dan Rattay of CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) has been selected as its 2015 Broker of the Year.  This is the third time in the last four years that Rattay has received this honor.

Rattay was instrumental in bringing CEVA Logistics to its first Delaware location, leasing 125,000 square feet of warehouse, office, and distribution space at 800 Ships Landing Way at the Twin Spans Business Park, HHA's 21st Century business campus in New Castle. 

Twin Spans Business Park features 2 million square feet of Class A commercial warehouse space spread across 135 acres of land along the Delaware River.

"Dan's accomplishments remain significant for our continued success, again and continue to demonstrate his many attributes of grit, determination, innovation, and a commitment to excellence," said Thomas J. Hanna, HHA vice president and chief operating officer.

In recognition of Rattay's achievements, HHA will donate $3,000 in the name of CB Richard Ellis to The Delaware KIDS (Kids In Distressed Situations) Fund, established by HHA to support a wide array of causes for local youth, including specialized support for hunger, shelter, and tuition scholarships. Since inception, The Delaware KIDS Fund has donated $71,000 to local charitable organizations serving kids.

Fronczkowski named partner at accounting firm

Edward Fronczkowski has been named Partner at Maillie, a regional public accounting firm with offices in Wilmington, Mont Clare, Pa., and West Chester, Pa.

Fronczkowski joined Maillie in 1997, and has experience with clients in the areas of real estate, retail and service industries, not-for-profits and government organizations.  He also has expertise in tax and auditing. In addition, Ed plays a key role in the firm's employee benefit plan auditing practice.

Claibourne Smith named trustee emeritus at DSU

Claibourne D. Smith attended his last regular meeting as a longtime member of the Delaware State University Board of Trustees on Jan. 21, culminating his 28 years of DSU service by being presented the honor of trustee emeritus.

As trustee emeritus, Smith will be welcomed to attend board meetings in a non-voting capacity. Dr. Smith's current appointment expires on Feb. 16.

As Delaware's chief executive in 1988, then Gov. Michael N. Castle appointed Dr. Smith to the board, whose service to the university totaled 28 years - including more than 20 years as board chairman and 16 months as acting president of the institution.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty honors employees

Management, agents, and staff of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty held their annual company meeting last month and honored the following groups:

Sales and Rentals Awards:

• Chairman's Circle Diamond Award - Over $100 Million in Sales Volume: The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group.
• Chairman's Circle Platinum Award - Over $18 Million in Sales Volume: The Andy Staton Group.
• President's Circle - Over $7.5 Million in Sales Volume: Barbara Morales Associates, Laurie Bronstein, and The Lurty Team.
• Leading Edge Society - Over $5 Million in Sales Volume: Lana Warfield, Joanne Young, Beth Evans, and Cindy Baker.
• Honor Society - Over $3.5 Million in Sales Volume: Joe Choma, Jill Cicierski, Kathy Ford, Jeremy Smith, David Plivelich, and Denise Moore.
• Platinum Club Rental Award - Over $185,000 in Gross Commission: Melanie Anderson.
• Gold Club Rental Awards - Over $120,000 in Gross Commission: Carolyn Turner, Rachel Cooper, Alyssa Bishop, Maureen Kyritsis, Kim Rebman, and Angela Yerton.

The company presented its second annual Community Service Award to sales agent Chris Beagle.