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.
Dot Foods, Inc., food redistributor, announces Dick Tracy the new chief executive officer. Tracy joined the family business in 1991 and has served as the president of Dot Foods since 2017.
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Dick Tracy | PHOTO COURTESY OF DOT FOOD[/caption]
“I am excited about this next chapter for our business,” Tracy said. “We are seeing a lot of exciting growth, and it’s great to be in that position, especially coming off the turbulence of the pandemic and the subsequent recovery. We’re fortunate to have incredible leaders across Dot, and the changes and new roles we’re announcing today allow us to use their talents in new ways.”
With Tracy's promotion, George Eversman has been named the new president of Dot. Eversman has been a part of the Dot family for nearly 30 years, serving in a variety of sales and business development roles. As president, he is now responsible for the day-to-day management of Dot’s overall business.
Cullen Andrews has been promoted to executive vice president. In addition to taking on some of Eversman’s former business development responsibilities, Andrews, a 20-year Dot employee, now leads all channels of sales, customer service, and marketing.
Delaware Office of the State Treasurer announces Jordan Seemans deputy state treasurer. Prior to joining the Office of the State Treasurer in 2020, Seemans served as the Director of Legislative Affairs in the Office of Governor John Carney.
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Jordan Seemans | PHOTO COURTESY OF OST[/caption]
Since coming to the Office of the State Treasurer, Seemans made an immediate impact on the policy development and community engagement of the office. Seemans helped lead the development, drafting, and passing of the Delaware Expanding Access for Retirement and Necessary Saving (“EARNS”) Act, a milestone achievement that will help thousands of Delaware employees realize retirement security. Additionally, he oversaw the successful passage of various other legislative initiatives including a new tax deduction. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Aspire529 program, a new program for youth experiencing or aging out of the foster care system to help them pay for expenses related to college or vocational training.
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Mathew Williams | PHOTO COURTESY OF UAP[/caption]
Urban Acres Produce appoints
Mathew Williams executive director
to oversee the re-launch, expansion, and growth in providing access to healthy foods and addressing the pressing problems of health disparities in low-income Wilmington families. Williams will take the helm as the organization looks toward a soft re-launch and eyes expansion and growth in Wilmington in its ongoing efforts to provide access to healthy, fresh foods to areas designated as ‘food desert neighborhoods’ in the city of Wilmington and surrounding areas as well as addressing the problem of health disparities in low-income communities.
Williams is also the founder of Conscious Connections Inc. (CCI) and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He is the first African American alumni of Lead Delaware, an agricultural and natural resource leadership program designed to help build the next generation of leaders within the food and fiber industries. He is also an alumnus of the Pennsylvania Rural-Urban Leadership Program.
Goldey-Beacom College (GBC) announces Sarah ElShawarby has been promoted to director of human resources and Leilani Decena-Shepherd has been appointed to the Title IX coordinator.
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Sarah ElShawarby | PHOTO COURTESY OF GBC[/caption]
ElShawarby responsibilities include fostering a culture of continuous improvement and meaningful work, compliance, benefits, employee relations, talent management and performance management. She supports the College’s mission to create and sustain a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.
“We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Sarah ElShawarby as our new director of human resources. Our HR strategy, the development of our co-workers and leadership, recruitment of talented individuals and building efficient processes will be central to our success and growth. I am confident that Sarah, with her experience and knowledge, will help us move forward, redefining what HR looks like at the College.” Dr. Charles “Chuck” Hammond, vice president for operations and planning said in a statement.
ElShawarby joined the College in 2019 as a human resources coordinator and was later promoted to assistant director of human resources where she was responsible for processing payroll, benefits and employee relations. During that time, she also served as the Title IX deputy coordinator. She began her career in human resources in 2017 at a small company without a human resources department. While managing a small team, they recognized her passion for improving the employee experience, labor law and compliance. As the company expanded, she was selected to establish the human resources department. ElShawarby holds a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting and Information Systems, both from Virginia Tech.
Decena-Shepherd serves as the primary compliance officer for state and federal laws relating to sexual misconduct and violence prevention. She manages the College’s efforts to ensure that faculty, staff and students are aware of their legal rights under Title IX as well as through the institution’s policies, procedures and practices. In addition to Title IX, she serves in the human resources department where she is responsible for training and development for the College’s faculty and staff.
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Leilani Decena-Shepherd | PHOTO COURTESY OF GBC[/caption]
Previously, Decena-Shepherd worked for Delaware’s Division of Small Business, formerly known as the Delaware Economic Development Office, where she served as a portfolio administrator and was integral to the Council on Development Finance Committee. She has also served as an AmeriCorps member and worked for the Delaware Tourism Office. She is an award-winning television producer and writer, as well as a former television anchor and reporter. Decena-Shepherd holds a B.S. in Radio, Television and Film from Temple University and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology from Delaware Technical Community College. She lives in Pike Creek where she enjoys spending time with her family.
Sallie Mae announces
Steven J. McGarry, executive vice president and chief financial officer, has entered into a retention agreement with the company. He will remain an employee of Sallie Mae and continue to serve as CFO through February 2024 when he plans to retire. During this time, McGarry will assist with the selection of the next CFO and will facilitate the orderly transition of the role to his successor.
McGarry joined Sallie Mae in 1997 as a director of investments and has served in a variety of financial roles during his more than 25 years tenure at the company. McGarry has served as CFO for nine years and has been the lead financial spokesperson for the company while overseeing finance, accounting, treasury activities, as well as equity and fixed-income investor relations. He was instrumental in the evolution of Sallie Mae from a government-sponsored enterprise to a private company, including the establishment of Sallie Mae Bank as well as the company’s role today as the market leader for private student lending.
“Steve has been a steady and valued leader at Sallie Mae for nearly three decades,” Jon Witter, CEO, Sallie Mae, said. “His strategic vision, sound judgment, and commitment to financial discipline and operational efficiency has helped us consistently deliver for customers and shareholders and has been integral to our company’s success. He’s been a trusted adviser to me, our entire executive leadership team, and our Board of Directors and he will certainly be missed when he retires next year. We wish him the very best.”
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Jeni Head | PHOTO COURTESY OF WGA[/caption]
Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC announces the appointment of three senior accountants Jeni Head, MaKayla Vidal, CPA, and Joan Wilson, CPA, MBA.
Head comes to the firm with over 20 years of accounting experience in various capacities. Her specialties include employee benefit plans, not-for-profit organizations, partnership and individual taxes. Head is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and will be involved with both the firm’s audit and tax practices.
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MaKayla Vidal | PHOTO COURTESY OF WGA[/caption]
Vidal, CPA, is a graduate of Lamar University in Texas and specializes in not-for-profit organizations and financial statement preparation. Vidal states, “I really enjoy new challenges, and I’m looking forward to being part of the team.” Vidal, like Head, will be involved in both the firm’s audit and tax practices.
Wilson, CPA, MBA, brings 25 years of accounting experience to WGA. Her specialties include not-for-profit organizations, closely-held businesses, low-income housing, retirement plans, S-corps, partnerships, and individual tax. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Wilson has also served as an accounting instructor at a local college and a professional accounting society.
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Joan Wilson | PHOTO COURTESY OF WGA[/caption]
President and Managing Director Joseph V. Giordano said, “We’re very happy that Jeni, MaKayla, and Joan have joined our team. Each one of them brings a unique set of talents that will help us continue to deliver outstanding service to our clients. We look to hire good humans who care for others, and these three certainly meet those criteria. Putting our clients and our team first has been our winning strategy for 50 years and will help us prosper for our next 50.”
Richard Fleischer extends his leadership position as president of Coldwell Banker Realty in Central Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware, overseeing the daily operations of the company's 11 offices which support approximately 850 affiliated agents in nine counties in central Pennsylvania and Delaware. This is an extension of his responsibilities overseeing 27 offices and 2,500 affiliated agents as president for Coldwell Banker Realty in the Mid-Atlantic region which serves the communities of Greater Baltimore, Greater Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and the coastal regions in Maryland and Delaware.
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Richard Fleischer | PHOTO COURTESY OF CBR[/caption]
Prior to his role in the Mid-Atlantic, Fleischer served as the regional vice president of Coldwell Banker Realty in Florida, the state’s largest residential brokerage. He managed operations for the East Central region, overseeing 25 branch and satellite offices in the Orlando metro and on the Atlantic coast, from Flagler County south through Melbourne to Palm Beach and Boca Raton. Supporting more than 1,100 sales agents, Fleischer doubled the productivity of the sales offices, grew the region organically and rapidly increased profitability while in that role.
In 2004, Fleischer began his career with Coldwell Banker, and has held various leadership roles with the company. During his tenure, he has managed numerous teams and divisions, gaining multi-faceted experience in various real estate sectors throughout the United States in New England, Florida, southern California and in his present capacity as president in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and central Pennsylvania. Fleischer earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from The Pennsylvania State University.
Widener University announces Shoshana Kohn-Kutny has joined Delaware Law School as communications manager. Kohn-Kutny joined the law school last month after spending three years as communications manager for Middle States Association in Philadelphia.
As communications manager, Kohn-Kutny is responsible for increasing the visibility and reputation of the law school through brand storytelling and media relations across traditional and digital platforms. Her role cultivates relationships with law school leadership, faculty, staff and students to develop strategic communications and public relations initiatives She reports to Widener University Executive Director of Communications Mary Allen.
Kohn-Kutny holds an undergraduate degree in business and technical writing from University of Delaware and a master’s degree in Jewish studies from Gratz College with a certificate in Holocaust studies. Before her time at Middle States where she was founding member of the association’s DEI committee, her experience includes teaching creative writing and English for Delaware Technical and Community College and Goldey-Beacom College. Additionally, she worked as the editor-in-chief of the Jewish Voice and the communications outreach manager for DETV in Wilmington.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) announces
E. Anders Kolb, M.D., as its new president and chief executive officer.
In his new role, Dr. Kolb will lead the
$500 million organization in its mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for blood cancer patients and their families. He is joining the only cancer and healthcare organization in the not-for-profit category that made Fast Company's 2022 Brands that Matter List. An organization with a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, and the only superior ranking in Cause Reports latest analysis of eight of the largest chronic disease organizations.
Dr. Kolb most recently served as Chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology of Nemours Children's Health, Delaware Valley, Director of the Moseley Foundation Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders, and Vice Chairman for Research in the Department of Pediatrics at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at
Thomas Jefferson University. He joined Nemours in 2007 and previously served as program director of blood and bone marrow transplantation. Over his tenure, Moseley Foundation Institute has grown from a community-based hematology and oncology division to a nationally recognized and federally funded multi-site pediatric center for treatment of cancer and blood disorders.
Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC (WGA) name Lisa K. DeRose, CPA, CGMA, its first official chief operating officer. DeRose will oversee the firm’s day-to-day operations in addition to her existing roles as Director of the Tax Department, leader of the Tax Committee, and the partner in charge of human resources.
DeRose has over 30 years of experience. She joined WGA as a partner in 2013 and is a steadfast leader committed to the firm’s success. DeRose is a recognized community leader who has a strong commitment to mentoring. She helped found the Delaware chapter of the ACE Mentor Program in 2010. This program has given over $100,000 in scholarships to high school students interested in building design and construction careers. Since 2001 she has served as Treasurer to the Delaware chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association. She has received awards from both the ACE Mentor Program and Delaware Today Magazine.
CEO Joseph A. Giordano, CPA, CGMA, said, “We were aware of Lisa’s excellent administrative, technical, and interpersonal skills well before she came to our firm, and we were fortunate when she joined us. Her leadership made a major contribution to the tax department and the various tax services we offer and has been instrumental in developing several of our tax professionals. In addition, she has taken on additional responsibilities, which include administrative duties and practice development.”
The Innovation Space™ announces the expantion of its team with Anne Stamer. She has over 20 years of experience with startup accelerators, leadership, and business coaching. She most recently spent time as the director of a student-facing accelerator at the University of Pennsylvania. Stamer will lead the Spark Factory™, the month-long mentoring program where founders develop and improve their business pitch while receiving feedback from our Startup Mentors, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and other experts.
Dario Vasquez will develop partnership and ecosystem connections across the MidAtlantic and support The Innovation Space™ relationships with universities and students. Vasquez brings strong experience with managing entrepreneurship programs at Columbia University including the NSF I-Corps program, startup bootcamps, and pitch competitions.
Literacy Delaware announces the addition of new Board Member Kathleen Seeman. She is an award-winning reading and dyslexia specialist who has spent her career working with non-readers in classroom settings and private practice creating successful programming and having a 100% success rate with teaching children to read. Seeman was early to apply Positive Psychology in classrooms, spawning a local movement and speaks globally and the effects of Reading Trauma.
Seeman is an advocate, lobbyist and community organizer who is passionate about reducing Delaware’s illiteracy rate as well as the nations. She founded the Delaware Reading Summit and brought together the state’s stakeholders to build consensus around the Science of Reading. As a lobbyist, Seeman testified in front of the Senate and House Education Committees to help ensure several pieces of key reading legislation were passed and currently works with other states to create successful Science of Reading legislative campaigns.
