DSCC Delaware Business - January/February 2017

DELAWARE

BUSINESS January/February 2017  $3.00

Annual Report 2016

A PUBLICATION OF THE

Periodicals

W E S TA N D F O R BUILDING R E L AT I O N S H I P S .

Whatever you’ve got planned, WSFS Bank can help make it happen.

At WSFS Bank, we prefer to do business your way. Always right around the corner, and ready to help you grow, diversify and thrive. We offer solutions to tackle challenges, make the most of opportunities, and better manage your finances along the way.

We’re WSFS Bank, and we stand for what’s possible. We Stand For Service.

©2016 Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB | Member FDIC | NMLS#417673

WSFSBANK.COM

/ 1.888.WSFSBANK

Senator Chris Coons greets Governor-elect John Carney at the 6th Annual Taste of Delaware event in Washington, D.C.. PHOTO BY NICK WALLACE

In this Issue Annual Report

Departments

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.............................................................................. 3 STATE CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS.................................................................. 4 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN.............................................................................. 5 2017 DELAWARE BUSINESS EDITORIAL CALENDAR................................................. 7

Member News and Notes..................... 11 Business Spotlight: The Precisionists, Inc. Nonprofit Spotlight: The Kenny Family Foundation

THE 2017 DSCC LEGISLATIVE AGENDA..................................................................... 9 DUPONT AND DELAWARE – THE NEXT CHAPTER.................................................... 29

Welcome New Members....................... 18

DELAWARE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE STUDY........................................................... 34

Chamber Scene...................................... 22

STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE: UNCLAIMED PROPERTY....................................... 38

Newsbites................................................ 54

COASTAL ZONE ACT................................................................................................. 40

Calendar of Events................................ 64

TASTE OF DELAWARE.............................................................................................. 42 THE PARTNERSHIP, INC............................................................................................ 44

Chamber Member Benefits.................. 68

SMALL BUSINESS ALLIANCE YEAR IN REVIEW....................................................... 46

Chamber Committees........................... 71

DELAWARE MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION.......................................................... 48

For Assistance, Contact the Chamber........................................... 72

DELAWARE PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE STATUS REPORT....................................... 50 THE AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE............................................................................ .52

On The Cover

Edward D. Breen, Chair of the Board and CEO of DuPont PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF

DELAWARE BUSINESS

Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2017

Volume 22, Number 1 / Delaware Business (USPS 012098) (ISSN 153253542) is published bi-monthly by the DSCC Center for Business Management. Subscription price is $18 a year (included in membership dues). Known office of publication is 1201 N. Orange St., Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Periodicals postage paid Wilmington, DE 19850. Postmaster: Send address changes to Delaware Business, c/o DSCC Center for Business Management, P.O. Box 671, Wilmington, DE 19899-0671. Telephone (302) 655-7221.

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

2016 Delaware State Chamber Staff

EDITORIAL STAFF Salvatore J. “Chip” Rossi A. Richard Heffron Chairman President

Denée Crumrine Editor

Christina Jones Graphic Design

Scott Malfitano CSC – Corporation Service Company Nicholas Marsini PNC Bank, Delaware, Retired Chad Moore The Bellmoor Inn & Spa Dennis M. Salter Summit Realty Advisors, Inc.

Mark Stellini Assurance Media, LLC Mark Turner WSFS Bank Richelle Vible Catholic Charities of Delaware Katie Wilkinson Fulton Bank, N.A.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Donald T. Fulton Salvatore J. “Chip” Rossi George J. Weiner Bank of America Associates VICE CHAIR Martha S. Gilman Gary R. Stockbridge Gilman Development Delmarva Power Company TREASURER Michael Houghton Barry Crozier Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Belfint, Lyons & Shuman Tunnell, LLP CHAIR

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

A. RICHARD HEFFRON PRESIDENT

DENÉE CRUMRINE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

LINDA D. ERIKSEN ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE

FRED MILLER ADVERTISING/RETENTION

MARIANNE K. ANTONINI SR. VICE PRESIDENT & CFO

JAMES DECHENE DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

KEN EVANS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

BILL OSBORNE INTERIM PRESIDENT, DPPI

CHERYL CORN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS

MARK A. DIMAIO DIRECTOR FOR GRASSROOTS AND RESEARCH

CHUCK JAMES SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

KELLY WETZEL EVENTS MANAGER, PROGRAM & COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

William R. Alan Delaware Community Foundation

John (Jack) Healy, III Healy Long & Jevin, Inc.

Theodore J. Prushinski Citizens Bank, N.A.

Tony Allen Bank of America

Rita P. Hollingsworth

James Randall Caldwell Staffing

Stephanie Andrzejewski AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP

Timothy J. Houseal Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP

Steve Baccino Delmarva Power

Christopher L. Kenny ShopRites of Delaware

Robert (Rob) Rider, Jr. O.A. Newton

Michael B. Berardi Wohlsen Construction Company

Richard Kenny ShopRites of Delaware, Retired

John S. Riley Ashland, Inc.

Murray Berstein Nixon Uniform Service, Retired

Bernhard Koch AAA Mid-Atlantic

William B. Robinson George & Lynch, Retired

Julian H. “Pete” Booker The SmartDrive Foundation

Nicholas P. Lambrow M&T Bank

Richard D. Rowland Rowland, Johnson & Co., PA

Jennifer Gimler Brady Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP

Richard H. LaPenta Insurance & Financial Services, LTD

Rhett Ruggerio Ruggerio Willson & Associates, LLC

Dr. Mark T. Brainard Delaware Technical Community College

Alan Levin SoDel Concepts

Robert L. Byrd The Byrd Group

Renee Lewandowski Agilent Technologies

Timothy J. Constantine Highmark Delaware, BCBS

Andy Lubin Delaware Financial Group

Fred C. Sears, II Delaware Community Foundation Retired Jeffery Sills Capital One William Smith Environmental Alliance

Thomas J. Cooper Cooper Realty Associates

Hinton J. Lucas, Jr. DuPont, Retired

W. Laird Stabler, III Laird Stabler & Associates, LLC

Charlie Copeland Associates International, Inc.

William E. Manning Saul Ewing, LLP

Grace Stockley FideliTrade, Incorporated

Ernest Dianastasis The Precisionists, Inc.

Guy Marcozzi Duffield Associates, Inc.

Richard K. Struthers Ashford Point

Brian DiSabatino EDiS Company

Paul M. McConnell McConnell Development, Inc.

Dian C. Taylor Artesian Water

E. Andrew DiSabatino EDiS Company, Retired

Bonnie Metz Verizon, Delaware

James A. Tevebaugh Tevebaugh Associates

Denis Dunn AT&T Delaware

Calvert Morgan, Jr. WSFS Bank

William M. Topkis

G. Kevin Fasic Cooch & Taylor, P.A.

Peter Morrow The Welfare Foundation

Jeffrey M. Fried Beebe Healthcare

Terry Murphy Bayhealth Medical Center

Julie Garner AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP

Janice E. Nevin, M.D, MPH Christiana Care Health System

Dave Hargadon TD Bank

Brian Nixon Invista

Pete Hayward University of Delaware Retired

Roy Proujansky, M.D. Nemours Children’s Healthcare System

Michael S. Uffner AutoTeam Delaware Clinton Walker Barclaycard US William S. Wallace JPMorgan Chase Robert W. Whetzel Richards, Layton & Finger Stuart Widom Calpine Harry L. Williams Delaware State University

STAFF

Marianne K. Antonini Sr. Vice President & CFO Cheryl Corn Executive Assistant to the President, Senior Vice President, Communications

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Greg Sawka Bancroft Construction Company

Kevin C. Broadhurst Comcast

A. Richard Heffron President

The mission of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is to promote an economic climate that strengthens the competitiveness of Delaware businesses and benefits citizens of the state. The Chamber will provide services members want; it will serve and be recognized as the primary resource on matters affecting companies of all sizes; and it will be the leading advocate for business with government in Delaware.

Stephan Lehm VanDemark & Lynch, Inc.

Michael Ratchford W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Denée Crumrine Communications Manager James DeChene Director, Government Relations Mark A. DiMaio Director for Grassroots and Research Linda D. Eriksen Accounting Associate Ken Evans Account Executive

Chuck James Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Fred Miller Advertising/Retention Bill Osborne Interim President, DPPI Kelly Wetzel Program & Communication Specialist

DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1201 NORTH ORANGE STREET, P.O. BOX 671 • WILMINGTON, DE 19899-0671 (302) 655-7221 • (800) 292-9507 • WWW.DSCC.COM

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017

DELAWARE BUSINESS

Message from the President

DREAM. DESIGN. SUCCEED.

BY RICH HEFFRON

We start this year with considerable turnover in our elected leadership; a new President, Governor, New Castle County Executive and Mayor of Wilmington. By the time you read this article all four will have their cabinets and staff in place. What remains the same are the issues that will need to be addressed. Included in the list of issues are: worrisome budget deficits, serious public safety challenges, increasing health care costs, education concerns relating to cost and performance compounded by the influence of social problems, a slowly expanding economy held back by sluggish middle class income growth, massive infrastructure needs, a regulatory process that impedes business expansion, and an opioid addiction epidemic. The decisions these leaders and corresponding legislative bodies make will have a parallel effect on each of their jurisdictions.

There will be a learning curve as each settle into their respective jobs. The good news for Delaware is that the three new leaders, along with the other local officials, are aware that they are facing the same issues, and that by working together they can accomplish much more in addressing these challenges. They also understand that partisan bickering, and ego games over who gets credit or who carries the greater burden, wastes time and energy.

They each acknowledge that the public has clearly expressed its distaste for this type of conduct when there are so many critical issues that affect their lives.

The business community has the responsibility to play a major role in helping to resolve these issues. There are difficult decisions to be made and some sacrifices will be necessary. I am confident that if we make a good faith effort by working together in seeking and implementing solutions we will see progress by the time we meet at next year’s Annual Dinner.

2000 Pennsylvania Avenue

Kennett Square, PA Philadelphia, PA Wilmington, DE www.bernardon.com

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

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2016 Board of Directors

2016 Board of Governors

CHAIR SALVATORE J. “CHIP” ROSSI BANK OF AMERICA

VICE CHAIR GARY R. STOCKBRIDGE DELMARVA POWER

WILLIAM R. ALAN DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

TONY ALLAN DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

STEPHANIE ANDRZEJEWSKI ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP

STEVE BACCINO DELMARVA POWER

MIKE B. BERARDI WOHLSEN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

MURRAY BERSTEIN NIXON UNIFORM SERVICE

TREASURER BARRY CROZIER BELFINT, LYONS & SHUMAN

DONALD T. FULTON GEORGE J. WEINER ASSOCIATES

JULIAN H. “PETE” BOOKER THE SMARTDRIVE FOUNDATION

JENNIFER GIMLER BRADY POTTER ANDERSON & CORROON LLP

MARK BRAINARD DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

KEVIN C. BROADHURST COMCAST

ROBERT L. BYRD THE BYRD GROUP

TIMOTHY J. CONSTANTINE HIGHMARK DELAWARE, BCBS

MARTHA S. GILMAN GILMAN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

MICHAEL HOUGHTON MORRIS, NICHOLS, ARSHT & TUNNELL, LLP

THOMAS J. COOPER COOPER REALTY ASSOCIATES

CHARLIE COPELAND ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

ERNEST DIANASTASIS THE PRECISIONISTS, INC.

BRIAN DISABATINO EDIS COMPANY

E. ANDREW DISABATINO EDIS COMPANY, RETIRED

DENIS DUNN AT&T DELAWARE

SCOTT MALFITANO CSC – CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY

NICHOLAS MARSINI PNC BANK, RETIRED

G. KEVIN FASIC COOCH & TAYLOR, P.A.

JEFFREY FRIED BEEBE HEALTHCARE

JULIE GARNER ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP

DAVE HARGADON TD BANK

PETE HAYWARD UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE RETIRED

JOHN (JACK) HEALY III HEALY LONG & JEVIN, INC.

CHAD MOORE THE BELLMOOR INN & SPA

DENNIS M. SALTER SUMMIT REALTY ADVISORS, INC.

RITA P. HOLLINGSWORTH CATHOLIC CHARITIES

TIMOTHY HOUSEAL YOUNG CONAWAY STARGATT & TAYLOR, LLP

CHRISTOPHER L. KENNY SHOPRITES OF DELAWARE

RICHARD KENNY SHOPRITES OF DELAWARE, RETIRED

BERNHARD KOCH AAA MID-ATLANTIC

NICHOLAS P. LAMBROW M&T BANK

MARK STELLINI ASSURANCE MEDIA

MARK TURNER WSFS BANK

RICHARD H. LAPENTA INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES, LTD

STEPHAN LEHM VANDEMARK & LYNCH, INC.

ALAN LEVIN SODEL CONCEPTS

RENEE LEWANDOWSKI AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES

ANDY LUBIN DELAWARE FINANCIAL GROUP

HINTON J. LUCAS, JR. DUPONT, RETIRED

RICHELLE VIBLE CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DELAWARE

KATIE WILKINSON FULTON BANK

WILLIAM E. MANNING SAUL EWING, LLP

GUY MARCOZZI DUFFIELD ASSOCIATES, INC.

PAUL M. MCCONNELL MCCONNELL DEVELOPMENT, INC.

BONNIE METZ VERIZON, DELAWARE

CALVERT MORGAN, JR. WSFS BANK

PETER MORROW THE WELFARE FOUNDATION

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Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Message from the Chairman

BY CHIP ROSSI TERRY MURPHY BAYHEALTH MEDICAL CENTER

JANICE E. NEVIN, M.D, MPH CHRISTIANA CARE HEALTH SYSTEM

BRIAN NIXON INVISTA

ROY PROUJANKSY THE NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

THEODORE J. PRUSHINSKI CITIZENS BANK

JAMES RANDALL CALDWELL STAFFING

MICHAEL RATCHFORD W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

ROBERT (ROB) RIDER, JR. O.A. NEWTON

JOHN S. RILEY ASHLAND, INC.

WILLIAM B. ROBINSON GEORGE & LYNCH, RETIRED

RICHARD D. ROWLAND ROWLAND, JOHNSON & CO., PA

RHETT RUGGERIO, RUGGERIO WILLSON & ASSOCIATES, LLC

GREG SAWKA BANCROFT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

FRED C. SEARS, II DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, RETIRED

JEFFERY SILLS CAPITAL ONE

WILLIAM SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE, INC.

W. LAIRD STABLER, III, ESQ. GRACE STOCKLEY LAIRD STABLER & FIDELITRADE ASSOCIATES, LLC INCORPORATED

RICHARD K. STRUTHERS ASHFORD POINT

DIAN C. TAYLOR ARTESIAN WATER

JAMES A. TEVEBAUGH TEVEBAUGH ASSOCIATES

WILLIAM M. TOPKIS DANIELS +TANSEY, LLP, RETIRED

MICHAEL S. UFFNER AUTOTEAM DELAWARE

CLINTON WALKER BARCLAYCARD US

WILLIAM S. WALLACE JPMORGAN CHASE

ROBERT W. WHETZEL RICHARDS, LAYTON & FINGER

STUART WIDOM CALPINE

HARRY L. WILLIAMS DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

Together, let’s build a better Delaware.

This is an exciting time for us. We’ve come a long way on behalf of the 2,800 companies we serve across the state… but we have more to do. As we begin the New Year, let’s maintain our resolve to create a statewide economic climate that enables all businesses to thrive.

Our primary objective is to act as advocates for businesses throughout the state. When Rich and the leadership team meet with Delaware’s Congressional delegation and the General Assembly, they are representing our unified voice on federal, state and local rules and regulations that affect how we do business. When key legislators join our Board of Governors meetings or networking events, we are offering you, our members, a way to share your points of view and ask questions about the things that are important to you.

The truth is, your voice has an impact on many things across the state — jobs, education, approval processes, budget issues and economic conditions in Delaware. We focus on these issues because you told us they are important to you. If your priorities shift to different areas of focus or ways of doing business, please let us know. We are your chamber and our goal is to help you achieve your goals.

With new leaders coming into office, we will have fresh eyes looking at the state of our state. Now is the time for all of us to come together to create a business environment that will last not just for our time, but for generations to come.

Delaware is our home and we have a vested interest in its success.

Achieving that success takes all of us — the public sector, the nonprofit community and businesses — working together to build something that we can all feel good about.

On behalf of our staff and the Board, thank you for your trust.

We will continue to work hard to serve you and together we can build a better Delaware.

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To learn how M&T can help your business, visit mtb.com/commercial.

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

Delaware Business magazine covered a variety of topics—from education to fitness to restaurants—in 2016.

Above, the covers of 2016.

DELAWARE BUSINESS 2017 EDITORIAL CALENDAR* The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Delaware Business is published six times a year, featuring a wide range of editorial content of interest to the business community. Below is the 2017 editorial calendar, including special advertising sections and advertising space reservation deadlines:

January/February State Chamber Annual Report The State Chamber’s Year in Review, and a look at Delaware’s economic development.

Space reservation: November 17, 2016 March/April Guide to Real Estate & Construction Guide to Health Care & Insurance Guide to Taxes Guide to Career & Internships Space reservation: January 19, 2017

May/June Superstars in Education Guide Guide to Education Guide to Legal Services, Government Affairs and Incorporating Services Guide to Beaches Space reservation: March 10, 2017

September/October Guide to Health + Fitness Back to School Guide Manufacturing Guide Guide to Election Issues Guide to Delaware Schools Space reservation: July 13, 2017

July/August Restaurant, Meeting & Banquet Guide Guide to Higher Learning Insurance & Financial Services Space reservation: May 13, 2017

November/December Superstars in Business Guide Guide to Construction & Real Estate Guide to Technology Guide to Banking Space reservation: September 14, 2017

* This calendar lists cover story topics and special advertising segments. Editorial topics are subject to change. Advertisers will be notified of any significant changes to content. All ads are due one week after space reservation deadline.

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Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017

DELAWARE BUSINESS

PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF/FINAL FOCUS

Welcome Members of the 149th General Assembly

BY JAMES DECHENE

DEAR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: On behalf of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, the state’s largest business advocate organization, we welcome you to the 149th General Assembly. We hope that your body of work in 2017 will serve as a bellwether of a renewed commitment and focus on economic development for our great state, and it is within that spirit we offer items we believe need action this year: Modernizing the Coastal Zone Act Delaware needs a diversified economy, especially in manufacturing and construction. Much of our jobs recovery has been in service industry positions. Our economy is shifting, and infrastructure investment will be critical in helping to create new, middle class jobs for Delaware. One way to achieve that goal is to modernize the Coastal Zone Act. Making substantive changes to the Coastal Zone Act in industrial areas can have the benefit of positive environmental impact and economic growth for the state.

The challenges we face today are different than those in 1971.

At that time the Environmental Protection Agency was just getting off the ground, and the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts weren’t on the horizon. Today’s industrial development looks much different – facilities are much cleaner, yet prospective employers face legacy restrictions over 40 years old. Modernization must take into account current regulations that accomplish many of the same environmental goals and protections and remove redundancy in the process.

Regulatory Reform An often lamented refrain from the business community is the burdensome permitting process in Delaware. The time and DELAWARE BUSINESS

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resources it takes to submit a project for review should be substantially decreased. Surrounding states have taken measures to not only shorten their review time, but to make the overall process easier and more efficient. In Delaware, areas like Middletown have a proven track record of attracting jobs and residents. Where possible, that approach should be replicated throughout the state. The 148th General Assembly took a good first step by passing SB 120, the Regulatory Transparency and Accountability Act of 2015, and there remains more to be done. Our members are committed to assisting the 149th General Assembly in reviewing the various permitting processes and making recommendations for reform.

Reviewing State Spending and Revenue Sources The most recent economic forecast, as of this writing, shows a projected budget gap of upwards of $300 million. Revenue growth in FY17 is expected to be 1.5% and FY18 will see 0% growth as currently calculated. Approximately 73% of the FY2016 budget is allocated to employee salaries and health care, pensions and retirees’ health care, Medicaid and debt service. Without cuts to personnel or programs, these numbers will increase next year. As a result, the State Chamber of Commerce has advocated, and will continue to advocate, for a structural review of how and where the state allocates and collects its resources. Multiple studies have projected an increasing gap between available revenue collected through traditional means (Personal and Corporate Income taxes, Gross Receipts Tax, Abandoned Property and Corporate Franchise Taxes being the primary sources of revenue for the state) and expected spending. Most notably the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council’s (DEFAC) Taskforce on Revenues released a 9

Legislative Agenda report in 2015 that provided a blueprint on how to realign revenue collection to lessen volatility and be a better indicator of overall economic health. The Chamber supported many of the report’s provisions and would urge the General Assembly to revisit that document this year. In addition, we feel now is the time to address legacy programs and provisions that add considerable costs to state government, ranging from the cost of state employee health care to the costs surrounding education and incarceration.

Focus on Startups and Entrepreneurship As you are no doubt aware, small businesses and startups are increasingly important to Delaware’s economy. Efforts to make it attractive for those jobs to be created here are paramount.

Positive legislation from the 148th General Assembly included a bill allowing Delawareans the opportunity to invest in crowdfunding. Efforts to undertake in the 149th should include capitalizing on Delaware’s size and the willingness of local and state representatives to greet and encourage potential employers by promoting an environment where industry leaders want to live, work, and play. It should also include investments in infrastructure such as broadband and natural gas expansion in Kent and Sussex counties to help attract new businesses in historically economically depressed areas.

Workforce Development The ability for Delaware high school graduates to easily transition to the workplace, secondary education, or to the military, remains a priority for the State Chamber of Commerce and the business community. With over 40% of Delaware high school graduates required to take remedial courses in college, and many employers providing basic skills training for jobs not requiring a college degree, the State Chamber of Commerce continues to advocate for policies that ensure Delaware students have a place to succeed after high school. Recent successes include the advanced manufacturing curriculum developed in partnership with the Delaware Manufacturing Association (an affiliate of the State Chamber of Commerce), the Department of Labor, the Governor’s office, and Delaware Technical Community College. The business community stands ready as a resource for helping to develop curriculum and programs that will help provide the skills necessary for achievement.

This is a substantial list of issues, but we strongly believe action on these items is vital to secure Delaware’s economic future. The State Chamber and our members, remain committed and invested, as you do, to helping shepherd Delaware’s future success. We can only succeed through strong partnerships, open communication and cooperation. It is with this pledge we welcome you to the 149th General Assembly.

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

Member

news&Notes Fulton Bank relocates Branmar Branch Fulton Bank announced in August Wilmington community. The new address is at a great location that is highly visible, that its Branmar Branch, located fresh, and easily accessed. In addition to at 1812 Marsh Road in Wilmington, the same friendly staff and the existing Delaware, would be relocating. With only features (ATM, self-service coin machine, one business day closure to facilitate the etc.), the new branch includes an updatmove, the Branmar Branch set up shop ed design, state-of-the-art operations, at its new North Wilmington location at and a drive-up lane that was not available 800 Foulk Road in Wilmington, Delaware. at its previous location.

The branch opened on August 22, and Sarah DeFrancis is the branch mancelebrated with a grand opening event for ager of the new office and she will be the public in September and formal ribbon responsible for the business developcutting in October. ment, community involvement and daily “We were happy to host many of our operations of the branch. The site will existing customers and influencers at operate Monday through Thursday from our Ribbon Cutting and appreciate the ongoing support of the State Chamber as Members of the Fulton Bank our business partner. team celebrate their new We remain committed North Wilmington location. to engagement in all of our communities to - Care, Listen, Understand and Deliver!” said Katie Wilkinson, Market Leader for Fulton Bank.

The relocation was a long time in the works, Fulton Bank thanks their Branmar Branch customers for their patience and cooperation during the transition. It was of the utmost importance that uninterrupted service be provided to the north

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8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Fulton Bank was pleased to be able to use local trade providers, like Nowland Construction, and looks forward to continued partnering with local businesses.

Fulton Bank strives to build on its commitment to the community and is excited to keep growing business throughout Delaware. The teams of relationshipfocused professionals at every location will continue to serve the needs of their client consumers and businesses of all sizes with the greatest care.

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Member

news&Notes BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

The Precisionists Inc.

For Ernest Dianastasis, a bigtime career move boiled down to a simple equation.

“There is a huge divide in our country between the number of people living with disabilities, and their ability to gain meaningful and sustainable employment that allows them to perform to their strengths,” he says.

So, for Dianastasis—a longtime fixture in the local business world as head of Computer Aid Inc. (CAI) and a prodigious community presence through his work on the Delaware Business Roundtable, the DSCC, Vision Coalition of Delaware and others—the time arrived to balance that equation.

This past summer, Dianastasis cashed out his control of CAI and used the proceeds to launch The Precisionists, Inc. A national B-Corporation (a for-profit entity that is also equally driven by a social mission; think Ben & Jerry’s or Patagonia), The Precisionists Inc. delivers administrative and technology services via specially built personnel teams which include individuals with disabilities.

The organization’s mission is to “… bridge the divide between millions of job openings in the U.S. with the untapped talent pool of people with disabilities.”

Its lofty goal: to employ 10,000 people with disabilities by 2025.

“People are defined by their ability, not by their disability. Creating jobs means creating jobs for people of all abilities,” said Governor Jack Markell in a press release. “Now, more than ever, our state and our nation’s competitiveness rely on using our full potential—everyone’s full potential. I

BY MATT AMIS

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Ernie Dianastasis with Thorkil Sonne (center), Director and President of Specialisterne Foundation, Inc., and Governor Jack Markell. am thrilled that The Precisionists will be a Delaware-based company, yet it will have a global vision and mission. Ernie Dianastasis has demonstrated an ability to bring together major corporations and the disability world to create meaningful jobs through best practices. I am confident that with his leadership, The Precisionists will transform thousands of lives for the better.”

During his tenure as head of the National Governor’s Association, Markell focused his platform on employing people with disabilities. He introduced Dianastasis to a likeminded Danish organization called Specialisterne, and arranged for a meeting. “So we started working on how to do this in the U.S.,” Dianastasis says, “and we ran a successful pilot program at CAI that created

over 40 jobs for people with autism.

“I thought: Just Imagine what would happen if I started a company that was fully focused on this.”

The Precisionists Inc. focuses on individuals who have autism, visual or hearing impairments, and disabled veterans— subgroups that Dianastasis calls “a huge untapped labor market.” Research shows that these groups are vastly underemployed or unemployed, and often struggle to adapt to the expectations of an existing job position or environment.

Precisionists staffers perform outreach to major companies across the country, offering services that range from scanning documents or data entry work, to something as complex as software development of software testing, and continued on 15

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Member

news&Notes

PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF/FINAL FOCUS

For home and for country

FRANK AND DONNA MASLEY NAMED GILMAN BOWL RECIPIENTS The winner of this year’s Marvin S. Gilman Bowl exemplifies the heart and soul of what our business community needs. Not just in regards to their success and stability, or the best practices they’ve implemented, or their processes refined over the years; But in regards to their passion, perseverance and humble attitude – the love they exhibit for their company, their employees, their customers and their family.

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce was pleased to award the prestigious Marvin S. Gilman Bowl to Frank and Donna Masley on

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Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at the Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business awards luncheon. The Masleys founded Masley Enterprises, Inc. to provide highly specialized technical hand wear solutions, structured to meet the needs of the most demanding organization in the world – the U.S. military. The award recognizes excellence in business and community, but also served as a moment of tribute to Frank, who passed away earlier this year.

Donna Masley accepted the award, accompanied by two of their three children, Steven and Paige.

“The Gilman Award signifies outstanding achievements and model approaches to the business and management. I will speak for Frank, and I know he would be so graciously proud that Masley Enterprises is now part of the Gilman Bowl club,” said Donna from the podium.

Frank and Donna Masley have never even applied for the Superstars in Business award. But they are the epitome of what the program, and what the Marvin S. Gilman Bowl, is all about.

Frank Masley left his position as a product specialist at W. L. Gore when he realized there was a great need for

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

improved, high quality handwear for use by the U.S. Military. It was a risky move, but with the support of his wife Donna, a pediatric nurse for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, his vision came to life. In 2000, Frank and Donna launched Masley Enterprises, Inc. out of their home basement. He cited Donna’s encouragement and help, as well as his tumultuous journey as a three-time Olympic athlete, as the source of his preparedness, inspiration and determination for business success.

The team-minded business owners then made another risky move by purchasing a facility in the 3rd District of Wilmington, which the Masleys, along with the help of their workers, cleaned up and renovated themselves. Frank was insistent that a wall be turned into a window so the team could enjoy the view of their grounds. They then began hiring residents of the city of Wilmington with challenged backgrounds, many of whom had never held regular or steady jobs prior to joining the Masley Glove Team.

The building location allows many team members to walk or bike to work, and lets the company utilize HUB Zone opportunities available for government contractors. By providing an encouraging and accepting work environment for those in need of a second chance, they aim to not only create the best gloves, but the best glove makers as well.

Masley Enterprises operates as a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), with products that are 100% Made in USA and Berry Amendment Compliant.

Kim Allison, Masley Enterprises employee and family friend, shares memories of Frank buying the team water ice in the summer, Donna baking them brownies on her Sundays off, and

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Frank making the team take breaks to go feed the ducks because ‘it was the right thing to do.’

“Frank and Donna have led this business by example. There is never judgment about someone’s past, but a vision of who that person can be… Seeing the beauty in the community, and in each other, is what we all strive for so we can Be Like Frank,” says Kim, referencing the BeLikeFrank Foundation created by the Masleys in order to continue Frank’s legacy of leadership and community service.

Frank, lovingly nicknamed ‘Coach,’ led the Glove Team passionately until his diagnosis of melanoma in February 2016.

On September 10, he left this world on his own terms with his family at his bedside. Donna and the Masley children hope BeLikeFrank will inspire everyone to help make the world a better place, as Frank strived to do.

“He will always be the biggest fan of everyone at Masley Enterprises,” says Donna.

The Gilman Bowl was established to recognize those who have exhibited exceptional small business leadership. It is named in memory of Marvin S. Gilman, who served as an exemplary leader and a paragon of small business in Delaware.

The identity of the winners of the Gilman Bowl was held in confidence until its presentation at the awards luncheon.

The event, held at the Hotel du Pont’s Gold Ballroom, also honored eight outstanding companies as Superstars in Business and Award of Excellence winners. The winners can be viewed at www.dscc.com. The program included video tributes to the Superstars in Business award winners, as well as keynote remarks by Mac Nagaswami, the CEO and co-founder of Carvertise.

Business Spotlight continued from 12 everything in between. Once a contract is landed, they assemble blended teams of people with and without disabilities to execute on the work.

While The Precisionists, Inc. is headquartered in Delaware, the plan is to establish operation centers across the country to meet demand.

“At the end of the day, even though companies have an interest in helping people with disabilities—most of them don’t know how,” Dianastasis says.

“Precisionists is taking the risk out of the equation. Not only in being good at what we do in terms of the work, but also understanding how to assess, train, and nurture people in the workforce doing this kind of work.”

Businesses or individuals can connect to The Precisionists Inc. through its website (www.theprecisionists. com), and the organization has allies in Easter Seals and Delaware Health and Social Services, among others, to assist with outreach.

For Dianastasis, the career seachange was as much about a savvy business choice as it was crafting a legacy and helping thousands of marginalized Americans.

“I have a younger brother that has a disability,” he says. “There are about 45 million people in the U.S. with a disability. That’s about 1 in 6. That means practically everybody has a family member or friend who faces these challenges. It hits home with just about everybody.

“I’ve been very fortunate in 30 years to be part of two very good companies (CAI, and previously, IBM) and I really wanted to—in the final segment of my career—be able to look back on and be proud of all the previous stuff.”

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Member

news&Notes NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

The Kenny Family Foundation CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Since 2008, the Kenny Family Foundation has supported nonprofit organizations throughout New Castle County in efforts to create philanthropic partnerships, promote social welfare, and contribute to various humanitarian efforts.

With partnering at the forefront of operations, the Kenny Family Foundation connects donors to charitable organizations, and volunteers to good causes. With funds raised, over 1,000 nonprofits and charities have received some form of support through collaboration with KFF. Whether it’s feeding the hungry, sheltering the cold, caring for the ill or educating youth, KFF thrives in the community it serves.

They aim to ensure that any giving,

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whether of time, experience or money, is done so meaningfully and effectively.

KFF has donated more than $1.1 million to the community, and helped raise over $1 million in other philanthropic efforts.

The organization is also proud of their volunteer force of over 100, who carry the torch for improving their community, and set the example of giving back.

The Kenny Family Foundation also offers several ongoing programs: Partners in Training, Student Shoppers and Active Partners.

Partners in Training is the result of the combined efforts of KFF, Wakerfern Food Corporation and Goodwill. This program helps individuals transition from under- and unemployment to work at ShopRite and other retailers. Training

Students from Warner Elementary upon completion of the store campus visit in the Student Shopper Program.

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takes place in a classroom within a miniature Shoprite store built on the premises of the Goodwill and transitions into actual stores for real life training. Participants are given the skills and resources they need to advance.

The Student Shopper Program is a community-driven endeavor that serves third through fifth graders. By promoting health and financial literacy to these students, the program aims to instill positive lifestyle approaches that can affect their well-being. From nutrition and healthy eating, to good budgeting practices, KFF delivers on the Wakefern mission to care deeply about people, helping them to eat well and be happy, and their own mission in creating a sustainable future for New Castle County.

The Kenny Family Foundation Active Partners is a microgrant program that provides aid to nonprofit organizations in Delaware.

Contributions are awarded to requests aligned with the foundation’s mission and vision, and come in form of ShopRite gift cards that are redeemable at each of their Delaware locations.

Additionally, the Kenny Family Foundation has spent the last four Thanksgiving holidays with volunteers from the Bellevue Community Center.

Their public safety-focused program prepares and deliv-

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

ers meals to each New Castle County fire and police station. KFF is also involved with the Hilltop Lutheran Center, to which they donate money in order for 180 young people to have a safe and healthy after-school environment playing basketball. These youths learn important teamwork and social skills, and are provided a meal after practices.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is another commitment KFF has taken on, providing water to all Relay for Life participants at relay hydration stations at every event. KFF also cosponsors Wilmington’s Day of Service, occurring yearly on the last Saturday in May since 2010. This service day hosts over 70 business, nonprofit, and community organizations, who improve

KFF Board Member Chris Kenny and Chuck James, DSCC at the KFF Annual Fundraiser.

Wilmington neighborhoods through cleanup and beautification projects.

“Our mission in the establishment of the The Kenny Family Foundation was to create a nonprofit which could build sustainability for all organizations, and

provide assistance for those committed to improving the quality of life in the local community. We are accessible, present and active partners within our community and we believe collaboration is the key to creating a sustainable future for Delaware,” says Dr. Christopher Kenny, Esq., Kenny Family Foundation Board Member and CEO/ President of Kenny Family ShopRites.

Christopher Kenny has served on the DSCC Board of Directors since 2011, and Richard Kenny since 2004.

The Kenny Family Foundation has been a longtime Annual Dinner supporter, in addition to sponsoring other DSCC events over the years. www.kffde.org

Congratulations to the Leadership Delaware Class of 2016 The State Chamber is thrilled to extend its congratulations to the achievements of the 2016 fellows who recently graduated Leadership Delaware, including our very own Kelly Wetzel.

Kelly is an integral part of the Chamber staff in her role as programs and communications specialist. Her completion of the rigorous and rewarding program led by Terry and Sandy Strine is a significant accomplishment. Please join us in applauding Kelly and her cohort.

“Thanks to Leadership Delaware, my knowledge and skills have grown immensely over the past year. I look forward to applying everything I’ve gained from the program toward the State Chamber membership and to becoming more involved with local nonprofits.”

Leadership Delaware is a highly-selective leadership program for outstanding young Delawareans who have the vision, integrity, passion, and courage to seek and excel at community, nonprofit, political, professional and corporate leadership within the “First State.” The 10-month program offers a series of issue-oriented speaker sessions, which are based on the belief that knowledge is a key element and prime motivator of leadership.

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2017

PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF/FINAL FOCUS

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WELCOME New Members 1847 FINANCIAL

Since 1969, Eastern Controls, Inc. has been

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painting sessions are the answer! Invite your

control equipment, field repair and calibration services, and trainin/workforce development programs to a wide variety of Delaware Manufacturers.

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friends, sip your favorite beverage and enjoy step-by-step instruction with our experienced and enthusiastic local artists. You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind creation and a newfound talent you’ll want to explore. Book

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paintings. From birthday and bachelorette

Residential and commercial security systems,

ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL

automation, audio/visual and low voltage wiring.

4157 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803 (302) 479-1800 www.macaronigrill.com

BRAIN BALANCE 4762 Limestone Road Wilmington, DE 19808 (302) 650-1610 www.brainbalancecenters.com

MAGNUM OPUS FEDERAL CORP.

parties to date nights and team buildings, we can help you celebrate anything!

ing your child struggle with learning or behav-

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ioral issues. Here, and at our centers around

Magnum Opus Federal is a superior mort-

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SALON 926, INC.

kids overcome their challenges. Our ground-

needs and educating the diverse home

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estate professional, builders, attorneys, etc.

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At Brain Balance Center of Wilmington we understand the pain and frustration of watch-

strengths or compensate for a weakness, we

Casual dining – Fresh Italian cuisine sourced from the farms of Italy. Warm, inviting atmosphere, open kitchen, caring staff, delicious selections.

tackle the root cause of the issue.

MARYLAND DELAWARE WASHINGTON JEWELERS ASSOCIATION

Full service hair salon and retail store.

EASTERN CONTROLS, INC.

171 Conduit Street Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 269-1440

SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC. INFRASTRUCTURE & CITIES SECTOR BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION

We represent jewelers in the Tri State area in

1450 Union Meeting Road Blue Bell, PA 19422

3866 Providence Road Edgemont, PA 19028 (610) 325-4600 www.easterncontrols.com 18

the Maryland legislative session.

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Emphasis on Forensics and Fraud Detection

Master’s Degree in Accounting

It all adds up.

The Neumann University master’s degree in Accounting adds up to greater opportunity.

The emphasis on forensics and fraud detection will provide you with credentials that are in demand. Neumann’s program allows you to: • Finish in just 18-21 months • Study in class and online • Focus on forensics and fraud For more information: gradadultadmiss@neumann.edu 610-361-5208

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Aston, Pennsylvania

www.neumann.edu 19

WELCOME New Members TALEN ENERGY

WHITE DEER RUN TREATMENT NETWORK

leader for safe, energy efficient and envi-

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ronmentally friendly buildings and infra-

Talen Energy provides competitive electricity

220 N. Front Street Suite 4 Phillipsburg, PA 16866 (410) 251-3586 www.whitedeerrun.com

structure. As a technology partner, con-

supply options to large businesses through-

White Deer Run operates 8 addiction treat-

sultant, service provider, system integrator

out Delaware and the surrounding region.

ment programs throughout Pennsylvania,

(215) 648-1031 www.siemens.com/ buildingtechnologies Building Technologies is the world market

and product supplier, Building Technologies

with the closest program only 14 miles from

offers fire safety, security, building automa-

THE PRECISIONISTS, INC.

Wilmington, DE. I am the regional service

tion, heating, ventilation and air condition-

1201 N. Market Street Suite 1404 Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 609-1260 www.theprecisionists.com

coordinator, and work in the state of Delaware

The Precisionists, Inc. is a national company

help clients admit quickly. We accept com-

focused on creating 10,000 jobs for people

mercial insurance at all 8 programs; DE

with disabilities by the year 2025 by providing

Medicaid is also accepted at Bowling Green

industry best practices for delivering administra-

Brandywine program. Transportation is avail-

tive and technology services performed through

able from anywhere in the state of Delaware

teams which include individuals with disabilities.

to any of our programs.

ing (HVAC) as well as energy management products and services.

SUN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 12 Broad Street Red Bank, NJ 07701 (732) 474-1800 www.sunbehavioral.com

to help individuals find treatment for alcohol and drugs. We also have a mobile assessor designated to work in the state of Delaware to streamline the admissions process and

Put the University of Delaware to work for your organization.

Customized training and executive education Professional coaching, executive education and customized training programs tailored to your organization’s needs.

• Enable your employees to focus their efforts on core business tasks.

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Learn how we can help your organization! pcs.udel.edu/organizations • 302-831-7858 continuing-ed@udel.edu DB010017

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Local Expertise, Local Decision Making.

Put Chase to work for you.

Just as you guide your business toward success, we guide our clients toward success. Chase is committed to helping mid-sized businesses across Delaware achieve their goals. Our Commercial Banking team offers global capabilities and specialized industry expertise, all delivered and serviced locally by a trusted banking team.

For insights that will help take your business to the next level, visit chase.com/executiveconnect.

To learn more, contact: Mark Schrieber

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Executive Director and Region Manager

Vice President

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Delaware Middle Market Banking

(215) 640-3470

(302) 282-1204

mark.j.schrieber@chase.com

keith.kepplinger@chase.com

COM M E RCIAL BAN KI NG © 2016 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. Chase is a marketing name for certain businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its subsidiaries worldwide (collectively, “JPMC”). Products and services may be provided by commercial bank affiliates, securities affiliates or other JPMC affiliates or entities.

Not all products and services are available in all geographic areas. Eligibility for particular products and services is subject to final determination by JPMC and or its affiliates/subsidiaries. 285852

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Chamber Scene... A Year in Photos David J. Bailey, MD, MBA of The Nemours Foundation was the keynote at the 179th Annual Dinner

Quarterly Meet the New Members reception

O. Francis Biondi, Esq. received the Josiah Marvel Cup at the 179th Annual Dinner

Martha Gilman received Board Member of the Year, awarded by the DSCC staff

Mark Stellini passed the gavel, inaugurating Chip Rossi as the new chairman

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Chamber Scene... A Year in Photos

Principal Stanley Spoor and DSCC President Rich Heffron at Howard High School of Technology with Howard student and DSCC intern Milan Thomas

The Motivate the First State launch with Governor Jack Markell at South Dover Elementary School

Mike Schwartz and Ralph Petti at Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County’s ReStore

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Chamber Scene... A Year in Photos

Dr. Jack P. Varsalona was the inaugural recipient of the John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership Award at the Superstars in Education awards reception

Small Business Day in Dover brought more than 50 small business owners to Legislative Hall to get to know their legislators

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Chamber Scene... A Year in Photos

The State Chamber made its annual trip down to Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in June

Representative Bryon Short and Senator Brian Bushweller on hand as Governor Markell signed HB327, the equity crowdfunding bill. Start-ups and small businesses now have more access to capital.

Albert R. Morris celebrated the grand re-opening of the Greenville location of A.R. Morris Jewelers

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Chamber Scene... A Year in Photos

Delaware Principal for a Day had 132 schools statewide host 142 visits with business leaders and elected officials

The Delaware Young Professionals Network volunteered its time with Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County

The Delaware Networking Station hosted 120 exhibitors and more than 500 business people at the Chase Center

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Chamber Scene... A Year in Photos

Frank and Donna Masley were honored with the Marvin S. Gilman Bowl at the Superstars in Business awards luncheon

The 6th Annual Taste of Delaware was held on Capitol Hill, hosting more than 600 attendees and 25 of Delaware’s ‘best’ on the culinary scene

Mac Nagaswami of Carvertise was the keynote at the Superstars in Business awards luncheon

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Life’s better when we’re connected®

to jobs

to community

to compassion At Bank of America, we’re connecting our resources and people to the things that make life better in communities across the U.S. From working with local businesses that create jobs and supporting nonprofits that address critical needs to revitalizing neighborhoods and funding safe and affordable housing. Our mission is simple: to help Delaware thrive.

to each other

Learn more about how we’re helping at bankofamerica.com/local

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. © 2016 Bank of America Corporation. AR83HKB6

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PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF/FINAL FOCUS

DuPont and Delaware – the Next Chapter The First State’s legendary innovator readies for a new structure, new challenges

2017 WILL BE THE YEAR DuPont eyes the future like never before.

That should be no surprise. DuPont’s history is mostly one of inventing the future. However, this time is different. Not only is an historic merger with The Dow Chemical Company pending, but also political and economic challenges emerging around the globe add an unprecedented level of uncertainty.

It is a given that the world has changed. Companies like DuPont have to stay ahead of those changes in order to thrive. From its origins making gunpowder along the Brandywine, to its long reign in the 20th century as the premier chemical company, DuPont not only kept pace, but it fostered change as well.

The change we are seeing now is something completely different.

Science and technology have altered products, consumer demands and investor expectations. Markets are now global. Communication are instanDELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2017

taneous. Regulations turn over rapidly. Competition grows ever fiercer, while overall economic growth drags.

The 21st Century so far has been the story of businesses adjusting to this rapid change and its challenges. Now, however, come political disruptions that make it impossible to predict the fate of tax, trade and immigration policies.

That is the future DuPont and its Chair and CEO, Ed Breen, face.

DuPont officials expect the merger to be completed in the first quarter of 2017. The merger must obtain regulatory approvals in the United, States, China, Brazil and the European Union. The company continues to work constructively with regulators in these jurisdictions to address their concerns and to obtain clearance for the merger, and have always expected a thorough review given the size and scope of our merger.

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Shareholders in both companies overwhelmingly approved the merger in July. After the two science giants combine, they will split into three strong, independent companies, each with its own focus. The Agriculture and Specialty Products companies will be headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. The third, the Material Sciences company, will be based in Midland, Michigan. Each intended company will redefine and shape the future of their industries.

Many analysts see Breen as well suited for guiding DuPont into the merger and the combined companies afterward. When he was selected to lead DuPont in 2015, many press profiles dubbed him a turnaround expert. The 60-year-old Breen is credited with turning around Tyco International plc, where he was CEO for 10 years. Before that, he was seen as the prime mover in making Motorola more efficient.

The merger will create a company worth $130 billion. As Breen told investment analysts, much of the success of the action will depend on cost savings before the merger and efficiencies after. Part of the effort involves visiting and evaluating each facility to make e sure each is living up to its productivity and profitability potential. The process is viewed as essential because of the increasing global competition, especially in agriculture.

The global competition was a known factor when the merger plans were announced in December 2015. Since then a “populist” upheaval swept through many of the world’s democracies. That includes the United States.

First, voters in Britain decided to leave the European Union. That “Brexit” attitude is affecting other EU members as well. The U.S. presidential race got more than a taste of that populist disruption. Sen. Bernie Sanders, on the Democratic side, and Donald Trump, on the Republican, upset the party professionals. Both campaigns raised serious criticisms of America’s free trade policy. Their stand won votes in both parties. Other contenders quickly joined in. With the Trump victory, that issue is still on the table.

What changes are likely? No one knows. That adds a big unknown to every company working on a global scale.

Ed Breen, speaking to a group in Boston, said he does not expect the Trump administration to oppose the DuPont-Dow merger despite the candidate’s criticism of mergers. He also said he does not believe that “populist” sentiment in Europe will affect economic growth.

No matter which way you look at it, more change is coming in 2017.

Ed Breen and DuPont will be ready. n

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With Age Diversity Comes Opportunity Stereotypes about how age defines someone’s knowledge, abilities and potential still abound. Yet with today’s increased longevity and better health, most people don’t want to be defined by their age. Nowhere is this more important than the workforce, which now has up to four generations and a larger proportion than ever of workers over 50.

Because myths about aging affects all generations, not just people over 50, AARP seeks to “Disrupt Aging” in the workplace. We want businesses to launch a conversation about the value of an intergenerational workforce, challenge outdated beliefs, and spark new solutions.

Help us amplify the Disrupt Aging message and inspire others to value people regardless of their age. aarp.org/disrupt-aging

Let’s rethink aging.

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

What’s Next for You? AARP Delaware and the University of Delaware are disrupting aging through a creative collaboration which is shaping up to help many Delawareans reimagine their lives in some very powerful ways.

Tara White Kee is Director of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at University of Delaware

Lucretia B. Young is State Director for AARP Delaware

Generation X, not to mention the Boomer generation, is realizing something very important. They are living longer. The life expectancy in the U.S. just three generations ago was 50 years of age, while it is now over 78. A 2007 U.S. News and World Report study found that the number of college students age 40-64 has increased to almost two million, up 20 percent from just a decade ago. These ambitious students are looking for encore careers. They have the time and energy to embark on a whole new venture, and are interested in learning for individual growth and development. Gen X managers have all the right skills to be great managers in our changing corporate landscape.

Deepening and developing those skills can become a launching pad into a more far-reaching career.

These are some of the reasons why AARP Delaware and the University of Delaware have teamed up to provide a fifteen percent tuition discount for AARP members who are pursuing a degree in the Master of Liberal Studies (MALS) program at the University.

Through this collaboration, we challenge conventional views on careers, education, and moving into the next chapter of life. Students like Cheryl Moore-Rice are exploring their “what’s next” in life in the MALS program.

“Some of us are in a mature phase of our careers. We’re not traditional college students,” she says. “We want to start new lives, experience new thinking for whatever lies ahead. The program has really opened up the whole exploration of learning, and it’s given me new possibilities.”

Fellow student Kate Cowperthwait adds, “As an undergraduate I was in a hurry, hurry to pick a major, hurry to get through the work, a hurry to graduate. I never had the chance to fully enjoy the courses and the education. Now, I have the opportunity to fully immerse myself in each course, to partner with each professor and to learn in a full and robust way. This has truly changed my life and opened up a whole new world of possibilities.”

While many MALS students are in the program for the pure joy of learning, the program cultivates valued workplace skills: critical thinking, problem solving, research methods, writing, presentation skills. An Education Advisory Board study shows that these are among the most in-demand skills in the top industries in our region.

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary graduate program. The program’s small seminar courses are taught by faculty from across the College of Arts and Sciences, breaking down departmental barriers to explore important questions from a variety of perspectives. Within the broad parameters of the program, students are free to shape their course of study to fit their intellectual interests and follow their passions—ideal for those negotiating the next step in their careers or their lives.

All classes are held in the evening and the degree can be completed on a part-time basis. To learn more about the discount for AARP members and guests, contact the MALS program directly at mals-info@udel.edu or visit www.mals.udel.edu.

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Delaware Must Set an Agenda for Growth

BY ROBERT PERKINS

WITH A NEW GOVERNOR and General Assembly in place, Delaware has the opportunity to fundamentally change its approach to economic development in the face of challenging times and increased competition at home and abroad.

The Delaware Business Roundtable and the state’s business community are eager to support Governor Carney and state lawmakers as we build a stronger, more economically diverse and vibrant Delaware.

That’s why we met with more than 100 state, business and community leaders in developing the Delaware Growth Agenda, which was released last summer and calls on the state to nurture a growing entrepreneurship base built on three strategic goals that should be implemented over the next five years: 1. Building an entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. This will make Delaware more attractive to entrepreneurs and help them grow organically. This approach includes bolstering federal, state and private investment in higher education, and emphasizing the finance, healthcare, science and technology fields, engineering and entrepreneurship programs. The framework calls for the creation of an “Innovation District” as a destination for entrepreneurs and startups.

2. Pursuing a new approach to economic development. The Growth Agenda calls for establishing a public-private organization with a renewed focus on economic development, crafting a new comprehensive statewide economic development strategic plan, and a marketing campaign that pursues new investment and jobs in key industries – including financial services, business services, education and knowledge creation, manufacturing, and distribution.

3. Enhancing Delaware’s business climate. The Growth Agenda says the state must ensure Delaware’s infrastructure meets the needs of a 21st century economy, including updating the Coastal Zone Act to provide greater flexibility in redeveloping brownfield sites.

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Why is this approach needed? In developing the Growth Agenda, TIP Strategies, a leading national economic development strategic planning firm, and the Delaware Business Roundtable concluded: • Many of the traditional economic pillars of the state – including cars and chemicals – are no longer significant job generators.

• Manufacturing accounted for about 20 percent of the state’s non-farm employment in 1990. By last year, it was just 10 percent of all jobs.

• The state lost more jobs in manufacturing and corporate headquarters than any other sector between 2010 and 2014 – while health care and professional services sectors experienced robust job growth.

• Delaware is home to a growing base on which to build a vibrant entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem – and higher education must become the long-term driving force behind that ecosystem.

• Delaware’s labor force participation rate from 2010 to 2015 showed the fastest percentage point increase among the states, but from 2012 to 2015 wages grew in Delaware by 3 percent while wages in the US grew by 7 percent.

These findings show we have much work to do, but together we can once again position Delaware as a global magnet for leading-edge technologies, talent and investment.

This can only happen if all parties and all segments of the economy come together to chart a new, forward-looking agenda for economic development in Delaware for years to come. n

Robert Perkins is the executive director of the Delaware Business Roundtable.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017

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Thank you to our 180TH Annual Dinner sponsors Presenting

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Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Thank you to our 180TH Annual Dinner sponsors Advocate

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DELAWARE

Small Business Leader Assurance Media Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, CPAs Blood Bank of Delmarva Bloom Energy Brown Advisory Cooch and Taylor Delaware Cadillac, Delaware Subaru, Kia of Wilmington & Chevrolet of Dover Delaware Financial Group

Diamond Technologies, Inc. Doherty & Associates, Inc. Easter Seals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore Environmental Alliance, Inc. FideliTrade, Incorporated Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology Fulton Bank George J. Weiner Associates

Gilman Development Company Gunnip & Company, CPAs Health Insurance Associates Healy Long & Jevin, Inc. MilliCare by EBC MySherpa PPG Santora CPA Group Wheeler, Wolfenden & Dwares, CPAs Wohlsen Construction Company

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37

Striking The Right Balance

Unclaimed Property

BY MICHAEL HOUGHTON

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY – uncashed checks, unclaimed payroll, dividends, stock credits, etc. – must, under established Federal common law, be paid over to the state of incorporation (often Delaware) unless the company holding the property has the last known address of the owner, in which case that state gets the “lost” property. When audit review periods go back, as they have with Delaware, 30 years or more, most companies do not have addresses which connect the unclaimed property to the state of last known address. As a consequence of these rules Delaware, more than 15 years ago, better identified its rights to unclaimed property and undertook what some would say is aggressive enforcement of those rights, through hundreds of audits of Delaware formed entities. As a result, unclaimed property has become the third largest revenue source for the state.1 Quite a bit of the money collected through audit by Delaware has been through estimation of a company’s historical liability. Since it is mostly all unaddressed property, the money collected will not be reunited with the “lost” owner, but is instead used by Delaware (and to be fair, other states collecting similar property as well) to build roads, fund government operations, etc.

As a state that prides itself as (and funds itself by being) a corporate friendly venue, the growth of unclaimed property from below $100 million to in excess of $500 million per year has alarmed the national corporate community, now faced with hundreds of audits by contingent fee contract auditors who are paid millions annually to find and collect money for Delaware. It has also alarmed the Delaware business community, concerned with the reputational damage the nation’s “corporate capital” might face, has prompted statutory reform, and has resulted in litigation against the state. This litigation has produced case law which, at minimum, seriously questions and may permanently alter the way Delaware views, collects and relies on unclaimed property as a revenue source.2

Task Force and Delaware Senate Bills 11 and 141 The most recent sustained effort to address the concerns surrounding Delaware’s unclaimed property program came in 2014, with the creation of the Delaware Unclaimed Property Task Force (the “Task Force”). Comprised of a mix of state legislators, business representatives, academics and private unclaimed property practitioners, the Task Force released a report in January 2015. The report provided the Task Force’s findings and recommendations for how to improve Delaware’s unclaimed property practices, focusing on giving clarity and predictability for the business community holding, and making it obligatory to report unclaimed property.

That report served as the basis for Delaware Senate Bill 11 (“S.B. 11”) and Senate Bill 141 (“S.B. 141”), signed into law by Governor Markell on January 15, 2015, and July 22, 2015, respectively. S.B. 11 sought prompt implementation of certain key recommendations of the Task Force, 38

including those aimed at promoting fairness and rooting out conflicts of interest, such as limiting the number of audits conducted by a single auditor to a cap of 50% of all audits, and establishing a two year period after leaving public service, during which senior state unclaimed property employees cannot be hired by a third party auditor.

S.B. 141 continued the process of promoting fairness, as well as providing clarity for holder compliance. The changes made by S.B 141, however, have greater direct impact for Delaware’s revenue collection efforts. In particular, there have been significant changes made to lookback periods in both Delaware audits and Delaware’s Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (“VDA”) program. Prior to this legislation, the audit lookback period extended to the year 1981, and in the VDA context, the lookback period extended to the year 1993. Depending on when the audit was commenced or the VDA entered into, the lookback periods have been reduced substantially, in certain circumstances by up to fourteen years.3 The practical implication of these lookback period reductions is that less unclaimed property is subject to Delaware’s claim – meaning less consternation for businesses, but less revenue for Delaware.

Some Recent Delaware Unclaimed Property Litigation Aside from advocates seeking responsible rebalancing of the state program through legislative change, the business-holder community, chafing under large estimated liabilities and expensive multi-year audits has, in a growing number of instances, challenged Delaware’s unclaimed property practices in both Delaware state and federal courts. Perhaps the best known decision to issue in the past year was in the Temple-Inland litigation filed against the Delaware State Escheator in the Delaware federal district court. In its June 28, 2016 opinion, the Temple-Inland Court delivered a significant blow to Delaware’s use of estimation techniques to determine holder unclaimed property liability for periods in which the holder does not have records. As applied to the audit at issue in TempleInland, the Court found that Delaware’s estimation technique violated the holder’s substantive due process rights due to the combination of such factors as (1) waiting twenty-two years to conduct the audit; (2) failing to give holders notice that they would need to retain unclaimed property records; and (3) applying a prolonged retroactive period to the scope of the audit.4 Although the state’s ability, under the right circumstances, to use of estimation has been subsequently reaffirmed in another decision of the Delaware federal district court,5 the exact parameters of an estimation technique that does not violate holders’ constitutional rights remains unclear. Given this uncertainty, Delaware may face future challenges to the use of estimation in both the audit and VDA context, making the state’s reliance on unclaimed property uncertain at best.

And it has not only been business-holders who have gone after Delaware Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017

DELAWARE BUSINESS

and its unclaimed property program. Over twenty states have joined Texas in filing a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court against Delaware, seeking to recoup approximately $150 million worth of uncashed “official checks” issued by Moneygram that escheated to Delaware.6 Texas and the participating states claim that Delaware’s escheat of the checks is in violation of the Federal Disposition of Abandoned Money Orders and Traveler’s Check Act and that they should have received millions paid to Delaware instead.7 If these states are successful, Delaware could potentially be forced to pay tens of millions of dollars to other states.

Not all of the recent unclaimed property lawsuits Delaware has been involved in have been from a defensive stance. Currently pending in the Delaware Superior Court is a whistleblower action, in which the state intervened, filed against thirty Delaware incorporated retailers and an out-of-state third party gift card issuer, who was retained by the retailers to issue gift cards.8 It is Delaware’s position that the retailers’ arrangement with the out-of-state issuer is a sham and, as Delaware companies, the retailers are legally obligated to remit the unredeemed gift card amounts to Delaware. If the state prevails, some financial recovery would occur, but – again – this revenue recovery is ad hoc and not predictable or reliable for purposes of long term, responsible fiscal planning.

audit notices issued on January 1, 2017 and later, the new audit lookback is twenty-two years prior to the calendar year in which the company is provided written notice of the examination, representing a fourteen year reduction. Pursuant to the Statement of the Delaware Secretary of State, as of August 26, 2016, a ten-year plus the period of dormancy lookback period applies in the VDA context, calculated from the date the holder enrolls in the program.

4 Temple-Inland, Inc. v. Cook, 2016 WL 3536710, at *9 (D. Del. Jun. 28, 2016).

5 See Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. v. Cook, 2016 WL 4414773, at *1 (D. Del. Aug. 16, 2016).

6 Jeff Murdock, 21 States Sue Delaware Over Unclaimed Property, THE NEWS JOURNAL (Jun. 9, 2016), http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2016/06/09/21-states-sue-delawareover-abandoned-money-orders/85647708/.

7 Id. 8 See State ex rel. French v. Card Compliant LLC, 2015 WL 11051006, at * 1 (Del. Super. Ct. Nov. 23, 2015).

9 Hopefully the state will examine reasonable statutory changes to achieve as much, including those in the recently finalized 2016 Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, developed by a drafting committee of the Uniform Law Commission, which drafting committee Michael Houghton has co-chaired.

Michael Houghton is a partner at Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell. He serves on the Delaware Public Policy Institute (DPPI)

Outlook

Board of Trustees.

Putting aside the fact that unclaimed property, at its core, is designed to reunite owners with their property rather than generate operating revenue for states, the status of unclaimed property as anything like a reliable source of revenue for Delaware has been shaken by recent developments.

Legislative changes, as well as a surge of litigation, has and will continue to impact the amount of unclaimed property Delaware will be able to collect going forward. This comes at a time when Delaware faces significant budget shortfalls and revenue challenges. A lot of creative thinking, and legislative modifications, will be required by state officials to appropriately rebalance Delaware’s unclaimed property statute (and its audit and VDA programs) to avoid a material decline in unclaimed property revenue.9 The consequence of not getting it right could mean tens of millions of dollars of lost revenue annually for the state, and an additional significant fiscal challenge for the new Governor and his administration and the members of the Delaware General Assembly. n 10584557.7 1 Governor’s Budget Financial Summary and Charts (2015), available at http://budget. delaware.gov/budget/fy2015/index.shtml.

2 See, e.g., Vipal Monga, Federal Court Delivers Blow to Delaware Unclaimed Property Law, Wall Street Journal, (Jun. 30, 2016, 3:54 PM), http://blogs.wsj.com/cfo/2016/06/30/federalcourt-delivers-blow-to-delaware-unclaimed-property-law/; Matt Bittle, Unclaimed Property Audit Practices Now Under Review, Del. State News, (Aug. 8, 2016), http://delawarestatenews.net/ news/unclaimed-property-audit-practices-now-review/; Matthew Albright, Settlement Watched For Impact on Delaware Budget, The News Journal, (Aug. 9, 2016, 1:04 AM), http://www.

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delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2016/08/08/unclaimed-property-settlement/88387730/.

3 For pending examinations (audits begun prior to July 1, 2015) the audit lookback period is now to January 1, 1986, a five year reduction. For audit notices issued between July 1, 2015 and

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December 31, 2016, the audit lookback period extends to January 1, 1991, a ten year reduction. For DELAWARE BUSINESS

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COASTAL ZONE ACT A Call for Modernization

Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act: Landmark Legislation Signed on June 28, 1971, the Coastal Zone Act was a landmark piece of legislation. The Act created a zone, running the length of Delaware’s coastline and including lands around the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Rehoboth Bay, in which no heavy industry was allowed unless it was in operation on June 28, 1971. It also created an elaborate permitting process for new industry allowed in the Coastal Zone. Read more at www.dscc.com/CZA-Landmark-Legislation Rebecca Byrd

Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act: Then and Now The Coastal Zone Act (CZA), initially promulgated as an executive order in December of 1970 to halt the construction of a second oil refinery by Shell Oil, came into existence in 1971 with a strong push by then Governor Russell Peterson to protect one of Delaware’s most precious resources, namely the coastal areas. Even to this day, the Act is seen as the landmark legislative piece of Governor Peterson’s term, and helped to shepherd the environmental movement in Delaware and in the United States. To better understand the historical precedent of this comprehensive environmental regulation, we should reflect on the environmental movement that now we take for granted… Read more at www.dscc.com/CZA-Then-Now

William Smith, P.G. Principal Hydrogeologist and President Environmental Alliance, Inc.

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Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017

DELAWARE BUSINESS

Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act: Looking Forward

Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act: Path Forward

While the Coastal Zone Act (CZA) had, in 1971, laudable goals that are still relevant today, it has also had the effect of limiting industry in areas of the state, which have historically been hubs of industry. For example, in northern New Castle County, many properties from the PA-DE state line to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal have been industrial sites for many years. It is not in anyone’s best interest to jeopardize the areas of Delaware’s coastline that are pristine and an important tourism driver in our state. However, Delawareans must also realize that manufacturing and industry have been an important part of Delaware’s economy and that must continue, even it means loosening some of the restrictions in the CZA… Read more at www.dscc.com/CZA-Looking-Forward

“I had no idea that Delaware has all this!” exclaimed Interior Secretary Ken Salazar during a flight over the Delaware Bayshore that we took together with Governor Markell and Senator Carper in 2012. Secretary Salazar had enjoyed past visits to Wilmington, Newark, and our beaches, but he was simply blown away flying over mile after mile of pristine wetlands and meandering creeks—punctuated by thousands upon thousands of shorebirds dotting the shoreline. His utterance reflected an immediate appreciation of the vast ecological and economic value of this remarkable region, which he declared a “national treasure…”

Read more at www.dscc.com/CZA-Path-Forward

Rebecca Byrd Vice President

Collin O’Mara

The Byrd Group, LLC.

President and Chief Executive Officer National Wildlife Federation

Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act: If No Coastal Zone Act Modernization, What’s Next?

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, along with others in the business community, have urged modernizing the Coastal Zone Act (CZA) in order to spur the next generation of economic growth in Delaware. The focus of modernization has been solely on existing industrial sites sitting abandoned or underutilized where redevelopment of the property is hindered by Delaware specific restrictions created by the Coastal Zone Act. Recognizing that any effort toward modernization will involve community education, the process has begun at the State Chamber and will continue in the coming months. It may come as a surprise that Delaware has lost over 1000 jobs from companies located in the Coastal Zone in the last few years. These were quality jobs and are proving difficult to replace.

Much of that difficulty stems from CZA regulations that serve as a barrier for companies interested in purchasing and redeveloping property in this state… Read more at www.dscc. com/CZA-Whats-Next

Formerly Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act: A Call for Reform Delaware’s coastal zone is nationally and internationally recognized for its beauty, diversity, and protected open space. The Coastal Zone Act was intended to strike a careful balance between economically and environmentally beneficial activities—protecting open space from industrial development while controlling both new and existing industrial uses. In 1971, there were dozens of thriving industrial and manufacturing facilities in the coastal zone. Those plants employed thousands of Delawareans, and many of us have friends and relatives that worked in those plants or in the businesses that supported those manufacturing facilities.

The Coastal Zone Act filled an important void in the environmental regulatory arena— environmental regulation was virtually nonexistent, and comprehensive permitting programs like those in the current Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act did not exist… Read more at www. dscc.com/CZA-Reform Robert W. Whetzel

James DeChence

Attorney

Senior Vice President of Government Affairs

Richards, Layton & Finger

Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

Chair, DSCC Environmental Committee

jdechene@dscc.com DELAWARE BUSINESS

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PHOTO BY NICK WALLACE PHOTOGRAPHY

Delaware’s Party on The Hill

BY JOHN SWEENEY

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A FRIEND or two, throw a party.

Better yet, throw it in the U.S. Capitol so members of Congress and their staffs can get a taste of what you have to offer.

That is what U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce have been doing for the last six years. And it’s working.

Every Dec. 7 – Delaware Day, naturally – the senator’s office and the chamber put together a “Taste of Delaware” to give the folks on “The Hill” just that, a sampling of the food, beers, wines and the sense of neighborliness that the First State has to offer.

December’s event was the biggest yet. More than 600 people crowded into the elegant and historic Kennedy Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building. Visitors to the late afternoon affair tasted Dogfish Head beer, Capriotti’s subs and Sea Watch International’s clam chowder. And much, much more.

The annual event began soon after Sen. Coons took office in 2010. He noticed other small states were getting recognition for their events. So why not Delaware and why not on Delaware Day? A tradition began was born.

“This is good for Delaware in a lot of ways,” A. Richard Heffron, the chamber’s president, said. “People who work on the Hill get to know a little bit about Delaware. Members of the media get a chance to know us better.

“After all, a lot of these people vacation in Rehoboth Beach,” Heffron added. “So it’s good for business. Sen. Coons’ staff in Washington gets to match names and faces. And Chris Coons’ colleagues in the Senate get to 42

understand some of the things Delaware has to offer.”

Sen. Coons says it gives everyone a chance to be a Delawarean for a day.

Delaware’s new governor agrees. John Carney said that during his six years as Delaware’s sole member of the House of Representatives, he learned it is vital to get to know the people in the Capitol and for them to get to know you. “When you’re one of 435 members in the House, it helps to toot your own horn a little.”

The “Taste of Delaware” event is a great way of doing it.

Edward Mulvihill of Peco’s Liquors said it is a way of celebrating the state’s growing beer, wine and spirits industry. This was his third time at the event. Each time he found more guests making the connection between the products and Delaware. “This is hard to believe,” he said, “but someone just said, ‘Wow, I had no idea that Dogfish Head beer was from Delaware.’ Now they know.”

Whether they know the beer is from Delaware or wherever, guests had no trouble finding Dogfish Head’s stand in the packed Kennedy Caucus Room. Casey Hollingsworth, a regional sales manager for the brewer, was busy pouring samples. “This is great. It’s a chance for people to get to know Delaware. Best of all, it’s a celebration of entrepreneurship.”

Guests at the event raved about the food. Nicholas Grant, who works at the Capitol, loved the mac and cheese from the BBC Tavern and Grill in Greenville. Emerald Nguygen, another Hill staffer, pointed out the Bloody Mary shrimp cocktails from the Hyatt Place in Dewey Beach. Staffer Jared Rifil was eager to dig into a Capriotti’s offering.

Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

Left: Delcastle Technical High School culinary Getting hot dogs, crab cakes, hot plates and The “Taste of Delaware” is also a great students helped Taste of Delaware vendors liquor through security checkpoints is no easy task. teaching opportunity. Students from the food with the set up and break down of the event.

“The vendors start lining up hours before service programs at Delcastle High School, the event,” James F. Paoli explained. Paoli, state Delaware Technical Community College and the Right, Mark Brainard, Delaware Technical Community College; Joe Yacyshyn, M&T Bank; director for Sen. Coons, plays a big role in University of Delaware have worked at the event Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power; Rich making sure thousands of details mesh. Security for years. The program gives them a chance to Heffron, DSCC; Chip Rossi (Chairman), Bank checks come in multiple stages, from early show off their products and a look at how other of America; Don Fulton, George J. Weiner vendors work. Some of the students have even Associates; Chip Rankin, MilliCare by EBC; and registration to repeated ID verifications and equipment scans. ended up getting jobs with the vendors.

Barry Crozier, Belfint, Lyons & Shuman.

Each year is a learning experience for all Delcastle students gave away their own treats involved. and helped with the logistics, rolling in the “One year Grotto brought a pizza truck to make equipment from the loading dock and through fresh pies,” he said. “The trouble was the truck had a propane tank. There the halls of the Senate Office Building and, at the end of the day, rolling was no way that would get through security. So in order to get freshly made it back out again. Delaware Tech students had a hit with their crab cakes. pizzas, the staff had to scramble to find a place to park the truck.

UDairy Creamery students were among the most popular people in the “They found a spot at a service station a few blocks away,” Paoli added. room. They handed out free ice cream. (By the way, the most popular “They paid cash to rent the space and gave the owner some free pizza. You flavor this time was peppermint bark.) could see staffers running up and down the street, bringing a steady stream The 600 plus guests sampled all of Delaware’s offerings, from the ales of Grotto pizzas.” of the Fordham & Dominion Brewing Co. in Dover, to the beers of Twin Lessons learned. This time Grotto brought 40 frozen pizzas, heated on Lakes and Mispillion River breweries, to the vodka and whiskey of the the premises. All 40 quickly went.

Painted Stave Distilling company of Smyrna, and to a new product, cider As did the four trays of Capriotti’s subs disappeared just as quickly. from Civil Cider, set to open in Wilmington this year.

Another favorite was Johnnies Dog House’s offerings. Johnnies owner Food lovers got to nosh on desserts from Chic Treats of Dover, Mark Raphaelson brought 300 hot dogs – grilled on the spot with fixings vegetarian offerings from Home Grown Café in Newark, bacon like chili or sauerkraut. His staff couldn’t keep up with the demand. cheeseburger sausage from Maiale Deli and Salumeria in Wilmington, As the event came to a close, attendees got another taste of pastrami-cured steelhead trout from Matt’s Fish Camp in Bethany Beach, Delaware, one that is unique to the First State. Vice President Joe tasty delights from Paul Cullen’s Tune Your Palate in Millsboro and the Biden, fresh from a U.S. Senate tribute to his career in Washington, Pilot Town Fish Company in Milton, and crab salad with avocado from showed up to thank the Delawareans in attendance for their support the University & Whist Club in Wilmington. over the years. Delawareans supported him in the good days and Snacks for a different audience were provided by Waggies by Maggie during the dark ones, he told the crowd. Republicans as well as and Friends. Waggies sells doggie treats made by people with intellectual Democrats always treated him with decency and fairness. And for that, disabilities. Even here, The Wilmington non-profit organization gained he would always be grateful. He said President Obama and political attention from guests as a great way to help others. commentators always referred to him as a “kid As the “Taste of Delaware” has grown each year, so have logistical from Scranton.” Don’t believe it, he said. “I am requirements. a Delawarean.”

The two people who put it together are Trinity Hall of Sen. Coons’ Quite a closing for Delaware’s day. n Washington office and Kelly Wetzel of the State Chamber. Their work begins long before the event. Not only is there the expected recruiting and scheduling duties involved, but holding an event with more than 20 vendors John Sweeney is a Delaware writer and each bringing food, beer or wine and related equipment involves a juggling editor. act of the first order.

DELAWARE BUSINESS

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The Partnership Inc. THE PARTNERSHIP, INC. IS THE 501(C)(3) education affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. It was created to promote charitable and educational activities by developing and fostering programs that encourage private sector involvement in workforce development and education. Superstars in Education and Delaware Principal for a Day are the organization’s flagship programs.

Superstars in Education is charged with recognizing outstanding educational programs and individual achievements. This event highlights excellence in science teaching, integrated classroom technology practices, and school-to-career partnerships. It also serves the business community and its investment in the future. Delaware’s future depends on the foundation we build in our schools today. It is imperative that today’s students have tangible skills when they are ready to enter the workforce. Whether college bound, preparing for a trade job or working in the manufacturing world, students need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to be productive employees and citizens. Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce.

The Partnership, Inc. recognized 6 Award Winning programs in 2016 at the May 9th Superstars in Education Awards Ceremony hosted at Wilmington University’s Doberstein Admissions Center Auditorium.

• Project SEARCH, Red Clay Consolidated School District • Biomedical/Christiana Care Partnership, Conrad Schools of Science, Red Clay Consolidated School District • Outdoor Classroom, F. Niel Postlethwait Middle School, Caesar Rodney School District • Teacher Professional Learning Program, Sussex Central High School, Indian River School District • 21st Century Stars STEAM Program, William Henry Middle School, Capital School District • Accelerating Preliterate English Language Learners (APELL) Program, Indian River School District In addition, the inaugural John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Jack P. Varsalona, Wilmington University. This award recognizes someone within the community who has provided sustained leadership in advancing Delaware education and who, by doing so, has also made our community Dr. Jack P. a better place in which to live and work.

Varsalona With 40 years of experience as a leader 44

Top: John Sisson, CEO of Delaware Transit Corporation, visited Forest Oak Elementary in Newark for Delaware Principal for a Day, and offered tours of a new DART bus. Bottom: Tidewater Utilities president, Gerry Esposito, was a Delaware Principal for a Day at POLYTECH High School in Woodside.

and advocate in Delaware education, Dr. Varsalona was recognized for his leadership, vision and personal contributions.

Since its inception in 1993, the Delaware Principal for a Day program has facilitated several thousand school visits, joining principals with local business leaders to build grassroots partnerships that are key to developing the workforce of tomorrow. In 2016, the program had 132 schools around the state signed up to host 142 business leaders. n Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017 | DELAWARE BUSINESS

“Delaware Principal for a Day builds business/education partnerships that are good for the state, our communities and your business.”

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VICTORIA C. GEHRT, ED.D. NEW CASTLE COUNTY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

A. RICHARD HEFFRON PRESIDENT THE PARTNERSHIP, INC.

DR. PAUL A. HERDMAN RODEL FOUNDATION OF DELAWARE

RALPH A. KUEBLER MBNA AMERICA BANK RETIRED

DR. ROBERT RESCIGNO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

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Small Business Alliance

2016 Small Business Alliance Year in Review

BY GREG BALLANCE

WITH MORE THAN 90% of businesses in the First State considered small business, the impact and role of the Small Business Alliance cannot be overstated. It was no different in 2016 as we continued to focus on fostering the growth and success of Delaware’s small businesses. From providing leadership in legislative advocacy, to recognizing leaders within State, to promoting a business friendly climate, this year was full of accomplishments.

The 2nd annual Small Business Day in Dover was held on May 12 at Legislative Hall. This event provided an opportunity to introduce small business owners to the power of coming to Legislative Hall – as business owners, who understands our challenges better than we do? We are our best lobbyists. More than 50 business owners participated, resulting in 19 focused meetings between legislators and business owners. Owner of Tri-State Battery Gary Sutch has been in business for 28 years and attended his first meeting in Legislative Hall during Small Business Day in Dover. “I should have come to these much sooner,” he said. “Some of these bills affect the profitability of my company.”

Our Small Business Conference and End-of-Session Legislative Brunch took place on June 7 at Dover Downs. The morning session featured a panel discussion surrounding workforce development and its importance to smoothly running a small business. Brunch featured a recap of the 2016 legislative session with Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins and Speaker of the House Peter Schwartzkopf.

Representative Deborah Hudson and Senator Brian Bushweller were honored with the Small Business Guardian award.

Moving into November, more than 300 business and community leaders from around the state filled the Gold Ballroom of Hotel du Pont for the 18th annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business awards luncheon. On November 9, the event featured a keynote address by Carvertise Co-founder and CEO, Mac Nagaswami and honored eight outstanding companies.

2016 Superstars in Business award winners included Special Olympics Delaware headquartered in Newark; Metro Merchant Services, an e-pay46

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ment processing solutions company in Delaware City; Precision AirConvey Corporation, an industry leader in trim and matrix removal services from Newark; and EDiS Company, a construction management firm headquartered in Wilmington.

The 2016 Award of Excellence recipients included Delaware Humane Association, the state’s premiere nonprofit no kill animal care and adoption center; Sonitrol Security of Delaware Valley, a verified electronic security services provider; Assurance Media, a full service security, A/V and telecommunications solution company; and Duffield Associates, Inc., a soil, water, and environmental consulting firm.

2016 Small Business Alliance Board of Managers

A highlight of the awards luncheon was the honoring of Frank and Donna Masley with the prestigious Marvin S. Gilman Bowl. The Masleys founded Masley Enterprises, Inc. in 2000 to provide highly specialized technical hand wear solutions, structured to meet the needs of the U.S. military. The award recognizes excellence in business and community, a perfect accolade for a family business that exemplifies strong business ethics and service to others. Donna Masley accepted the award, accompanied by two of their three children, Steven and Paige. n

Small Business Alliance Advisory Council

GREG BALLANCE *CO-CHAIR, DIAMOND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

G. KEVIN FASIC, ESQ., *CO-CHAIR, COOCH & TAYLOR P.A.

TIMOTHY BOULDEN, BOULDEN BROTHERS

PAM CORNFORTH, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF DELAWARE

KEN ANDERSON, DELAWARE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

TERRENCE BARCLIFT, BANK OF AMERICA

LAWRENCE DISABATINO DISABATINO CONSTRUCTION CO.

JOHN FLEMING SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, DE DISTRICT OFFICE

JOSEPH FARLEY JR. ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

DONALD T. FULTON, GEORGE J. WEINER ASSOCIATES

CHARLES GILLEAN GLOBAL SUPPLIER DIVERSITY STRATEGIES

DONNA MASLEY, MASLEY ENTERPRISES, INC.

MARTHA GILMAN, GILMAN DEVELOPMENT CO.

JACK HEALY III, HEALY LONG & JEVIN, INC.

STEPHAN LEHM, VANDEMARK & LYNCH, INC.

JAMES B. O’NEILL, PH.D., UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

CHAD MOORE, THE BELLMOOR INN & SPA

JAMES RANDALL

CHIP RANKIN, EBC CARPET SERVICES CORP.

MICHAEL REATH, DELMARVA BROADCASTING COMPANY

DENNIS M. SALTER, NEW CASTLE INSURANCE

CHRISTOPHER SCARPITTI WSFS BANK

MICHAEL S. UFFNER DELAWARE CADILLAC, SAAB, SUBARU AND KIA OF WILMINGTON

ROBERT SMITH, SANTORA CPA GROUP

PRISCILLA TURGON PROFESSIONAL STAFFING EMPLOYEE TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

MICHAEL VANDERSLICE ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE, INC.

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Manufacturing

Delaware Manufacturers Association Reaffirms Commitment to Workforce Development OVER THE LAST YEAR, students in New Castle and Sussex Counties, in partnership with Delaware Technical Community College and the Department of Labor, learned hands on what it means to work in manufacturing. The Pathways to Prosperity program, focused on manufacturing, has won national acclaim as a model curriculum helping to prepare students for life after high school, and was developed in large part due to the commitment of Delaware manufacturers. The program provides students with internship hours, a nationally recognized certificate in advanced manufacturing, and college credits.

Initially developed as a pilot program with New Castle Vo-Tech and Colonial School district, the program has expanded to include Woodbridge High School, with a Kent County component in the works. With upwards of 30% of current manufacturing employees able to retire in the next three years, the members of the Delaware Manufacturing Association knew they needed to take action to ensure they had a new generation of workers with the skills necessary to pick up the baton.

Looking forward, there remains more to do to help Delaware students succeed. Workforce Development remains a cornerstone of the mission of the Delaware Manufacturers Association.

From a legislative perspective, 2016 was a relatively good year for Delaware manufacturers. The General Assembly passed two bills that should make it more attractive for businesses to remain in and relocate to Delaware: the Delaware Competes Act and the Commitment to Innovation Act. The Delaware Manufacturing Association provided input and feedback on these bills, and in the coming year will continue to add our expertise on future bills that will impact our members. One event that brings manufactures and legislators together is our Legislative Brunch, held each spring. This past year we had 40 exhibitors and over 300 attendees to hear from Governor Markell and a panel of experts on supply chain logistics. This year’s focus will be on workforce development.

Though manufacturing has evolved over the years, several core principles have remained – Delaware Manufacturing Association members still produce products that compete globally, they care about their workers, they have a commitment to their community, and the take pride in what they create. n 48

Liza Bartle of Agilent Technologies, retired, is presented with an award of appreciation from the DMA at the annual Legislative Brunch & Manufacturing Conference. Pictured with her, left to right: Rich Heffron, DSCC President; Brian Nixon, DMA Chair; and Gov. Jack Markell.

For more information, or to get involved with the DMA, please contact Cheryl Corn at (302) 576-6572 or ccorn@dscc.com.

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2016 Delaware Manufacturing Association Board of Managers

CHAIR BRIAN NIXON INVISTA

VICE CHAIR LIZA BARTLE AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, RETIRED

VICE CHAIR SCOTT WELCH MOHAWK ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

JOSEPH P. FARLEY, JR. ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL

LOU GARZARELLA, ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP

ERIC GRABER RICH HEFFRON, CALPINE CORPORATION PRESIDENT/SECRETARY, DELAWARE MANU­FACT-­ URING ASSOCIATION

PAUL MORRIS DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

NEAL NICASTRO PPG

DAN PIERCE, FMC BIOPOLYMER

BEDFORD “BUFF” BRUNO EDGEWELL PERSONAL CARE, LLC

ROBERT PRYBUTOK POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOT PICTURED: JOE REINHARDT, ALOFT AEROARCHITECTS

Experience + Focus

JUSTIN CRESSLER KRAFTHEINZ

ROBERT DOLAN* GM ASSEMBLY PLANT, RETIRED

JOSE DOMINGUEZ DELAWARE CITY REFINING COMPANY

MICHAEL ELEHWANY, MILLER METAL FABRICATION, INC.

TOM EMBLEY, PRECISION AIRCONVEY CORPORATION

BRYAN HORSEY BLOOM ENERGY

LEE KIEFFER SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS

MITCH MAGEE* PPG

CHUCK MCCLURE, ATLANTIS INDUSTRIES CORPORATION

K. SCOTT MCNARY PROCTOR & GAMBLE, THE DOVER WIPES COMPANY

ALAN ROGERS KUEHNE COMPANY

ROBERT STEWART CRODA

RUSTYN STOOPS, DELAWARE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

SHER VALENZUELA FIRST STATE MANUFACTURING

JAMES A. WOLFE* CHRYSLER, DSCC, RETIRED *SENIOR COUNCIL

LEGISLATIVE ROSTER 149TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Keeping a close eye on your financial future.

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1-10 copies 11-25 copies 26+ copies

$35 each* $30 each* $35 each*

*Nonprofit organizations receive a $5 discount off the prices in each category

Visit www.DSCC.com or call (302) 655-7221 to order your legislative roster today!

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DPPI

Delaware Public Policy Institute STATUS REPORT

BY BILL OSBORNE

THE DELAWARE PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE (DPPI) continues to provide a factual foundation upon which sound public policy can be crafted to benefit the citizens of Delaware.

Created in 1990, DPPI is a nonpartisan, public policy research organization, affiliated with the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and tax exempt under the provisions of IRS section 501(c)(3). Our mission is to conduct research and encourage study and discussions of policies, programs and issues affecting the State of Delaware and its citizens. We strive to seek out emerging problems that are vital to Delaware’s future public policy agenda. The intent is to preserve options, foster sound policy and avoid a future of limited choices and unpalatable alternatives.

In April, DPPI released a comprehensive study that explained how the average compensation of Delaware state employees substantially exceeds that of workers in Delaware’s private sector with similar levels of education and experience.

The study was conducted by Andrew G. Biggs, Ph.D., a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and found that Delaware state government employees receive salaries that are about 12.4 % lower than those of similarly qualified private sector workers, after controlling for education, experience and other factors. However, state government employees receive a benefits package that is approximately 53% to 102% more generous than is received by most comparable, private sector workers. In particular, health coverage, pension benefits and retiree health plans are substantially more generous for state employees than for Delaware employees working in the private sector.

On average, the Delaware state government employees analyzed receive total pay and benefits that are between $6,716 and $18,383 per year higher than those employees would likely receive in private sector positions, a difference of between 8.5% and 23%. Were Delaware to compensate state government employees at market rates, 50

it would save between $260 million and $720 million in annual compensation costs.

Our report was met with some predictable criticism. Select members of the Delaware General Assembly suggested the results were skewed because we used average wages rather than the median wage. In reality, when using the median salary, the compensation gap of 12.4% is totally eliminated while the disparity in benefits remains.

Delaware is faced with an enormous gulf between projected revenues and expenditures and yet some legislators are proposing providing additional benefits to state employees which will exacerbate this problem. The compensation issue is major and will consume an ever increasing portion of the State’s General Operating Fund if not addressed.

In addition to public sector compensation, DPPI is working with others seeking solutions to major public policy issues including; • Public education funding • Permitting and licensing for land development • Voting recusal provisions for members of the Delaware General Assembly.

DPPI is working with the University of Delaware’s Center for Applied Demography & Survey Research, Center for Community Research & Service plus the Delaware Community Foundations’ DelawareFocus to assemble sound, Delaware-specific research that is based on transparent, reliable sources and can be confidently used to inform public policy for a common good. n

Bill Osborne Interim President Delaware Public Policy Institute bosborne@dscc.com

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Delaware Business Journal full-page 8.5"w x 11"h (7.5 x 10 safe area)

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Ambassador Committee

The Ambassador Committee THE AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE is made up of five volunteer Chamber members, coordinated by Sr. VP of Membership, Chuck James. The ambassadors come from a variety of member categories: Big Companies, Small Business, Retail Stores, Sole proprietors, etc. The purpose of the Ambassador Committee is to increase membership and retention, and to act as a liaison between the State Chamber staff and the membership at large. The Ambassadors attend Chamber events to welcome new members to the Chamber, assist in connecting existing members with each other, and help to recruit prospective members. Ambassadors “take the temperature” of existing members with monthly member satisfaction calls and bring issues to the attention of the Chamber staff that may not come to the surface otherwise.

Members of the 2016 Ambassador Committee: Eric Bentley, Microsoft Store Gary Pawliczek, Ameriprise Jack Coleman, Stouch Lighting Ralph Petti, Continuity Dynamics, Inc. Mike Schwartz, Legal Shield Micah Glover, Liberty Mutual Insurance 2016 Ambassador of the Year: Ralph Petti, Continuity Dynamics

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In 2016, the Ambassadors made nearly 1,000 phone calls to existing members, noting changes in contact information and surveying them on various topics related to their “Chamber experience”. They attended 30 events, and spoke with countless members.

The Ambassadors earn points for all these activities. The points are totaled up at the end of the year and an Ambassador of the year is named.

This year’s Ambassador of the Year is Ralph Petti of Continuity Dynamics for the third year in a row. Please congratulate Ralph when you see him – and you will see him often at Chamber events up and down the state.

Thanks, Ralph! Well done.

Bonus Business Spotlight: Keller Williams Reality & Continuity Dynamics - A Winning Combo!

For an unprecedented third straight year, Ralph Petti, MBCI, CBCP, GRCP, a founder and management consultant at Continuity Dynamics, Inc., and a real estate associate at Keller Williams Reality, has been named as the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year.

With recognition from the US Senate for his volunteer efforts during Hurricane Katrina and his risk management certifications for Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Governance, Risk and Compliance, Ralph continues to leverage his disaster planning expertise with Real Estate Management Firms, and other area companies, into a combined career serving the needs of homeowners, residential tenants and business clients.

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In addition to supporting clients and partners at Continuity Dynamics, Ralph also focuses on residential and commercial real estate as a member of the Christiana-based Keller Williams Reality team. He has spoken at BOMA, IREM, POA, NYARM and other national real estate events to help bring awareness to prepare homeowners and businesses for disaster events.

Ralph has established a firm entrenchment in our community by hiring locally and serving the needs of businesses to help ensure that they would be prepared for disaster events of any kind - including cybersecurity, terror threats as well as fires, floods and power outages. The emergence of specific needs in the real estate marketplace convinced Ralph that this would be a complementary focus for his career - and both have been well received by his clients.

As a volunteer, Ralph is co-chairperson of the National Brain Tumor Society’s 10th Anniversary Walk & 5K Run in Wilmington, DE on April 22, 2017 and serves as the President of the First State Chapter of the Association of Contingency Planners. He is also active as a member of the Delaware Decision Makers, the Wilmington Business Leaders Network and the Societa da Vinci fraternal organizations – as well as the KW Cares Foundation at Keller Williams Realty.

Contact Ralph at 888.977.7475 to learn more about any of these initiatives. n

affidavit

Dick’s familiarity with the business community makes him invaluable for our business needs.

Cheryl Corn, Executive Assistant to the President, Senior Vice President, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

We are consistently pleased with high-quality, creative photos and would highly recommend Final Focus Photography.

Lauren E. Kornsey, Marketing Manager Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP

Dick provides a level of attention to detail & a commitment to excellence that matches our approach to practicing law.

Kurt M. Heyman, Founding Partner, Proctor Heyman Enerio LLP

Dick & Pam Dubroff have consistently produced results that make our attorneys look great and as a marketing professional, make my job easier.

Joanne Owens, Marketing Director Morris James LLP , Attorneys At Law

DICKDUBROFFFINALFOCUSPHOTOGRAPHY 301A Street • Wilmington, Delaware • 19801 • 302 655 7718 • finalfocus.com

DELAWARE BUSINESS | Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2017

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Newsbites Morris Nichols Ranks Among “Best Law Firms” in 2017 Guide U.S. News – Best Lawyers® has once again ranked Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP in its annual guide of the “Best Law Firms.” In the 2017 edition, the firm was selected for inclusion in the national category for “Litigation - Mergers & Acquisitions” as well as a diverse array of Delaware practice categories related to bankruptcy, corporate, intellectual property, and trust law.

These rankings complement the recognition of 31 Morris Nichols attorneys selected for inclusion in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® which was released in August 2016.

Richards Layton Leads Delaware Firms in U.S. News Tier 1 Rankings Richards, Layton & Finger has been recognized for excellence in 22 areas in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers 2017 “Best Law Firms” rankings. The firm received the survey’s top Tier 1 metropolitan ranking in 19 practice areas, the most Tier 1 rankings of any Delaware firm. In this year’s feedback, U.S. News reported that “Richards, Layton & Finger is the best in Delaware.”

Richards Layton’s Tier 1 practices include Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights Law, Bankruptcy Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Copyright Law, Corporate Law, Corporate Governance Law,

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Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Litigation, Patent Law, Patent Litigation, Real Estate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law, Tax Law, Trusts & Estates Law, and Trusts & Estates Litigation. The firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Litigation practice is also ranked nationally.

“We are proud to continue to offer our clients the highest-caliber counsel in every area we practice,” said Gregory Varallo, president of Richards, Layton & Finger, “and we are pleased to see that excellence recognized by publications such as U.S. News.”

BBB Serving Delaware Education Foundation proudly announces Student Ethics Scholarship The 2016-2017 Better Business Bureau of Delaware Education Foundation Scholarships were announced today with a new award added to the list for this year.

For the 8th year, the BBB Education Foundation will offer a $2500 Student Ethics Scholarship each to 2 Delaware High School Seniors who personify high ethics as demonstrated through leadership, community service, overall personal integrity and academic history.

These students will submit transcripts, letters of recommendation along with an essay that answers the question: “What should BBB of Delaware be doing to compete in today’s online world to advance our mission?” The Student Ethics

Scholarship program is sponsored by Hopkins & Sons Moving and Storage and Sallie Mae. The third, and brand new, nontraditional scholarship is a video entry.

This will be awarded to the student that best conveys the BBB mission and one of our core values - TRUST - in a 30-60 second video spot. This scholarship is also open to Delaware High School seniors and will give $2500 as the prize.

“We are thrilled to increase the number of scholarships we are able to offer Delaware High School seniors. We are committed to helping the next generation of consumers understand the value and mission of BBB,” said BBB President Christine Sauers.

Wilmington Nephrologist Elected President of Medical Society of Delaware Prayus T. Tailor, M.D., a Nephrologist who practices with Nephrology Associates, PA, and has affiliations with Christiana Care Health Services, Newark and Wilmington; Saint Francis Hospital, Wilmington, DE; and Union Hospital of Cecil County, Maryland was elected to lead the Medical Society of Delaware (MSD) for 2017 during the professional organizations 227th Annual Meeting on November 19, 2017.

A graduate from Christiana High School, Dr. Tailor studied at The George Washington University and completed medical school abroad at the J.J.M. Medical College, Mysore University, Davangere, Karnataka, India. He returned to the United States to complete his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in nephrology at the Hospital of St. Raphael (Yale University School of Medicine). While there he won awards for Outstanding Resident in his 1st and 3rd years. After

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by a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

The Hub @ 1201 was created to accommodate the rising trend of entrepreneurs who enjoy doing business in an environment that stimulates creativity and inspiration, allows for networking with other business owners, and takes advantage of STAT’s equipment, IT and administrative support. The views are spectacular.

“We understand the challenges of entrepreneurs, having served the business community for more than 30 years,” says Richard Stat, president.

“We decided to dedicate the 8th floor space to provide a new twist on the workplace for professionals who want to work in an environment that provides more freedom and fellowship than a traditional office space.”

Beebe Concludes 100th Anniversary Events with Unveiling of Time Capsule Plaque Beebe Healthcare 100th Anniversary committee members and Beebe team members gathered on the front lawn of the Medical Center in Lewes Monday, November 21, to unveil the new time capsule plaque.

Earlier this month, workers removed the sidewalk in front of the historic Shaw building to bury a time capsule full of information about Beebe’s 100-year-history.

The sidewalk was then replaced with a plaque inserted stating that the time capsule would be uncovered 100 years from now – in 2116.

“It has been a wonderful year and we got to learn a lot about Beebe’s history,” said the Honorable William Swain Lee, Chairman of the Beebe Board of Directors.

“We will continue to do the things that Richard and James Beebe wanted us to do here at Beebe,” said Jeffrey M. Fried, FACHE, President and CEO of Beebe Healthcare. “We will continue their legacy and continue to plan for the future of healthcare in our community.”

completing his fellowship in nephrology, Dr. Tailor was fortunate to be able to come back to his hometown to join practice with Nephrology Associates, PA. Dr. Tailor also served as MSD’s President-Elect in 2016 and as Board Chair of DELPAC, the political action committee of the Medical Society of Delaware in 2015.

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STAT International launches new co-working space

DART’s 19th Annual “Stuff the Bus” Food Drive collects 10.2 tons of Food Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) announced that DART’s 19th annual “Stuff the Bus” Thanksgiving Food Drive collected 10.2 tons (20,414 pounds) of food. The week-long food drive took place from November 7 to November 12 at Walmart in Milford, Acme in Dover, Acme in Fairfax Shopping Center, and Rodney Square in Wilmington; new this year was Acme in Newark on Saturday, November 12. The Food Bank of Delaware will distribute the donated food through its Hunger Relief Partners to Delaware residents in need.

John Sisson, DTC’s Chief Executive Officer, stated “We’re thrilled to hold

Stat International unveiled its new, state-of-the-art co-working space, The Hub @1201, at a festive gathering on Thursday, December 1, at 1201 North Orange Street, 8th floor, Wilmington. The grand opening celebration was followed

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Newsbites Easter Seals “Walk with Me & 5k Fun Run” event is a huge success Easter Seals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore’s fourth annual Walk With Me & 5k Fun Run Delmarva event recently raised more than $39,000 to support services for children and adults with disabilities! Easter Seals credits the success of the event to the support from the Easter Seals Sussex Advisory Board, team members, their families, community sponsors, volunteers and staff. More than 200 people including 23 teams participated in the walk which featured local families served by Easter Seals.

“Easter Seals is overwhelmed by the incredible support of the local community for our fourth Walk With Me Delmarva event,” Kenan Sklenar, President/CEO of Easter Seals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore, said. “I would like to thank the community for their hard work and dedication to supporting people with disabilities.”

Walk With Me event ambassador, Bryson Rosner and his team led the way in fundraising with $3,835 raised by 25 members. Bryson receives children’s therapy services with Easter Seals.

the Stuff the Bus food drive each year.

Thanks to the impressive efforts of our employees, and the kindness and generosity of our riders and the public, it allows us to give back to the community and help Delawareans in need through the Food Bank of Delaware.””

This year’s donations of nonperishable food filled two 30-foot buses. Donations were received from the general public, as well as businesses, schools, organizations, and state agencies throughout the entire State. Donors have come up with some creative ways to raise contributions, whether it’s a school that holds a friendly competition between classes or a homeowners association that donates the funds from their community garden. Again this year, DART partnered with WAFL 97.7 FM and WNCL 101.3 FM, which are part of the Delmarva Broadcasting Company.

Navient Foundation Contributes $22,000 to Delaware Tech to Establish Veterans Resource Center The Navient Foundation contributed $22,000 to Delaware Technical

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Gunnip announces additions and promotions Community College to establish a Veterans Resource Center at the Charles L. Terry Campus in Dover. The center will host guest speakers and student veteran programs such as financial education, career workshops and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) seminars. It also will provide a meeting space for veteran students to study, relax and engage with fellow veterans, and for the Veterans Inspiring Progress (VIP) student organization which offers support and networking for the campus veteran community.

“A college education is more important than ever, including for service members and veterans transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce,” said Mike Maier, a U.S. Navy veteran and senior vice president at Navient. “However, most of the benefits of a college education only come with the degree. The Navient Foundation is proud to provide a dedicated space where Delaware Tech student veterans can get academic assistance and support from fellow veterans — a key to successful degree completion.”

Gunnip & Company CPAs, a full service certified public accounting and consulting firm in Wilmington, Delaware is pleased to announce the following additions to our accounting and auditing team.

Steven Cwiakala graduated from West Chester University with a B.S. in Accounting. Scott Scherer is a recent graduate of St Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, also with a B.S. in Accounting. They will provide auditing, accounting and tax preparation services to a variety of our clients.

Christiana Care Partners with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services on Project Engage Leaders with Project Engage, the exemplary early-intervention substance abuse program at Christiana Care Health System, were keynote

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speakers for an educational webinar on November 9, to showcase how to launch sustainable peer recovery programs in health care systems and communities across the United States.

Hundreds were registered due to the high demand by stakeholders to learn about how Christiana Care’s Project Engage model improves outcomes while reducing costs.

More than 5,000 patients have been helped through Project Engage, and research shows that individuals who have worked with a peer in recovery are significantly less likely to require readmission to the hospital. The average annual savings when engagement specialists have intervened are approximately $6,000 per patient. The program is carried out through a partnership between Christiana Care and Brandywine Counseling and Community Services, a nonprofit that provides substance abuse and mental health services.

Wohlsen Construction Receives Awards of Excellence Wohlsen Construction Company received three Awards of Excellence from the Delaware Contractors Association in the General Building Over $5 million category at the association’s 47th annual meeting.

An Award of Excellence was presented to Wohlsen for the Nanticoke Mears

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Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Business Campus Chesapeake Utilities Corporation held a groundbreaking ceremony on October 17, 2016, at its new Dover campus, a 20.6 acre site on South Bay Road. The event was hosted by Chesapeake and attended by state and local officials and company representatives.

The new campus will accommodate employees of Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (ESNG), Chesapeake Utilities and Chesapeake Utilities Corporation administrative staff. The campus will also serve as a Customer Care center for Chesapeake Utilities’ customers and provide a convenient, central location for both customers and employees.

Facilities on the new campus, which are projected to be completed in early 2018, will include a 57,000-square-foot office building and a 36,000-square-foot warehouse. Construction of the new campus is expected to provide up to 300 construction jobs. Upon completion of the new facilities, ESNG and Chesapeake Utilities will be able to house operational functions in one building with one central warehouse.

Approximately 250 employees will move to the new facility from existing locations throughout Dover.

Medical Office Building in Seaford, DE. The new construction connects two existing office buildings, creating a convenient and inclusive healthcare experience for patients and staff. The twostory building was designed by Becker Morgan Group, Inc. Also receiving an Award of Excellence was the renovation of AIG’s Wilmington office building, Courthouse Square.

Tevebaugh Associates designed the interior and exterior renovations conducted on the occupied, ten-story office building

originally built by Wohlsen in 1984.

Additionally, Wohlsen received an Award of Excellence for the renovations to Presbyterian Senior Living’s Westminster Dover. All work took place in an occupied skilled nursing facility and was designed by RLPS Architects.

Wohlsen Construction Company adds these Awards of Excellence to three received from the Delaware Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

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Newsbites Environmental Alliance - 25 Years of Excellence

Environmental Alliance staff and leadership from all offices joined to celebrate in Wilmington.

The Bottoming Out of the Residences at Mid-Town Park and Mid-Town Parking Wilmington-based developer, The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (BPG), and BPGS held a bottoming out ceremony of Mid-town Parking and The Residences at Mid-town Park, on November 4, at 820 Orange Street, Wilmington Delaware.

The ceremony celebrated the bottoming out of the excavated site that will hold the below-grade, four-level parking garage, consisting of 511 spaces, reaching its final depth at 45’ deep, 190’ wide and 229’ long.

The excavation is the deepest in the City of Wilmington in more than 25 years and marks a major milestone in redevelopment downtown as it is also the first subterranean parking garage in the city.

In addition to the below-grade parking facility, the development includes the creation of Burton Place Passageway,

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Alliance was proud to celebrate its 25th Anniversary on October 1st. Since our inception in 1991, Alliance has grown from a small business to an award-winning company with offices throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. Without the support of our excellent team, it would never have been this successful. Every one of our staff plays a critical role in the development of our company. Their enthusiasm, support and dedication have taken us to new heights of success.

Over the years, we’ve done our very best to maintain our Mission Statement…

Environmental Alliance, Inc. is committed to providing high-quality, responsive service to solve complex problems in environmental remediation and management. We strive to deliver efficient, cost-effective solutions that integrate client goals with regulatory compliance, using state-of-the-art technology.

12,751 square feet of retail space and a two hundred unit, state-of-the-art apartment community, The Residences at Mid-town Park.

Jewish Federation of Delaware Receives Multiple Marcom Awards Jewish Federation of Delaware announced it is the proud recipient of three (3) MarCom Awards in their 2016 international awards competition recognizing outstanding creative achievement by marketing and communication professionals. Federation received Gold Awards for its 2015-2016 Report to the Community and “We Are Stronger TOGETHER” Banner; as well as an Honorable Mention Award for its monthly publication, the Jewish VOICE. “Winning multiple entries in the 2016 MarCom Awards is a wonderful achievement and a testament of our organization’s ongoing commitment to excellence,” stated Seth J. Katzen, Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Federation of Delaware. “Federation appreciates having the ongoing support and partnership between our lay leadership and professional staff who work tirelessly and passionately in improving the world. We Are Stronger TOGETHER.”

Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC Announces New Partner Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC. is pleased to welcome its newest partner, Julie Morgan, CPA. Julie Morgan comes to Whisman Giordano with over 25 years of experience, 18 of which are in the Greater Wilmington area. The partnership with Ms. Morgan allows Whisman Giordano to draw upon her expertise to expand and improve services to its clients.

Julie Morgan was a founding partner of Cetrulo & Morgan Group, which merged with a large Philadelphia area firm in 2014. She spent the majority of her professional career working with emerging businesses, where she’s assisted with financial management, controllership, and accounting operations. During her years in public accounting, Julie Morgan directed audits and financial services primarily for non-profit organizations, lowincome housing tax credit partnerships, wholesale distributors, medical and legal firms, and multi-state construction companies.

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

Nemours Honors Two Companies for Inspirational Generosity The Nemours Fund for Children’s Health is proud to honor Bank of America and the Delmarva Broadcasting Corporation with the Inspiration Award. This award is given to donors (individual, foundation or corporate) that show outstanding generosity and commitment to the community.

The awards were presented at the Nemours annual donor reception on November 17. Chip Rossi, Delaware Market President, and April Birmingham, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, accepted the award for Bank of America.

Jeff Boden, President and CEO; Mike Reath, Vice President and General Manager; and Steve Monz, Operations Manager, accepted the award for Delmarva Broadcasting.

“We are extremely grateful to our corporate partners,” says Cathy Kanefsky, Chief Development Officer of the Nemours Fund for Children’s Health. “For years, Bank of America and the Delmarva Broadcasting Company have gone above and beyond for Nemours and the children we serve. We are incredibly grateful for their support and we look forward to seeing what we can continue to do for kids, together.”

Robert L. Byrd, President (302) 530-4531 • Robert.Byrd@byrdgroupllc.com Rebecca Byrd, Esq., Vice President (302) 690-4992 • Rebecca.Byrd@byrdgroupllc.com Kimberly Gomes, Vice President (302) 530-9093 • Kim.Gomes@byrdgroupllc.com Carrie Archangelo, Social Media/Operations (302) 757-8300 • Carrie.Archangelo@byrdgroupllc.com

(302) 757-8300 phone (302) 322-6000 fax www.byrdgroupllc.com

DELAWARE BUSINESS

Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2017

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Newsbites Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, CPAs Named a 2016 Top Workplace

Winners List. The winners represent a wide range of industries and company size throughout the state.

Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A. (BLS), a certified public accounting and consulting firm, has been awarded the 2016 Top Workplaces honor by The News Journal for the eighth consecutive year.

The Top Workplaces program awards Delaware organizations based solely on the opinions of employees through workplace surveys. Over 1,300 employees were surveyed and 60 companies placed in the 2016 Top Workplaces

Re-Opening of The Lewes Historical Society’s Campus If you’ve recently visited The Lewes Historical Society Campus at 110 Shipcarpenter Street in Lewes, you probably noticed the renovations taking place. Thanks to the generosity of the community and the support of foundations and public funding, the grounds endured a major transformation over the past nine months. Work was completed in October.

To commemorate the re-opening of the Campus, the public was invited to a celebration on November 5. Many

enhancements were made to the property: Brick work and oyster shells used for hardscape now flow through the Campus, bringing the land together, both functionally and aesthetically; With even the most extensive rains, the Campus now drains well, minimizing runoff and helping the environment; Accent lighting now makes the space safer and more inviting during evening hours; and beautiful plantings enhance the landscaping throughout the grounds.

The Lewes Historical Society’s Executive Director, Mike DiPaolo comments, “I hope people will continue to enjoy picnics here, bring their families for games of catch, or just enjoy the grounds while they read a book. We look forward to bringing our signature seasonal events back as well.”

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McCarter & English, LLP proudly supports the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

Renaissance Centre, 405 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 T 302.984.6300 F 302.984.6399 www.mccarter.com BOSTON HARTFORD STAMFORD NEW YORK NEWARK EAST BRUNSWICK PHILADELPHIA STAMFORD WILMINGTON WASHINGTON, DC

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

Corporate Dining-Only Membership*

University and Whist Club Corporate Dining-Only Membership * Corporate Dining-Only Membership ForDining-Only Account Executives andMembership Sales Representatives ** Corporate University and Whist Club University and Club University and Whist Club Corporate Dining-Only Membership * For Account Executives andWhist Sales Representatives For Account Executives and Sales Representatives Our newest Membership level provides access to our dining room for both business lunches and client dinners. Impress your client or customer by closing a deal, or celebrating a sale in our historic Tilton Mansion. Once approved, your company will receive a single monthly bill for all of the enrolled Our newest Membership provides access to our roomdine, for both business lunches and account executiveslevel and sales representatives.

Then,dining they simply sign and go!

For Account ExecutivesUniversity and Sales Representatives and Whist Club

Our newest Membership level provides access to our dining room for both business lunches and

client dinners.

Impress your client or customer by closing a and deal, or celebrating a sale inand our historic Our newest Membership level provides access toExecutives ourby dining room fororboth business lunches For Account Sales Representatives client dinners.

Impress your client or customer closing a deal, celebrating a sale in our historic Mansion. approved, your company will receive aorsingle monthly bill for all of the enrolled clientTilton dinners.

ImpressOnce your or customer by closing a deal,a single celebrating a sale in of our historic Tilton Mansion.

Once client approved, your company will receive monthly bill for all the enrolled executives and sales representatives.

Then,access they simply dine, sign andall go!both Our newest level will provides to our dining room Tiltonaccount Mansion. approved, your company receive a single monthly for thebusiness enrolled lunches a account Once executives andMembership sales representatives.

Then, they simply dine, signbill and go!forof Call Today for Information client Impress your client customer closing a deal, account executives anddinners. sales representatives.

Then,orthey simply by dine, sign and go!or celebrating a sale in our h ext. 107 Tilton Mansion. Once approved, your company will (302) receive658-5125 a single monthly bill for all of the account executives and sales representatives. Then, they simply dine, sign and go!

CallToday Today Information Call forfor Information Call(302) Today for Information 658-5125 ext.ext.

107107 (302) 658-5125

*The Corporate Dining-Only Membership does not include any other club Member privileges or benefits other than dining room access.

805 N. Broom St. Wilmington, DE 19806

www.universityandwhistclub.com

(302) 658-5125 ext.

107 *The Dining-Only Membership does does notfor include Call Today *TheCorporate Corporate Dining-Only Membership notInforma include

any club Member privileges or benefits other other than than anyother other club Member privileges or benefits *The dining Corporate Dining-Only Membership does not include room access. dining room access. any other club Member privileges or benefits other than www.universityandwhistclub.com dining room access. *The www.universityandwhistclub.com Corporate Dining-Only Membership does not

(302) 658-5125 ext. 10

805 N. Broom St. Wilmington, DE 19806

805 N. Broom St. Wilmington, DE 19806

5 N. Broom St. Wilmington, DE 19806 805 N. Broom St. Wilmington, DE 19806  Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2017

DELAWARE BUSINESS

any other club Member privileges or benefits othe www.universityandwhistclub.com dining room access.

www.universityandwhistclu 61

Beth Press

Linda Pappajohn

Call 302-737-6200 or toll free 800-347-0116

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  DELAWARE BUSINESS

DELAWARE BUSINESS

Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2017

63

2017 Mark Your Calendars!

DSCC’s Year Ahead

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Annual Dinner

MARCH

Manufacturing Conference & Legislative Brunch

Networking Breakfast 2.15.17

3.21.17

State of the Guard presented by the Joint Military Affairs Committee

Meet the New Members 1.17.17

APRIL Networking Breakfast

Blue Rocks Frawley Stadium

Meet the New Members

Networking Breakfast

3.8.16 St. Georges Technical H.S.

MAY

JUNE

5.8.17

End of Session Legislative Brunch 6.7.17 Golf Outing

Networking Breakfast

5.19.17

4.18.17

JULY

AUGUST

Evening Mixer Dogfish Head

SEPTEMBER Evening Mixer

Networking Breakfast Meet the New Members

Want to host a breakfast at your business? Call us for more information!

Chamber Chase 9.7.17

Delaware Networking Station 9.20.17

Networking Breakfast

7.18.17

OCTOBER

9.6.17

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Government Affairs Retreat 10.19-20.17

10.23-27.17

11.8.17

Meet the New Members

Networking Breakfast

10.17.17

Networking Breakfast

Christiana Mall

Listed dates are subject to change, and some recurring events may not yet be secured.

Please check www.dscc.com to stay up-to-date on events and registration, and subscribe to our email list.

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

Some kids would give anything to go to school.

Thanks to the First State School at Wilmington Hospital, chronically ill youngsters can get a quality education even as they receive the medical treatment they need. The first school of its kind in the U.S. is a colaboration between Christiana Care and the Delaware Department of Education through the Red Clay School District. The First State School is one more way we’re partnering with the community to make a difference.

www.christianacare.org

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

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  DELAWARE BUSINESS

Proud Member... ...since 2004.

Because good business builds strong communities.

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DELAWARE BUSINESS Ja nu a r y /Ad_v3.indd Fe br u a r y12017 14_889_PG_AD DE Business Magazine

67 12/8/14 7:58 AM

Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

SMALL STATE. BIG BENEFITS. UPS Shipping Discounts Save up to 34% on a broad portfolio of shipping services including: • Up to 34% on UPS Air letters including UPS Next Day Air®* • Up to 30% on UPS Air packages (1 lb.+) • Up to 32% on UPS International imports and exports • Up to 16% on UPS Ground shipments • Savings begin at 70% on UPS Freight® shipments over 150 lbs.

DSCC members can receive these discounts even if you already have a UPS account. Whether you need your documents or packages to arrive the next day or are looking for the most affordable shipping option, UPS understands the importance of reliability, speed, and cost. Plus, the more you ship, the more you can save with UPS. To enroll and start saving today, visit www.savewithups.com/dscc.

For more information, call 1-800-MEMBERS (1-800-636-2377).

UD Online MBA Scholarship Through an Affiliate Partnership with the Lerner College of Business & Economics, Chamber members will receive a 10% discount off of their tuition for the University of Delaware Online MBA Degree Program.

The Lerner College Online MBA is an AACSB-accredited program that can be completed in as little as sixteen months. This powerful new education option offers the quality, flexibility, and convenience to earn an MBA degree from a highly regarded, nationally ranked, public university.

Visit www.apdegree.com/DSCC to get started.

Prescription Drug Discount Card The Delaware Drug Card will provide savings of up to 75% on prescription drugs at more than 50,000 pharmacy locations across the country. The Delaware Drug Card has no restrictions to membership, income or age, and you are not required to fill out an application. This program helps all residents of Delaware afford their prescription medications.

Member-to-Member Discount Directory State Chamber members offer substantial savings on products and services to fellow members. To see the full 68

list of discounts online, visit www.dscc.com and click on Member2Member Discounts.

Notary Service Did you know that Notary Public services are free for Chamber members? Call (302) 655-7221 to make an appointment to stop in for a notary seal on your documents.

Certificate of Origin Documents Certificate of Origin documents are $20 for Chamber members ($100 for non-members). Call (302) 655-7221 for more information.

Delmarva Broadcasting Company 15% in bonus airtime on commercial orders placed by new advertisers on any Delmarva Broadcasting radio station.

Contact Mike Reath at mreath@dbcmedia.com or call (302) 478-2700 for more information.

Dental and Vision Plan Dominion Dental Services provides dental and vision benefits on a group and individual basis with competitive, member-exclusive rates.

Dental care coverage for most diagnostic and preventive services is 100% with up to 80% coverage for restorative care including fillings, root canals, crown and bridge work, periodontal treatment, oral surgery and more.

Go to www.dscc.com/chamber/dental_plan.aspx or call (888) 5185338 for more information. No application fee for DSCC members.

Constant Contact Email Marketing Service State Chamber members are eligible to receive discounts on their Constant Contact account subscriptions. Members can save 20% if they prepay for 6 months and 25% if they prepay for 12 months. That is a 10% deeper discount than what is available to other customers. To sign up, visit the Constant Contact link on the State Chamber’s members-only page or call (866) 876-8464 to activate your member discount.

Continuing Education Certificate Discounts Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2017

DELAWARE BUSINESS

The University of Delaware offers a 10% discount to State Chamber members when they choose to sign up for continuing education certificate programs.

LegalShield All Delaware State Chamber members and member companies now have the opportunity to access affordable legal services.

LegalShield is one of the nation’s leading providers of legal safeguards for individuals, families, small businesses and employee groups.

Member companies can join the more than 37,000 companies currently offering LegalShield’s personal legal plans as a voluntary benefit to their employees. Through LegalShield’s personal legal plans, employees gain access to unlimited personal legal advice from LegalShield provider attorneys on topics such as mortgages, wills, contracts, and more. Employees also have the option to enroll in LegalShield’s identity theft plans for the added benefits of identity monitoring and identity restoration services. LegalShield’s personal legal plans

also effectively reduce employee stress and absenteeism while driving increased productivity.

The Small Business Plan provides member companies with legal advice and counsel on any business legal issue, contract and document review, debt collection, trial defense and more.

In eliminating cost barriers associated with obtaining legal counsel, LegalShield’s Small Business Plan ensures members have access to the legal support they need to grow and protect their businesses. Currently, LegalShield services 140,000 businesses.

LegalShield now offers Launch – a superior program that helps people start and protect new business entities, such as DBAs, LLCs and corporations. LegalShield helps people looking to start their own business. To get started with LegalShield, visit www.legalshield.com/info/dscc. For more information, contact Independent Associate Mike Schwartz at (302) 275-8898 or visit mikeschwartz.legalshieldassociate.com.

Access full details on these benefits of membership in the members-only section of the DSCC website. For more information about obtaining your company’s members-only login credentials, please email info@dscc.com.

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Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2017

302.421.6800 69

CHAMBER Committees State Chamber members play a visible, active role in the business community by serving on committees. If you would like to get involved, contact the committee’s Chamber representative or register online at www.dscc.com.

Delaware Young Professionals Network The Delaware Young Professionals Network (DYPN) continued its focus on professional development, volunteering and networking in 2016. To further professional development, the DYPN hosted Bryan Shupe, Mayor of the City of Milford, who spoke on entrepreneurialism and how to work in a position of leadership when one might be the youngest in the room. The group also hosted its 4th annual golf outing where young professionals were matched with seasoned business leaders to encourage mentorship. To give back to the community, the DYPN volunteered its time at St. Patrick’s Center in April, serving lunch and organizing the clothing closet, and doing home demolition for a remodel project with Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County in September.

Clockwise from top left: Bryan Shupe, Mayor of Milford, speaks leadership, entrepreneurialism and government at the UD STAR Campus in March 2016. The DYPN Committee and leaders from DSCC membership took to the golf course at Deerfield for a day of networking and mentorship.

DYPN Committee prepped for their demolition project with a Habitat for Humanity.

Chair: Matt Grygiel, M&T Bank Contact Kelly Wetzel at (302) 576-6564 or kwetzel@dscc.com.

Economic Development Committee The committee was tasked with advancing economic policies that facilitate the expansion of existing companies and advocate for strategies that increase the tax base and create higherincome employment opportunities. Committee meetings were highlighted by key guest speakers including: Governor Jack Markell; DEDO Secretary Bernice Whaley; Robert Perkins, Executive Director - Delaware Business Roundtable; Jeff Flynn, Economic Development Director - City of Wilmington and Bill Osborne, Interim President - Delaware Public Policy Institute.

Chair: Mike Vanderslice, Environmental Alliance, Inc. Contact Mark DiMaio at (302) 576-6575 or mdimaio@dscc.com.

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Employer Advocacy and Education Committee Tim Holly took over the committee from longtime chairman Kevin Fasic, Cooch & Taylor and Lori Brewington, Richards, Layton and Finger is serving as vice-chair. Comprised of business owners (small, medium, large) and HR professionals, the committee has been revamped in part to have greater focus on labor and employment law and its impact on Delaware businesses. The committee has weighed in on a number of pieces of legislation focused on employment law, and expects more of the same in the new General Assembly. Chair: Tim Holly, Connolly Gallagher.

Environmental Committee The subcommittees that make up the environmental committee were tasked with assisting in regulatory changes to a number of key areas this year, most notably in the review of Title V air quality emissions and the rates emitters will be paying for the next three years. The committee also was involved in efforts to modernize the Coastal Zone Act and held a seminar in Dover emphasizing the commitment to keeping current pristine lands free from development and focusing on sites historically used for heavy industry. Chair: Bob Whetzel, Richards, Layton and Finger; Co-chair: Stu Widom, Calpine Corporation.

Health Care Committee This year the Health Care Committee focused on the impacts of addiction in the workplace, with specific attention paid to Delaware’s opioid crisis. Culminating with a panel discussion held at A.I. duPont Nemours Hospital, the Committee helped highlight the issue of addiction, and a few of the available treatment centers and resources available for employers to help their employees and their families. The panel of experts discussed how employers can better understand the nature of addiction and shared innovative programs occurring in the workplace to help employers and employees address addiction issues. Chair: Paula Roy, Roy & Associates.

Joint Military Affairs Committee In 2015 the Joint Military Affairs Committee (JMAC) of the State Chamber and New Castle County Chamber along with the long standing Military Affairs Committee of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce came together to create the “Warrior Friendly Business” award. The award is presented to one small business (under 50 employees) and one large business each year for rising above their peers in the categories of; 1) Hiring service members or veterans, 2) Preparing our service members, veterans and their families for the workforce through job readiness DELAWARE BUSINESS

Ja nu a r y / Fe br u a r y 2017

initiatives, and 3) Promoting outside of their own business the benefits of hiring service members and veterans.

This year’s recipients; Delaware Technical Community College, and Delmarva Veteran Builders were presented their awards at the annual Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve banquet on June 15, 2016 by Governor Markell. In addition to the trophies presented at the banquet, a plaque has been created to memorialize the annual winners through the years and Governor Markell has agreed to place this in his Wilmington office in a place of prominence to help promote the award in future years. Chair: Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power.

Delaware Technical Community College accepts the JMAC Warrior Friendly Award.

Tax Committee The focus of the Tax Committee is to review, and make recommendations, on tax policy impacting the Delaware business community and the health of Delaware’s economy. This year the Committee weighed in on changes to how Delaware calculates its Corporate Income Tax, an increase and expansion of the R&D Tax credit, efforts to expand the overall tax base, the impact of recent developments involving abandoned property rules and looking at how to make Delaware’s revenue system more predictable. Chair: Jordon Rosen, Belfint, Lyons & Shuman.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee spent time this reviewing the Coastal Zone Act, and the positive impact modernizing the Act would have on economic development and related infrastructure improvements. They held a joint seminar in Dover with the Chamber’s Environmental Committee to educate the businesses community on suggested changes.

The committee also reviewed potential investments in water infrastructure and their impact on the state. In the coming year the committee will focus on a renewed interest from the federal government in infrastructure spending and its potential impact on Delaware. Chair: Roger Roy, Roy & Associates Contact James DeChene at (302) 576-6560 or jdechene@dscc.com.

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CALL THE CHAMBER The State Chamber of Commerce staff works for you, serving our member companies and organizations statewide.

This State Chamber staff directory lists phone numbers and email addresses, as well as individual areas of responsibility.

If you need business assistance or information, please don’t hesitate to call.

A. Richard Heffron 576-6563 President rheffron@dscc.com

Linda D. Eriksen Accounting Associate

Marianne K. Antonini 576-6567 Sr. Vice President Finance & CFO mantonini@dscc.com

Ken Evans 576-6576 Account Executive kevans@dscc.com

Cheryl Corn Executive Assistant to the President Sr. Vice President Communications The Partnership, Inc.

Chuck James 576-6562 Sr. Vice President, Membership cjames@dscc.com Ambassador Committee

576-6572 ccorn@dscc.com

Denée Crumrine Communications Manager 576-6566 Delaware Business Production dcrumrine@dscc.com Digital Communication, Website James DeChene 576-6560 Senior Vice President of Government Affairs jdechene@dscc.com Mark A. DiMaio Director for Grassroots and Research

576-6575 mdimaio@dscc.com

576-6569 leriksen@dscc.com

Fred Miller 576-6579 Advertising Sales fmiller2@dscc.com Member Retention Bill Osborne 576-6590 Interim President, DPPI bosborne@dscc.com Kelly Wetzel 576-6564 Events Manager kwetzel@dscc.com Program & Communications Specialist Small Business Alliance Delaware Young Professionals Network

DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1201 N. Orange Street, P.O. Box 671 Wilmington, DE 19899-0671 (302) 655-7221 / Fax (302) 654-0691 (800) 292-9507 Kent & Sussex counties www.dscc.com Blog: delawarebusinessmagazine.com facebook.com/delawarestatechamber twitter: @Destatechamber

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

DELAWARE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

NEW LOGO

THE BIG CHILL

How DEMEP Helped a Local Manufacturer Save Thousands

MARKELL ON MANUFACTURING A Q&A with Governor Jack Markell

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Delaware Tech’s Dual Enrollment Program Readies Future Manufacturing Workforce

Construction Management • General Contracting • Design-Build • Interiors • Building Information Modeling

EDiS COMPANY 108 Years of successful buildings rising from a foundation of amazing people.

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