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Newsbites
Easterseals Expands to Milford
The recent ribbon-cutting for the new Easterseals Caregiver Resource Center at the Milford Wellness Village brought together families and local and state officials in support of the services being offered there for caregivers and their families.
“We are proud to offer support and valuable resources for caregivers and their families through this program and new location,” Easterseals President and CEO Kenan Sklenar says. “At Easterseals, we are constantly growing and evolving to meet the needs of our community. We have been doing so for 75 years as a local Easterseals affiliate and we are just getting started!”
Michael T. French, CPA Retires from BLS
Michael started at Belfint, Lyons & Shuman (BLS) on January 1, 1980, as the firm’s first ever co-op. He has the distinguished achievement of working his entire public accounting career at BLS and working his way from an entrylevel position to director to managing director.
Michael’s passion and desire to uphold BLS’s legacy has been instrumental in preserving a culture of quality and integrity both for clients and within the firm. As he began to contemplate retirement, he passed the baton to the firm’s new executive directors on January 1, 2022.
Michael states, “The firm, staff, clients, and community have always been my priority. I am hopeful that I’ve laid the groundwork for those that remain to continue to build on the great legacy that has been left for BLS. However, I’m most hopeful to be known as a good friend, a good father, and especially a good husband, who just happened to be a good CPA.”
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce congratulates Michael on his retirement and thanks him for his service on our Board of Governors since 2019.
Perdue Farms CEO Randy Day Retires
Perdue Farms, the 103-year-old, family-owned company and fourth-largest producer of chicken products in the United States, announced the intention of Randy Day, CEO, to retire this summer.
Day, who has worked at Perdue for more than 40 years, has served as CEO since 2017. He will remain in his current role to assist Kevin McAdams, COO and president, in the succession transition.
“Randy has been instrumental to some of our company’s biggest initiatives in both agribusiness and food production and will be instrumental in the CEO succession plan as well. I am incredibly grateful to Randy for his years of service at Perdue,” said Jim Perdue, chairman of Perdue Farms.
YMCA of Delaware Welcomes New CFO
The YMCA of Delaware welcomed a new team member—Peter DeGregorio as the organization’s chief financial officer. Peter brings 14 years of experience in financial management and business administration.
“We are committed to attracting top-tier talent to Delaware,” said Jarrett Royster, YMCA of Delaware CEO. “Peter DeGregorio has a track record of making impactful change with the YMCA. We’re excited to tap into his wealth of knowledge, utilizing his experience to further our mission and increase our reach across the state in all the communities we serve.”
Most recently, Peter served as director of financial planning and analysis and risk management at the Boston YMCA.
Tech Council of Delaware Receives Grant
The Tech Council of Delaware, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the local tech ecosystem and improving workforce diversity, received a $25,000 grant from Bank of America to launch the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) Academy in Delaware.
The grant will allow the Tech Council of Delaware to enroll 100 residents from New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties in the American Dream Academy. The Academy is a tuition-free, six-month online learning program designed to give young Americans the skills and training they need to pursue a great job or continue their education. By earning an American Dream Academy credential, learners improve their chances of qualifying for entry-level tech positions, thereby increasing their economic mobility.
According to the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, “The American Dream Academy scholarship program is one of the most ambitious efforts to date using online learning to further employment opportunities for young Americans from disadvantaged communities.”
As a workforce intermediary, the Tech Council of Delaware, its members and strategic partners work collaboratively to create innovative workforce solutions and training programs to close skill gaps, build diverse talent pipelines, and eliminate structural barriers that prevent underrepresented Delawareans from connecting with, and thriving in, high-quality tech careers.
Outreach and information sessions take place in June, and the application period opens in July. Learners will be onboarded in August, and training is set to begin in mid-September. Learn more at techcouncilofdelaware.org.
AAA Club Alliance Announces New EVP
AAA Club Alliance announced Krista Conte has joined the organization as executive vice-president, insurance. She will lead the growth and continued transformation of AAA’s insurance business.
“Krista brings extensive industry experience in advancing long-term, strategic and transformative growth while also delivering on near-term results,” President David McMullen said. “We know her leadership will greatly enhance our insurance operations and ultimately our service to AAA members and customers.”
Dombrowski Joins Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation’s Board of Directors
The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation (PDFF) appointed founding partner at Grey Fox Wealth Advisors, Kevin Dombrowski, to the board of directors.
“We are excited to welcome Mr. Dombrowski to the board. His experience and knowledge in the entrepreneurial world is an exceptional fit for the foundation, especially as we strive to expand the legacy of our namesake,” said Stephanie Johnnie, PDFF’s executive director.
“Governor du Pont consistently demonstrated that Delaware prospers when we focus on a willingness to act, a belief in free enterprise, and a commitment to entrepreneurship.” Dombrowski said. “As a board member for the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, I am honored and excited to work toward his vision, further the organization’s mission, and support the next great innovators of the First State.”
Fisher’s Popcorn Expands to Frankford
Fisher’s Popcorn, which has produced hand-crafted gourmet popcorn in Delaware for 40 years, has chosen Frankford, Delaware, as the location for a new $4.85 million facility that will more than quadruple the space for its manufacturing and wholesale operations.
Fisher’s Popcorn of Delaware currently has 22 full-time employees staffing its manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and e-commerce operations, all of which are in Sussex County. The company plans to create 20 additional wholesale jobs at the new site over the next three years.
“Fisher’s Popcorn has been a part of the Delaware beach experience and the Sussex County business community for 40 years, and we’re glad the company has chosen to expand here for its next phase of growth,” said Governor John Carney. “Delaware is a great place for manufacturing. This new facility will enable Fisher’s Popcorn to better serve its existing customers and grow its production and wholesale operations.”
Fisher’s Popcorn officials presented an application to the state for funding to support the company’s investment in construction, fit-out costs, and new equipment, which was approved. “We’re very grateful for the opportunity to expand our operations while still being part of our local community here in Delaware,” said Vice President Russell Hall, who runs the company’s wholesale and e-commerce divisions. “This expansion will enable us to bring the classic flavors of the Delaware beach resorts to more people around the country while adding quality jobs in Sussex County. The grant assistance from the state is a key component to making this happen.”
BPG Announces Market West Project
Wilmington-based developer The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (BPG) announced Market West, a thriving mixed-use campus across five city blocks in downtown Wilmington comprised of the Nemours, Brandywine, and Dupont buildings and CityCenter and ParkBPG parking garages. As the geographical center located at 1007 N. Orange St, the Nemours building will be the flagship of the campus and rebranded as the Market West building. The Brandywine building will also be renamed 1000 N. West. The $230 million redevelopment signifies the reunification of these five buildings that were all purchased from the Dupont Company over the course of 19 years, and the repositioning of the former 3 million square foot Dupont worldwide headquarters campus into Delaware’s premiere mixed-use neighborhood and the lifestyle epicenter of the City of Wilmington.
“Market West is the culmination of 25 years of acquiring and repurposing the former Dupont worldwide headquarters complex,” said Chris Buccini, co-president of the Buccini/Pollin Group. “While we continue to honor and respect the century-old history of these buildings, we are ecstatic to introduce Delaware’s premiere live-work-play neighborhood. At Market West, a new history will be created in the century to come.”
