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Salisbury Star PO Box 1000 Seaford, DE 19973-1000
Vol. 3 No. 9
Complimentary
December 2016
COMPOSER- Salisbury School student Lila Quillin aspires to have a career as a composer and is getting a head start. Page 25
Women in business
Local woman play key roles in area businesses. Pages 6-11
STATE CHAMPS- The Delmar varsity field hockey team brings home its first state championship. Special section in next month’s Salisbury Star. Page 18 FRUITLAND AWARDS- The Fruitland Chamber of Commerce hands out awards during its annual holiday social and awards banquet. Pages 3 and 5
INDEX Bulletin Board............................ 22 Business Digest........................ 12 Business Directory...............32-33 Church........................................ 23 Delegate’s Report........................ 3 Education .............................25-28 Entertainment............................ 23 Final Word.................................. 35 Health....................................29-31 Personnel................................... 14 Real Estate................................. 17 Salisbury University.................. 27 Sports....................................18-21 The Great Outdoors.................. 21 Veronica Correa......................... 31
BANQUET- Maryland State Senator Jim Mathias, Jr., right, and Wicimico County Councilman Joe Holloway share a laugh with the crowd and with Delmar Citizens of the Year Anna and Gary Humphrey, shown in background, during this year’s Delmar Citizen of the Year Banquet, sponsored by the Greater Delmar Chamber of Commerce. Story on page 4. Photo by Mike McClure
Kim Gillis balances her family, work and chamber chair duties
By Al Higgins
Born and raised in Elkton and educated at Salisbury University, Kim Gillis is a rising star within the Salisbury business community. Besides her job as the mother of a two year-old and 11 month-old sons, Kim is a Senior Associate with the Becker Morgan Group and the current Chairman of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce. She’s a busy lady. Her career began when Becker Morgan founder – Tom Becker – came across her resume’ as she was about to graduate from Salisbury University. He offered her a job and she has been with the firm for 17 years. Her first contact with the Chamber of Commerce was as a representative of Becker Morgan, and over the years her responsibilities
within the Chamber grew, culminating in her election as Chairman. “During my year as Chairman I have had the opportunity to witness many changes and happenings, but the one that I am really pleased with is the overwhelming success of our Young Entrepreneur Program,” said Gillis. “This past spring middle school and high school students had an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a group of ten investors at the Salisbury University School of Business. As a result of this forum, one student received a grant of $5,000 and another $15,000 to pursue their business idea. This is an ongoing program within the Chamber and we are very proud of it.” Much of her past year was spent working within the structure of the Chamber. “We are undergoing internal
changes and introducing new people into our organization. The structure of the Chamber is the result of efficiencies developed over the past 90 years. I am fortunate to be able to work with an amazing Board of Directors and staff,” she said. Although she has greatly enjoyed her time as Chairman of the Chamber it was not always easy. “I have a deep respect for working parents. My days are filled with juggling my responsibilities between my job, the Chamber and my family. My husband Brad is also very active in the Chamber – he’s a past Chairman – and he is very busy with his own development company and within the community. What I’ve learned is the need to focus on whatevContinued on page 6