Business people, Feb. 9, 2016

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Kmiec joins Committee of 100

The Board of Directors of the Committee of 100 announced that Jennifer Kmiec has recently joined the staff in the newly created position of Associate Director.

Kmiec will serve part time with Executive Director Paul Morrill, focusing on member communications, events, and education.  She is the Founder of Inspiring Women in STEM, which develops and manages regional conferences that offer women leadership, professional, and personal development programing.  She is also Immediate Past Chair and was a founding board member of the Delaware BioScience Association, and was the first Executive Director of the Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance.  Kmiec currently serves on the Board of the Technology Forum of Delaware, and on the Delaware Small Business Development Center Advisory Board.

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With a BS degree in Biology from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Administration degree in Marketing and Science & Technology Management from the University of California, Davis, Kmiec has a strong background in technology-based economic development, non-profit organizational management, and marketing.

Russell Joins Accounting Firm

 Wheeler, Wolfenden & Dwares, P.A welcomed Sarah Russell to its audit and tax practices as a staff accountant. Before joining WW&D, Russell was a consultant with Bridgeforce in Chadds Ford, Pa. Russell earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Marketing from the University of Delaware.

Santora New Staff Additions

 Santora CPA Group, a Newark-based Certified Public Accounting and  consulting firm, announced the following staff additions:

Colin C. Soukup has joined the firm as a Bookkeeper in the Tax Department.  She is a graduate of Goldey-Beacom College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Colin comes to the firm with many years of bookkeeping experience with several local companies.  She will be providing bookkeeping support to the firm’s clients.

Bonnie L. Igo has rejoined the firm as a Supervisor in the Tax Department.  She originally joined the firm in 1983.  Bonnie is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.  She will be providing tax services to the firm’s clients.

Meghann M. Felice has rejoined the firm as a Senior Accountant in the A&A Department.  She originally joined the firm in June 2002.  Meghann is a 2000 graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.  She will be providing a variety of accounting and auditing services to the firm’s clients.

Cruce is new President

The Delaware Arts Alliance announced the appointment of Dan Cruce to President of the DAA Board of Directors.

Cruce is Vice President of Education at the Hope Street Group, a national organization that works to ensure every American will have access to tools and options leading to economic opportunity and prosperity. Previously, Cruce was Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff at the Delaware Department of Education.

Immediately prior, he was Assistant Superintendent/ Chief of Staff at the Christina School District. He is immediate past president of the Delaware Humane Association and current president of the Delaware Arts Consortium Board of Directors. He also sits on the Executive Committee of the Delaware Theatre Company’s Board of Directors. Cruce earned his JD from Widener University School of Law.

Four new board members were elected at the Annual Meeting: Peter A. Harrigan (President of the Board, Coastal Concerts, Inc.); Krys Johnson (Executive Director, Rehoboth Beach Main Street); Lindsay Lederman (Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children); and John Sarro (Adjunct Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Management Studies, Department of Music, University of Delaware).

The Delaware Arts Alliance is the unifying voice for the arts and arts education throughout the state, advocating for the central role of the arts in advancing dynamic communities and a creative citizenry.  DAA firmly believe that a strong creative culture enhances education, the economy, and civic life.  Since its founding in 2009, the Alliance has made presentations to the Joint Finance Committee of the Delaware legislature, hosted speaking events, and organized advocacy programs throughout the state. For more information, please visit www.delawareartsalliance.org.

Wathen new Arts Chair

The Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) announced that Gov. Jack A. Markell has appointed J. Mack Wathen of Hockessin, as Chair to the Delaware State Arts Council.

Wathen is active in the Delaware arts community serving on the Delaware State Arts Council from 2010-2015, and as a board member of the Arts Consortium of Delaware from 2011-2015, which manages the Arts Stabilization Fund supporting capital needs of the State’s eight largest arts organizations.

He also serves on the board as an officer of the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation from 2014–present, an organization based in Baltimore which connects performing artists, arts presenters, and state arts agencies throughout the Mid-Atlantic and the US Virgin Islands. Other roles in the arts community have included volunteer roles with the Delaware College of Art and Design in Wilmington and the Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn.

Wathen has been in the utility industry for 39 years. He has a successful track record in leading groups responsible for strategic planning, finance, communications, public policy, and regulatory affairs. Wathen presently serves as Vice President, Support Services for Pepco Holdings, Inc.

Wathen holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Economics from Georgetown College and an M.M. from the University of New Mexico.

Coates named  COO

Precision AirConvey announced that John Coates has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Coates will work to aggressively position Precision AirConvey for continued expansion and success in high growth markets.

He previously held senior leadership roles in the petrochemical, medical, aerospace, precious metal, and electrical industries. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of several divisions within Handy & Harmon Ltd., a diversified global industrial company for which he played an instrumental role in strategy development and execution. He worked across all divisions to position the companies as industry leaders with emphasis on lean business systems, international business development, and customer satisfaction. Before Handy & Harmon, Coates served as Vice President of Operations at Gerber Scientific and held several operating positions within the General Signal Corporation.

  Manerchia named Executive Director

Middletown Main Street Inc. A non-profit organization working with the community to revitalize the downtown district has announced the selection of Nick Manerchia as its new executive director. The selection was made after a regional search and selection process, during which he served as President for the organization.

He has been a resident of Middletown for over 15 years, and has been involved with and volunteered for several local nonprofit organizations. Before this appointment Manerchia was President for Middletown Main Street Inc, developing and implementing several fundraising events and programs as well as directing several theater  classes with the popular Everett Theatre in Middletown.

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