UD College of Engineering names department chairs
The University of Delaware’s College of Engineering announced the appointment of three new department chairs.
Eric Furst, professor and chair in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, joined the UD faculty in 2001. His research focuses on the physics and chemistry of colloidal, polymeric, biomolecular, and other soft materials. These findings have applications in complex fluids engineering, biotechnology, and nanomaterials for energy conversion. He is a Fellow of the American Chemical Society and the 2016 recipient of UD’s College of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award. Furst earned a bachelor’s degree with university honors in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from Stanford University.
Furst succeeds former chair Abraham Lenhoff, Allan P. Colburn Professor of Chemical Engineering.
Sue McNeil, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, joined UD’s faculty in 2005. She also teaches in the School of Public Policy and Administration and is a former director of the Disaster Research Center. McNeil’s research centers on transportation asset management, life-cycle costing, application of advanced technologies, economic analysis, condition assessment and deterioration modeling, and decision support. She is a distinguished member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Editor-in-Chief of ASCE’s Journal of Infrastructure Systems. Her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the United States Department of Transportation, Delaware Department of Transportation and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She earned bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering at the University of Newcastle in Australia and a master’s and doctoral degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
McNeil succeeds former chair Harry (Tripp) Shenton III, professor in civil and environmental engineering.
Ajay Prasad has been at UD since 1992. An Engineering Alumni Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, his work with fuel cells and role in developing and directing UD’s Fuel Cell Bus Program has garnered widespread recognition. For eight years, he was the director of the Center for Fuel Cell Research, now known as the Center for Fuel Cells and Batteries. Prasad’s other research interests include lithium-ion batteries, thermoelectric devices, wind and ocean current energy, solar thermal energy, and connected vehicles. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering and a recipient of UD’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Prasad earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, a master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Miami, and a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University.
Prasad succeeds former chair Suresh G. Advani, George W. Laird Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
Becker Morgan Group staffer passes engineering exam
Becker Morgan Group, Inc. reported that Jon S. Falkowski, P.E. passed the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam, earning him licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.E.).
Falkowski obtained an Associate of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology at Delaware Technical Community College, then earned a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Delaware.
Belfint, Lyons & Shuman manager named to 40 Under 40
Karly A. Laughlin, CPA, Manager at Delaware-based certified public accounting firm Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, CPAs has been named a 40 Under 40 Honoree by CPA Practice Advisor.
World Trade Center Delaware names board members
World Trade Center Delaware announced the election of four new members to its Board of Directors: Anabel Panayotti, Delaware State Rep. Bryon Short, Andrew R. Silverman and Charlie Tomlinson.
Anabel Panayotti is the founder and president of Port to Port International Corp. She is currently the president of the Port of Wilmington Maritime Society and a member of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Bureau of Delaware. A native of Honduras, she is a graduate of the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota and received her MBA from Salisbury State University.
Delaware State Representative Bryon Short has served for 10 years in Delaware’s General Assembly and is currently the chair of the Economic Development, Banking, Insurance and Tourism Committee. A one-time member of then-Gov. Thomas R. Carper’s staff and Deputy Principal Assistant of Administration at Delaware’s Department of Transportation, Short has owned his own real estate investment and construction business for the past 18 years. He was a founding member of the ad-hoc Small Business Caucus and served a co-chair for eight years. He is a graduate of Salisbury State University.
Andrew R. Silverman is an attorney at MacElree Harvey, Ltd. Silverman is a Delaware native and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Widener University School of Law.
Charlie Tomlinson has worked inside the Delaware business community for more than 40 years, currently serving as vice president of business development for Today Media. He is active in Committee of 100, several Delaware chambers of commerce, Beacon Executive Group, and CIRC, while serving on the boards of American Heart Association Delaware, the Philly Ad Club, Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Brandywine Chapter, and the Delaware County Press Club, as well as the marketing advisory group of the Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau.
PBF board member elected
Kim Lubel has joined PBF’s Board of Directors. Lubel brings to PBF significant experience as a board member of public entities.
She served as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of CST Brands, Inc. from January 1, 2013 to June 28, 2017. She also served as the Chairman of the Board at CrossAmerica GP LLC, General Partner of CrossAmerica Partners LP from October 2014 to June 2017.
She served as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Valero Energy Corporation from 2006 to 2012 and served as its Vice President of Legal Services from 2003 to 2006.
Delawarean elected American Legion vice commander
A U.S. Air Force veteran and former commander of the Delaware American Legion was elected national vice commander of the two-million member veteran’s organization during its national convention in Reno, NV.
Larry Marcouillier, a member of American Legion Post 7 in Harrington, DE., has held various offices at every level of The American Legion. At the national level he served as a member of the organization’s National Executive Committee and as a member of the National Foreign Relations Council, Liaison to the National Security Commission and National Legislative Council.
Marcouillier was a munitions system technician during his 20-year Air Force career. In 2011, Marcouillier retired from ILC Dover LLP to spend more time working at his post and department helping veterans and their families.
Marcouillier is one of 12 national officers.
Peninsula Home Care announces staff additions
Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke announced the addition of four new staff members to its Seaford team.
Bruce Davis joins the PHCN Seaford office as a Physical Therapy Assistant, bringing with him ten years of experience within the physical therapy field. He will be providing quality physical therapy care within a plan of care established by a licensed PHCN physical therapist. Some of his previous work endeavors include Rehab Dynamix at Harbor Health Rehab in Lewes, DE and Beebe Hospital.
He received his Physical Therapy Assistant Degree at Baltimore City Community College and an Associate degree in Applied Science (AAS) in land surveying at Tyler Jr. College.
Valerie Rothe joins the PHCN Seaford office as a Clinical Manager Process Improvement (CMPI), bringing with her twenty-four years of experience in the healthcare industry. She is responsible for reviewing and auditing cases as well as implementing improvements. Roth worked in numerous nursing homes, physical therapy rehab facilities and the Department of Corrections.
Rothe is a graduate of Delaware Technical College in Georgetown, DE
Teresa Deshields joins the PCHN Seaford office as a CNA, bringing with her thirty years of experience. Her role is to assist the elderly with their daily living needs. Deshields has previously worked as a CNA at Addus Healthcare and Generation Home Healthcare.
She received her CNA license in 1990 and has enjoyed taking care of the elderly for her entire thirty-year career.
Ashlee Hitchens joins the PCHN Seaford Office as an RN Case Manager. She brings with her sixteen years of experience in the medical field; seven years as an RN. Hichens is responsible for patient case management and care. She has an Associate’s Degree in Nursing
Lauren Allaband joins the PCHN Seaford Office as an LPN, bringing with her eight years of experience. Allaband is responsible for providing skilled nursing care to patients in the comfort of their own home.
She has an LPN degree and is currently enrolled in an RN program.
Berkshire Hathaway welcomes Ford
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors welcomed Elaine Ford as a sales associate. Licensed since 2012, Ford is a member of the New Castle County and Kent County Board of Realtors. Ford serves New Castle and Kent Counties.
