Wagner promoted chief investment officer
Officials of The Buccini/Pollin Group announced the promotion of Karl J. Wagner to co-chief investment officer as the company continues its aggressive commercial and multi-family growth plans into 2014. Karl now shares the title with the recently promoted Darren Anzelone, who handles the activity for BPG’s hotel development team.
“During Karl’s fifteen years with BPG, he has facilitated acquisitions and financing for over 5 million square feet of commercial office space, and over 1,500 residential units,” says Christopher Buccini, co-president of BPG, “and this includes securing financing during some of the worst economic years of our time. Karl’s persistence throughout this period, focusing on aggressive asset refinancing, played a major role in BPG’s emergence from the recession in a strong position to take on new acquisitions and development projects. This promotion acknowledges the commitment and expertise that Karl has clearly exhibited and also the anticipation for the continued strategic growth of BPG’s portfolio over the next few years.”
Within BPG’s host of platforms, the hotel and multi-family sector have been the most active, with projects signaling a secure pipeline of activity throughout 2015 and beyond. But as the commercial market shows signs of stability and opportunities for growth, Karl Wagner is now tasked with aggressively pursuing both multi-family and commercial office development and acquisitions out of their Wilmington, headquarters, particularly focusing on the Philadelphia market.
“BPG has a strong and diverse platform, based on true owner/operator experience, which will allow us to acquire and develop a wide variety property types,” says Wagner. “We will be very active in the Mid-Atlantic region for the foreseeable future, while seeking growth and opportunities beyond our region as well.”
In addition to opening the Westin Wilmington hotel in April and preparing for two new hotel openings in Newark, Del. and New York City, BPG’s recent multi-family and commercial activity includes: The 4Q 2013 commencement of construction of a 116-unit luxury apartment building on Wilmington’ s waterfront called Harlan Flats (HarlanFlats.com); the February 2014 acquisition of the 306,000 square foot Bellevue Park Corporate Center for $61.5 million; and the May 2014 construction start of 74 new residential units on Wilmington’s historic Market Street.
DSU administrator Atkins takes Keene State Post
Keene State College, New Hampshire, announced Kemal Atkins will serve as its new vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.
Atkins brings 19 years of experience and leadership to his post at Keene State College. For the past four years, Atkins served as vice president for student affairs and Title IX coordinator at Delaware State University.
Atkins will begin to serve as Keene State College Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management on June 30, 2014.
In 2008 and 2009, Atkins served as vice provost for student affairs at East Carolina University, Greenville.
Atkins led initiatives in college access, academic and student affairs with The University of North Carolina General Administration from 2001 to 2008.
Atkins earned a BA and MA in English Literature at Appalachian State University, and will complete an EdD in Educational Leadership this summer.
Epps to head quality efforts
Bayhealth announced the appointment of Jamie Epps to the position of director of quality and continuous improvement. Epps brings over 10 years of experience in performance improvement.
In this position, Epps will identify areas at Bayhealth that need improvement, decide which processes can be changed to improve outcomes, build a plan to make changes, and then track the results to measure and learn from the outcomes. Another component is sharing quality results with national organizations, like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and with the local community.
“We are very pleased to have Jamie here at Bayhealth,” said Eric Gloss, Bayhealth vice president of medical affairs and medical staff services. “She has a thorough knowledge of continuous improvement techniques, and she has been able to initiate important changes at the facilities where she has worked.”
Epps comes to Bayhealth from Parkland Health and Hospital System, in Dallas, where she served as interim vice president of the “Quality Through Transformation” initiative.
Before joining Parkland, Epps served at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, in Laurel, Md.; Tanner Health System, in Carrollton, Ga.; and several other health systems throughout the United States.
“I came to Bayhealth because of the people,” Epps said. “Everyone here is on the same page when it comes to improving quality. We all believe that small communities deserve the same excellent health care that is found in large cities.”
Epps began her career in the quality improvement field at Wellmont-Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn. She grew up in a military family and wanted to give back to that community, which prompted her career in health care quality.
Epps earned her bachelor of science degree at South Carolina State University, and her master of public health degree at East Tennessee State University. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality.
Epps’ training includes Lean Six Sigma and various health care-related topics.
Tilghman promoted at Sperry Van Ness
Rick Tilghman, senior advisor with Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate, in Salisbury is expanding his focus from brokerage and leasing to property management. He has accepted the position of Director of Business Development and Property Manager, and will continue to serve general brokerage clients. Rick has been with SVN-Miller since 2007 and as a Senior Advisor has specialized in the sale and leasing of retail, medical and office properties in Maryland and Delaware.
Within his first two years in the commercial real estate business he earned the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. In his role as Senior Advisor, Rick has worked directly with the Property Management division for years through assisting tenants and property owners in lease transactions. In his new role as Director of Business Development, Tilghman will work to expand the focus market beyond the Delmarva Peninsula.
Small nominated as DNREC secretary
Governor Jack Markell announced he will nominate Deputy Secretary David Small to be Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). He will succeed Collin O’Mara, who will become President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation in July. The nomination is subject to confirmation by the Delaware State Senate.
“David’s depth of knowledge and leadership on environmental issues has helped improve the quality of life for residents and visitors of our state for nearly three decades,” said Markell. “His work at DNREC to make our state safer, cleaner and healthier has earned the respect of many, both in and out of State government, and his wealth of experience makes him an ideal fit to build on our efforts to address Delaware’s energy and environmental challenges.”
Small has spent the last 13 years as Deputy Secretary. He has served six cabinet secretaries during his DNREC career, which spans 27 years. Small also worked as Executive Assistant to the Secretary from 1998 until 2001, having joined the department in 1987 as Chief of the Office of Information and Education.
“I am incredibly honored to be nominated by Governor Markell to serve as Secretary,” said Small. “If confirmed, I look forward to working with our many partners and the DNREC team to build on the successful foundation of this administration by making Delaware more resilient to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise, protecting our air, land and water quality, providing diverse and quality recreational opportunities for our citizens and visitors and preserving our open spaces and biodiversity.”
Small is a former State of Delaware Employee of the Year. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Wilmington’s Riverfront Development Corporation and has represented Delaware on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Small,, 57, is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College and resides with his family in Dover.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control employs 900 full-time professionals in 74 locations around the state and is comprised of seven Divisions: Air Quality, Energy and Climate, Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, Waste and Hazardous Substances, Water and Watershed Stewardship. It is responsible for protecting and managing the state’s natural resources, protecting public health and safety and providing quality outdoor recreation.
