Stapleford named Caesar Rodney president
Dr. John E. Stapleford has been appointed as President of the Caesar Rodney Institute, chairman and CEO Jim Ursomarso announced.
In addition to his career as an economist on the faculty at the University of Delaware and with Moody’s, Stapleford was one of the founders of CRI, has served on the CRI Board, as the Director of CRI’s Center for Economic Policy Analysis and, most recently, on CRI’s Advisory Council
Stapleford will manage the CRI staff and direct all of CRI’s day to day and general operations.
Ronald Russo will join CRI as a Senior Fellow for Education policy.
He was the principal of St. Mark’s and the first head of the Charter School of Wilmington,
Omar Borla has joined CRI as Director of our Center for Economic Policy & Analysis. Omar worked as an economist in investment banking in New York City for more than two decades. Both Stapleford and Orla have been contributing columnists to the Business Bulletin.
Ursomarso thanked Dr. Stacie Beck, who serves on the faculty of the Economics Department at the University of Delaware. She has also served as Director of the economic center. Stacie will remain involved with CRI, as a member of the Advisory Council.
“Since its inception nearly eight years ago as Delaware’s only non-profit 501(c)(3) think tank, CRI has proposed both innovative and practical solutions to Delaware public policy issues. As CRI continues to grow and to attract outstanding scholars and accomplished leaders, all of us will continue to work with only one goal: to effect changes in Delaware public policy that will benefit our State and its citizens in the policy areas of economics, education, energy and healthcare,” Ursomarso stated.
Becker Morgan additions
Becker Morgan announced the following:
Chris M. Daube joins the firm as a Structural Designer, after previously working as a summer intern. He earned a Master of Science in Structural Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware. His project experience with Becker Morgan Group includes the Walgreens in Ocean Pines, Md., Lewes Public Library; Ocean Pines Medical Center in Ocean Pines, Md; the new Kent County Recreation Center in Dover; as well as various residences.
Cheryl W. Marvel joins the Salisbury office as an Administrative Assistant. She has fifteen years professional experience in the administrative field and is a Wicomico County native.
Co-chairs named
Delaware State Representative Helene Keeley and Wilmington City Councilmember Maria D. Cabrera have been selected as Co-Chairs of the National Foundation for Women Legislators Annual Conference November 19-22, 2014 in Philadelphia.
NFWL is the nation’s oldest organization addressing the needs of elected women at all levels of government. The Annual Conference attracts elected women from across the United States for educational, policy and leadership sessions.
“I am honored that NFWL has invited me to be a Co-Chair for their 2014 Annual Conference” says Keeley, Speaker Pro Tempore. “I look forward to assisting promoting this year’s conference to my colleagues.”
With her current focus on economic development and empowerment opportunities for the people and their communities throughout Delaware, Councilmember Cabrera said she is delighted to serve as Conference Co-Chair for the NFWL. “I am proud to represent the First State and to further the goals of bringing more women into public service and encouraging and supporting those who are already serving the public,” said Cabrera.
Two named to Easter Seals board
Easter Seals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore recently named , Jen Reider, of Wilmington, and Mary Jane Willis, of Smyrna, to its 2014 Board of Directors.
Reider, District Governor for Rotary 7630, joins Easter Seals with a long history as a Rotarian in the Newark Rotary Club and was recognized with Rotarian of the Year from the Newark Rotary Club at the end of her first year of service. Since then she has served in multiple club leadership positions including secretary, vice president, president-elect and director. In 2005-06 she had the distinct honor to serve as president of the Newark Rotary Club leading the group to receiving the Presidential Citation Award. She currently manages the estimating department in The Tri-M Group, LLC – an electrical contracting company. She received her Master of Science Degree in physics from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in math and physics from Albright College. She lives with her wife, Joy, and son, Jacob.
Along with Easter Seals, Willis holds several public service positions including Chair of KidsPeace National Board; Chair of Bayhealth Hospital Board of Advisors; Chair of Hope Medical Clinic; Vice Chair of University of Delaware Board of Trustees; Director of Bayhealth Hospital Board; and member of West Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees.
She has a Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a Master’s degree from West Virginia University. Willis, a former guidance counselor, and her husband, Bill, own Willis Chevrolet Buick & Willis Ford. They received the 2012 Hope Clinic Distinguished Service Award and the Del-Mar-Va District, Boy Scouts of America 2012 Distinguished Citizens Award. Willis and her husband reside in Smyrna and have four married children and six grandchildren.
“It’s a pleasure to serve on the board of such a trusted and longtime provider of services for individuals with disabilities such as Easter Seals,” Willis said. “In addition to offering exceptional quality services for people of all ages, I was pleased to learn that year after year, more than 90 percent of Easter Seals’ revenue goes directly toward programs to help people with disabilities live more independent and dignified lives.”
Laudadio named medical director at marketing firm
Benchworks, a Chestertown, Md. marketing communications firm, announced that Charles Laudadio, MD, MBA, has been named to the position of Medical Director. In this position, he will be primarily responsible for consulting on marketing initiatives for clients in the pharmaceutical space.
Dr. Laudadio is a pharmaceutical physician with more than 30 years of xperience in clinical research and medical affairs with a main area of expertise in biologics, pain management, neuropathy and urology, and has supported large, midsize and small pharmaceutical companies with a broad range of activities.
He has a background in clinical research and medical affairs coupled with clinical expertise which has significantly contributed to approval of multiple drugs in small molecules and biologics. Dr. Laudadio has global experience leading drug development programs and having regulatory interactions with FDA, Health Canada, and the European Medicines Agency.
In the Medical Director role, Dr. Laudadio will provide valuable insight as we develop marketing strategies that drive commercial results and help impart clinical information.
His extensive experience and expertise will be quite beneficial to our clients, and will fortify the Benchworks pharmaceutical marketing team, Benchworks CEO Thad Bench said. “As our work in the pharmaceutical arena expands, Dr. Laudadio will be instrumental in developing highly effective strategic marketing campaigns.”
Benchworks was founded in 1991. The company specializes in the design, production, and launch of complete marketing and branding services.
Clients include a wide variety of companies in the pharmaceutical, beverage, manufacturing, marine, tourism and education industries in North America and Europe.
