Sager to chair Community Foundation
The Delaware Community Foundation board of directors has elected Thomas L. Sager, former general counsel for the DuPont Company, as the new chair.
At DuPont, Sager spearheaded the effort to apply greater business discipline to the practice of law. He has extensive experience in complex litigation, civil and criminal investigations, environmental matters and cross border mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. He has advocated for diversity in the legal profession and helped create the DuPont Convergence and Law Firm Partnering Program. The Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s Thomas L. Sager Award is awarded annually to law firms that show a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Sager succeeds Marilyn Rushworth Hayward, who will continue to serve on the board’s executive committee as immediate past president.
Other officers elected to the executive committee are Kelly E. Firment (vice chair), small business credit card product and strategy executive at Bank of America; David W. Singleton (treasurer), retired public sector executive; William C. Dugdale (secretary), partner at Brown Advisory; Lynn A. Kokjohn (Sussex County Advisory Committee chair), retired DuPont manager; John W. Paradee (Kent County Advisory Committee chair), partner at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt LLC; John C. Hawkins (at large), CEO of ab+c Creative Intelligence; and Thomas J. Shopa (at large), partner at BDO USA LLP.
Re-elected board members are Doneene K. Damon; Jennings Hastings; Nancy Karibjanian; Robert N. MacGovern; James Mazarakis; Donald W. Nicholson, Jr.; and Gary Stockbridge.
New to the board of directors this year is Kay Keenan, chair of the Fund for Women and president of Growth Consulting,
Santora CPA Group
Santora CPA Group announced that:
Sarah M. Grantham has joined the firm as a Staff Accountant. She is a 2010 graduate of Western University in Ontario and a 2016 graduate of Goldey-Beacom College.
Elliot R. Zicarelli, CPA and Mark R. Kennedy have been promoted to Senior Accountants. Elliot joined the firm in June 2014. He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Elliot interned with the firm during the summer of 2013 and recently received his licensure with the State of Delaware. Kennedy joined the firm in October 2014. He is a 2011 graduate of Widener University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Both are members of the American Institute and Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants.
DSU trustee named
John Ridgeway, a Toyota executive and DSU alumnus, has recently become the newest member of the university’s Board of Trustees.
A new board-appointed trustee, Ridgeway succeeds former board member Robert E. Buccini, who resigned from the board in April. Because Mr. Buccini’s term was to expire on Aug. 31, the Board voted unanimously that Mr. Ridgeway would complete Buccini’s term and also served a subsequent six-year term.
Ridgeway is currently the corporate manager of Toyota’s Eastern Territory Service Center, which is based in Owings Mills, Md. Prior to arriving at Toyota in 2006, he spent two years as a senior vice president of Customer Service and Support for Bank of America. He also previously held director posts for Sears, Roebuck and Co. All told, the DSU alumnus brings 24 years of corporate experience to the DSU board.
New Castle County Police promotions
New Castle County Police Chief E. M. Setting announced the promotion of Major Vaughn Bond to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Chief of Police, and Captain Patrick Crowell to the rank of Major, Operations Branch Commander.
Bond, a 25-year veteran of the police department has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his career Major Bond has been assigned to Patrol and the Criminal Investigations Unit. He has served as Commander to the Criminal Investigations Unit, Special Operations Section, Patrol Section, and most recently served as the Operations Branch Commander.
Crowell, a 28-year veteran of the police department has been promoted to the rank of Major. During his career, Crowell has been assigned to Patrol, the Mounted Patrol Unit, Public Information Officer, Criminal Investigations Unit, and the Community Services Unit. He has served as the Executive Officer for two chiefs, Administrative Support Commander and the Community Services Unit Commander. Most recently, he served as the Technology and Special Projects Section Commander.
Jones marks 15 years with Diamond State Financial
Shaun M. Jones, Associate Partner, is celebrating his 15th Anniversary with Diamond State Financial Group.
He earned his Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of Delaware, is a distinguished member of the Million Dollar Round Table, and he has done extensive research on tax strategies and the history of taxation in the U.S. Jones is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative – Securian Financial Services, Inc.
Williams gains license
SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate announced that Land Advisor Doug Williams has earned his Delaware Real Estate License. Williams now holds his Delaware license in addition to his Maryland Real Estate License.
Williams has more than 26 years of experience in land surveying and over 18 years of experience with GPS/GIS surveying. He is registered as a land surveyor in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. He joined the SVN Land Group in early 2016.
Long & Foster Real Estate
Long & Foster Real Estate welcomed Gene Cousens as a sales associate in its office in Bethany Beach.
Previously he was a real estate agents for Long & Foster in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Among his many achievements, he has a professional certification as a Resort and Second Home Property Specialist. This certification means that he has the specialized skills, knowledge and insight to help both buyers and sellers make informed decisions about second home properties for vacation, investment and retirement.
