Superior Court Judge nominated
Governor John Carney nominated Sheldon K. Rennie to serve as a Superior Court Judge in New Castle County.
Rennie’s nomination must be confirmed by the Delaware Senate.
Since 2013, Rennie has served as a Judge on the Court of Common Pleas for New Castle County, where he presides over misdemeanor criminal cases, hears civil cases on appeal, and assists in the direction of the DUI Treatment Court. Previously, he was a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP and was an Adjunct Professor at the Villanova University School of Law.
Rennie holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Long Island University and earned his law degree from Villanova.
Personnel moves at Chemours Company
The Chemours Company announced that Chris Siemer, president of Chemical Solutions and the company’s chief transformation officer, has announced his intention to leave the company following a brief transition period. Effective April 1, Edwin Sparks, currently Director of Corporate Strategy for Chemours, will be promoted to the role of president, Chemical Solutions. In addition, Ed will provide leadership and support to Chemours’ Transformation Office as the company continues its efforts to renew and improve.
Sussex director named at Delaware Small Business Development Center
The Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announced that Tom Thunstrom of Lewes has joined the Sussex County SBDC team as a business advisor.
Thunstrom brings nearly 20 years of management experience between the financial services and nonprofit sectors, most recently with WSFS Bank. His experience has taken him from the frozen tundra of Minnesota to 15 years in suburban Philadelphia before relocating permanently to Lewes in 2017. His civic engagement includes leadership tenure with a Chamber of Commerce in suburban Philadelphia; with a financial literacy nonprofit in Pennsylvania; and also with a nonprofit collaborative organization near Philadelphia.
Engineer of the Year named
Sussex County’s top engineer has turned more than 30 years of education and professional experience into a blueprint for success, and now he’s bringing home top honors from his peers across the state of Delaware.
The Delaware Engineering Society recently announced that County Engineer Hans M. Medlarz is the 2018 Engineer of the Year, an honor handed out annually by the professional organization of public and private engineers.
A native of Germany who emigrated to the United States in his early 20s where he earned a graduate degree from Georgia Tech, Medlarz, has been employed with Sussex County government since December 2015, serving as County Engineer since his appointment. This is his first time receiving the Society’s top honor.
As County Engineer, Medlarz oversees a 155-member staff that is responsible for designing, constructing and maintaining various multimillion-dollar public projects, including wastewater systems, County buildings, and the County airport near Georgetown. Engineering is the single-largest department within county government, employing engineers, project managers, draftsmen, construction technicians, wastewater operators, electricians, and maintenance crews, among others.
Morris to head Delaware American Heart and Stroke Assn.
Delaware American Heart and Stroke Association welcomed David Morris as the state’s new Executive Director. In this role, Morris will lead all fundraising efforts for the entire state and will oversee Heart Ball, Heart Walk and Go Red for Women initiatives, as well as community and volunteer outreach.
Morris began his professional career with MBNA America in 2001. Following his time at MBNA, he went on to work at the University of Delaware in their Office of Development and Alumni Relations in 2006, where he held various positions in which he raised more than $20 million.
Most recently, Morris held the position of Assistant Vice President for Development at Delaware Technical Community College from 2015 to present, during which time he helped the College increase its annual fundraising from $2 million to nearly $5 million.
Morris earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Millersville University and holds an M.B.A. from the Lerner College of Business at the University of Delaware.
Siegfried associate named
Brieann Capecci joined the Wilmington office of the Siegfried Group as a Senior Associate on the Siegfried Advisory team.
Capecci earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Holy Family University and her master’s degree in management from La Salle University.
Domenico Grasso named chancellor at University of Michigan-Dearborn
Domenico Grasso, who served as the University of Delaware provost from 2013-17, has been selected as the next chancellor of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. His appointment at the University of Michigan-Dearborn was unanimously approved by the Board of Regents during a public meeting on Feb. 15 and is effective Aug. 1.
