Meet the Influential Leaders Supporting Business in Delaware

Rob Herrera is Founder and Managing Partner of The Mill, Delaware’s largest coworking community, which has grown to more than 100,000 square feet. He is also a partner at 9th Street Development Company (9SDC), where he leads active development projects and architectural design, focusing on mixed-use, multifamily, and historic renovation projects that strengthen communities and support entrepreneurship. A former architect with Perkins Eastman and S9 Architects in New York City, Rob brings deep expertise in design, real estate, and business development to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership Board.

Rodger Levenson is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of WSFS Financial Corporation and its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank. An active member of the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware communities, his community service spans memberships on the Board of Directors of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership Board of Directors and Audit Committee as well as the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. He serves as a member of the CEO Council for Growth, Delaware Business Roundtable, CHOP Executive Committee and the Executive Committee of the Satell Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility.

Governor Matt Meyer is a former public school math teacher and small business owner who served as New Castle County Executive from 2017 through January 2025. As the leader of Delaware’s largest local government, Matt proved that government can still work for the people–delivering real results for real people and making real progress for Delaware’s working families. Governor Meyer will bring that same result-driven leadership across our state by creating an effective government that reflects our values and priorities. Growing up in Delaware, Matt attended schools in the Brandywine School District, followed by Wilmington Friends School, and then studied Computer Science & Political Science at Brown University. He then moved to Nairobi, Kenya, where he learned Swahili and created Ecosandals, a recycled footwear company that sold environmentally friendly footwear to customers in 17 countries on five continents. Matt subsequently spent 12 months in Mosul, Iraq, as a diplomat embedded with the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Beth G. Brand is Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations for the University of Delaware. In her role, she is responsible for promoting a culture of philanthropy throughout the University community and beyond and for enhancing connections of alumni to their alma mater. A UD alumna herself, she had joined UD in 2007 as associate vice president in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. She later served as Interim Vice President in 2016-17 and was Vice President and University Secretary from 2020 to 2025.

In 2022, Shane Breakie became the Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s first Environmental Sustainability Officer, a role in which he leads the Company’s environmental sustainability efforts and organic growth initiatives, including the identification and management of emission-reducing projects internally and those that support customers’ sustainability goals. Previously, Shane was appointed Assistant Vice President and then Vice President of Chesapeake Utilities and Sandpiper Energy in 2019, with expanded responsibilities regarding the day-to-day activities of Chesapeake Utilities, Elkton Gas Company, Sandpiper Energy and Florida Public Utilities. In an earlier role as Director of Energy Services for Chesapeake Utilities, Shane was responsible for developing and directing natural gas expansion efforts on the Delmarva Peninsula. He has also held the positions of Director of Consumer Services, Director of Operations, Customer Service Manager and Accounting Manager.

Jeanne Mell is Principal of JMell Communications, advising innovation-focused organizations on strategy, messaging, and impact reporting. She previously held senior leadership roles at OraSure Technologies, the University City Science Center, and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, where she drove economic development, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Jeanne has served on multiple nonprofit and industry boards and has a background in national journalism.

Lisa Schmidt focuses her practice on advising and representing Delaware corporations, their directors and other constituencies in corporate litigation. She has successfully litigated numerous corporate control, corporate governance, appraisal matters and contractual disputes in the Delaware courts. Lisa also advises corporations, their directors and special committees on corporate governance and fiduciary duties. She co-chairs the Federal Securities Institute. She earned her juris doctor degree from Dickinson School of Law, where she served on the Dickinson Law Review, after earning a bachelor of arts degree from Drew University.

Paula Swain joined Incyte in 2002 and serves as Executive Director of the Incyte Charitable Giving Foundation. She previously was Incyte’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources. Before joining the company, she spent nearly 10 years with DuPont, where she was Vice President and Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources. She also has held positions in human resource planning and employee relations with Chase Manhattan Bank, Marine Midland Bank and Delaware Trust Company. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Rockhurst University and graduated from the Strategic Human Resources Planning program at Harvard Business School.

Rob Book has served as President and CEO of Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) since November 2022. Under his leadership, DEC has earned national recognition for outstanding performance and member satisfaction. In 2025, the Cooperative was named the most appealing brand among U.S. residential electric cooperatives by the J.D. Power U.S. Utility Brand Appeal Index Study — a testament to the strong culture of service and innovation cultivated during his tenure. As a champion of the not-for-profit cooperative model, Rob leads a team of 185 employees committed to delivering reliable, affordable energy to more than 120,000 members. Through strategic planning and disciplined financial management, DEC has maintained the lowest residential electric rates in Delaware. Furthermore, his leadership has also contributed to several consecutive years of top-tier system reliability and some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the nation. he brings over 25 years of utility experience to the role. He joined DEC in 2001 as coordinator of information services and steadily advanced through key leadership positions, including manager of government and community relations, assistant vice president of member services, and senior vice president. He played a pivotal role in launching DEC’s Beat the Peak program, a nationally recognized demand response initiative that has saved members over $46 million since 2008. Beyond his executive responsibilities, Rob is an active community leader. He serves on the boards of the Delaware State Fair, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, and the Bayhealth Foundation, among others. A lifelong Delawarean, Rob lives in Lewes with his wife Kara and their two daughters. He holds degrees from the University of Delaware and Wilmington University and is an engaged member of Water’s Edge Wesleyan Church in Milton.

Desa Burton is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and spent 10 years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve. She later earned an M.B.A. from Florida International University and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Economic Law. Prior to coming to Zip Code, she was the Assistant General Counsel of Intellectual Property at InterDigital, Inc., where she served as the senior transactions counsel for research and development, technology innovation and government contracts.

Born in Dover, Representative Bill Bush represents Kent County’s RD 29 and has strong ties to Kent County. A graduate of Caesar Rodney High School, Representative Bush went on to complete his undergraduate work at the University of Delaware and received a law degree from Widener University’s School of Law. He currently operates his own small business and practices as a private attorney. Previously he served as policy advisor of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security actively working with Delaware fire, emergency medical and police services. An active member of the community, Representative Bush served on the Caesar Rodney School Board, Board of Trustees for Delaware Technical Community College, and the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club Board. He has also served on the Modern Maturity Center Board, and the Delaware Emergency Medical Services Oversight Council.

Patrick Callahan is an AI industry advisor and serves on the State of Delaware’s Commission on Artificial Intelligence. He has founded several successful companies in digital marketing and data science, including one acquired by LabWare. He also advises Acellus Health and the Data Innovation Lab and previously led Delaware’s Science and Technology Committee under the Prosperity initiative. He earned his degree from Drexel University and his law degree from Delaware School of Law.

Ed Capodanno has served as President of Associated Builders and Contractors, Delaware Chapter, and the Construction Education Foundation of Delaware since 1993. He brings decades of experience in workforce training, business advocacy, and construction industry development. He has served on numerous boards and task forces including the Delaware Workforce Investment Board and Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Oversight Panel. Ed is a recognized civic leader and recipient of multiple community service awards.

Malcolm Coley is Founder of ReadyPromptOne, host of Delaware’s first AI Summit, and CTO of Futures First Gaming, an ed-tech and esports company creating career pathways in STEM fields. He co-founded LocNation™, a global online community, and co-launched Spending Black Matters, a digital marketplace promoting economic empowerment. A 2023 Leadership Delaware Fellow and Delaware Business Times Top 40 Under 40 honoree, he serves on the Delaware Workforce Development Board and the Advisory Board for Morgan State University’s Center for Data Analytics.

Brian DiSabatino is Chief Executive Officer of EDiS Company, a fifth-generation, family-owned construction and development firm headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. A fourth-generation member of the firm, EDiS has been recognized with significant industry honors leadership, including the ABC Delaware STEP Diamond Award for safety in construction, and several Excellence in Construction Awards for work across the state. Brian has been locally and nationally recognized for his innovation with projects like the Town of Whitehall, a $1 billion development that is creating a “turn of the last century” town, from scratch. He serves as Chairman of the Delaware Business Roundtable, first appointed in 2023 and re-elected in 2025, where he works alongside business and civic leaders across the state to advance Delaware’s investment agenda in education, workforce, infrastructure, and innovation. Brian’s philanthropic endeavors include co-founding 22in22 with his son Jacob, a national campaign to bring awareness and funding to prevent military suicide, and organizing Vet Fest in Whitehall. He serves on the Advisory Board of Stop Soldier Suicide and as U.S. Chairman of the Board for NAUH, a nonprofit founded by North Korean defector Ji Seong Ho. He is engaged in cultural and educational leadership as a Trustee of Neumann University in Pennsylvania, and a Board Member of the Philadelphia Zoo. His prior corporate leadership includes co-founding and chairing Delaware Sterling Bank & Trust Company (later acquired by PNC Bank), serving as former Chairman of the Board of the Grand Opera House in Delaware, and serving as former Chairman of the National Advisory Council for Butler Manufacturing. Brian’s contributions have been recognized through induction into the Garnet Valley High School Hall of Fame, honors as Delaware’s Hometown Hero at Dover International Speedway, the Boy Scouts of America Citizen of the Year Award, the Bank of America Outstanding Community Builders Award, the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award for Healthcare, and Catholic Charities’ Msgr. Thomas J. Reese Award for Outstanding Community Service. Most recently, in 2025, he was named CEO of the Year (Medium For-Profit) by Delaware Business Times in recognition of his leadership at EDiS and the company’s growth trajectory.

Since 2017, Tony Edwards has led Integrated Operations around the globe for the Kalrez®, Vespel®, Electronic Polymers, Silicon/Medical and Molykote® product lines. He has held roles at both DuPont and Kodak, among them global plant management and engineering marketing.

Dr. Dan Freeman is the Founding Director of Horn Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware, which engages nearly 10% of UD students annually and supports commercialization and startup activity across the state. Under his leadership, Horn has become nationally ranked and secured more than $25 million in funding. His research and expertise focus on entrepreneurial leadership and innovation-driven economic development.

John Gavenonis is a senior executive with deep experience in business development and technology leadership. He previously served as vice president and general manager of Agilent Technologies’ $1 billion Chemistries and Supplies Division and held multiple senior roles at DuPont in marketing, R&D and manufacturing. John serves on boards in the life sciences, synthetic biology and education sectors, and holds degrees in chemistry from MIT and U.C. Berkeley.

Ted Lauzen is a Partner at Grey Fox Wealth Advisors. As a co-founder and investment manager, Ted leads strategic planning for the firm and helps clients protect and grow their hard-earned assets. Before Grey Fox, Ted served as an officer and a combat helicopter pilot for the United States Marine Corps. While deployed in 2012 and 2013, he flew more than 230 combat flight hours and provided close air support for American and international ground forces throughout the volatile Helmand Province of Afghanistan. After returning home, he earned the opportunity to compete as a modern pentathlete for Team USA. He placed 14th in the Men’s Relay at the 2015 World Championships in Berlin, competed in several World Cups around the world, and was selected as an Olympic Training Partner for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ted graduated magna cum laude from Duke University in 2007, completed Leadership Delaware as a Fellow in the Class of 2019, and earned his MBA from The Wharton School and his JD from Penn Law in 2020. Outside of work, Ted serves as the Board Treasurer for the Delaware YMCA, advises young entrepreneurs through Horn Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware, and enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife, Sarah, and their four young children.

Steve Montgomery is the operating owner of The Starboard Restaurant Group, which includes several successful restaurants in Delaware and Maryland. He is also a board member of County Bank and an active community leader, co-founding Dewey Goes Pink and supporting numerous local charities. With decades of experience in hospitality, business growth, and community engagement, he brings deep ties to Delaware’s coastal economy.

Emilie R. Ninan is Co-Chair of Ballard Spahr’s national Finance Department, where she advises governments, nonprofits, and businesses on public and commercial finance. She has extensive experience in structuring and negotiating bond and capital financing transactions that support economic development. Emilie holds a JD/MBA from Georgetown University, is a Fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel, and is recognized nationally as a leader in public finance law.

Senator Brian Pettyjohn represents SD 19, which includes parts of Sussex County. Prior to his current seat in the Delaware State Senate, Senator Pettyjohn served as councilman of Georgetown from 2008-10 and Mayor from 2010-12. Senator Pettyjohn was named as co-chair of the Council of State Government – Eastern Regional Conference (CSG-ERC) Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee and was named a 2022-23 Fellow to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Pretrial Policy program. Senator Pettyjohn is also a member of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC), which is charged with making the formal projections for Delaware’s revenue on which the state’s budget is based. Continuing in his commitment to his community, Senator Brian Pettyjohn serves on several organizations including the Sussex County STEM Alliance, Sussex Sports Center Foundation, the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and The Chad Spicer Foundation. He is an information technology consultant.

Whitney is a Senior Client Portfolio Manager at Nomura Asset Management. In this role, she represents the team’s investment capabilities and market views externally, drives strategic business initiatives and has a thorough understanding of investment strategies across fixed income. Whitney spent 18 years at Schroders working in a variety of roles across Credit, Sustainability and Distribution. Most recently, she was an Investment Director in Sustainability where she was responsible for client engagement, sustainability solutions and driving sustainability initiatives in the Americas. Prior to joining Schroders she served in a number of roles across MBNA America and the State of Delaware. She began her career as a Senior Economic Analyst at The WEFA Group responsible for forecasting state and local economies. Active in her home state of Delaware, Whitney currently serves as a Trustee for the Delaware Historical Society. She previously served as a Trustee for the University of Delaware, as a board member for the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute and as the President of the Delaware State Board of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in economics and a Master of Science in economics from the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. She has completed the Certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA Institute and is FINRA Series 7 and 66 licensed.

Dr. Suzanne Sysko Clough is co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of AmalgamRx, a digital health company creating innovative solutions in partnership with life sciences and health systems. A physician and entrepreneur, she co-founded WellDoc, developer of the first FDA-cleared digital therapeutic, and Public Allies Delaware, a leading nonprofit for leadership and workforce development. Her expertise in healthcare innovation and public-private partnerships strengthens Delaware’s innovation economy.

Dr. Kris Vaddi is founder and CEO of Prelude Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing new cancer treatments. He previously served as CEO of Orsenix and held senior scientific leadership roles at Incyte, where he led programs resulting in the FDA approval of Jakafi® and Olumiant®. Dr. Vaddi holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Florida.

Senator Jack Walsh represents SD 9, which includes Christiana and portions of Newark, Pike Creek, Stanton and Newport. A lifelong Delawarean and graduate of St. Mark’s High School, Walsh is an electrician by trade and has been a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 313, for nearly 39 years. From 1993 to 2002, he served on Local 313’s board of directors, its executive board and its political action committee. He also led the union’s Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee from 1996 to 2001. Today, Senator Walsh works as the Executive Director of the Delaware State AFL-CIO.

Dr. Cherese Winstead has generated over $8.8 million in funding on projects for which she serves as Principal, co-investigator, or key personnel. Her educational scholarship and research funding partnerships include NIH, NSF, and NASA. Dr. Winstead has worked with numerous local, regional, and national agencies and community-based organizations, revealing an important inter-agency and interdisciplinary approach toward science and educational research. In the area of community service, Cherese is Founder and President of the Young Chemists Society (YCS), a non-profit organization dedicated to the early education of students in the area of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Robert Wittig is Partner at DSM Commercial, bringing more than 35 years of experience in real estate brokerage and development. He has overseen the acquisition and development of more than 1.7 million square feet of commercial property for national and regional retailers. A lifelong Wilmington resident, he has served on nonprofit boards and actively supports community organizations while continuing his family’s legacy in real estate development.

Representative Lyndon Yearick represents RD 34, which includes Camden, Wyoming, Magnolia, and South Dover. He is also House Minority Whip. He has over 20 years of business experience in industries ranging from housing and banking to healthcare and education. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Penn State University and is a former small business owner. He has also worked as a public school educator, mentoring local elementary school students and serving on advisory committees for both the Caesar Rodney and Polytech school districts. Raised on a dairy farm in upstate Pennsylvania, Representative Yearick is one of the few Delaware legislators who have first-hand agricultural experience, giving him unique insights into the challenges faced by the farming community. He successfully authored legislation creating Delaware Produce Week. The annual observation has worked to link Delaware farmers with local consumers.