Governor Carney to Nominate Claire DeMatteis as DOC Commissioner

DeMatteis has helped lead reform efforts at Department of Correction

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced his intention to nominate Claire DeMatteis – a former senior counsel to then-U.S. Senator Joe Biden – as the next Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction.

The nomination will require approval by the Delaware Senate. DeMatteis would replace Commissioner Perry Phelps, who will retire on July 15. DeMatteis would be the first female Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction.

“For much of the last two years, Claire has worked side-by-side with Commissioner Phelps to lead reform efforts at the Department of Correction – to make our facilities safer, to invest in new equipment and training, and to recruit correctional officers to do one of the toughest jobs in state government,” said Governor Carney. “Over three decades of experience in government and the private sector, Claire has worked closely with community leaders, legislators and law enforcement officials and has earned their respect and trust. I have full confidence that Claire’s experience and leadership qualities will serve our state well at the Department of Correction. I look forward to the Senate considering her nomination.”

In June 2017, Governor Carney appointed DeMatteis to serve as his Special Assistant at the Department of Correction. In that role, DeMatteis worked alongside Commissioner Phelps, and led implementation of Governor Carney’s plan following the Independent Review into the events of February 1, 2017 at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.

Governor Carney’s plan included a 22 percent increase in starting pay for correctional officers; significant investments in new technology, equipment and training; the creation of a Labor-Management Committee to more effectively recruit officers and decrease mandatory overtime; and renewed efforts to help inmates successfully re-enter their communities.

Currently, DeMatteis is serving as Special Assistant coordinating comprehensive re-entry initiatives across six state agencies, including the Departments of Correction, Education, Labor, and Health and Social Services.

“If confirmed by the State Senate, I look forward to working with the women and men of the Delaware Department of Correction to continue to strengthen safety and security, officer recruitment and retention, and programming and services for inmates, as well as implement a coordinated path of services from an offender’s entry into prison through release back into our communities,” said DeMatteis. “It would be an honor to lead the state’s largest law enforcement agency of dedicated correctional officers and probation and parole officers.”

The Delaware Senate is expected to consider Governor Carney’s nomination of DeMatteis this month.

From 2008-2016, DeMatteis served as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer of two multi-billion dollar corporations. Previously, DeMatteis spent four years at Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, a Mid-Atlantic law firm with offices in Wilmington. She was partner in charge of the firm’s Delaware office from 2007-2008.

During her decade working as senior counsel for then-Senator Biden, from 1994-2004, DeMatteis served as a member of a senior team on issues involving law enforcement, women’s rights, civil rights and constitutional matters. She helped guide campaign strategy, managed constituent communications and drafted legislation.

Most recently, DeMatteis served in a senior role at the Delaware Department of Labor, where she helped navigate a resolution to the recent data breach at the department, keeping the media, public and legislators well informed on the state’s response and structural reforms to prevent future breaches. DeMatteis began her career working in the Delaware State Senate from 1984-1987 as a Page and Calendar Clerk. She has served state elected officials from both parties, including as legal assistant to then-Governor Mike Castle.

DeMatteis earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware, and holds a law degree from Widener University Delaware Law School.

###

Governor Carney Announces Appointments of Student, Teacher to State Board of Education

Appointments will bring new perspective, ideas to board

WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor John Carney has appointed a former State Teacher of the Year and a rising high school senior to serve on the State Board of Education.

Lea Wainwright, Delaware’s 2014 State Teacher of the Year, and Dorcas Olatunji, a Charter School of Wilmington student, will serve on the board until July 1, 2020.

“Educators and Delaware students should always have a seat at the table when we make big decisions that affect schools in our state,” said Governor John Carney. “That’s why I am pleased to announce these two appointments to the State Board of Education. Lea and Dorcas will bring valuable experience and perspective to the board, and I want to thank both for their willingness to serve.”

The new non-voting seats were approved by the General Assembly last year with the passage of House Bill 455. Beginning this year, the Governor will annually appoint to the board an 11th or 12th grade student and a former State Teacher of the Year who also is a current educator.

Wainwright is a French teacher at Appoquinimink School District’s Everett Meredith Middle School. She earned her undergraduate degree in French from the University of Delaware. She earned a Masters of Education in educational technology and a Doctor of Education in leadership and innovation from Wilmington University.

Olatunji ha extensive volunteering and extracurricular experience, including involvement in the YMCA National Advocacy Program and Youth in Government (YIG), in which she served as a YIG Youth Leadership Committee member. Among other work, she helped develop a carpool app to help youth find rides to volunteering and activities. She also spearheaded the “Prejudgment Project” to “find ways to turn inevitable negative first impressions into positive ways that would bring people together.”

Olatunji was selected from a competitive and diverse pool of applicants representing all three counties in the state as well as traditional, vocational technical and charter schools.

“We are excited to welcome Dorcas Olatunji and Lea Wainwright to the State Board of Education. Both members will provide a valuable perspective on policies and programs impacting students and educators and we look forward to their contributions,” said Whitney Sweeney, President of the State Board of Education.

The board’s regular monthly meetings are open to the public, typically scheduled for the third Thursday evening of the month. The Board rotates its meetings to be held in all three counties.

###

Photo of Lea Wainwright is available here.
Photo of Dorcas Olatunji is available here.

Governor Carney Announces Two Nominations to Court of Chancery

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced that he intends to nominate the following two individuals for judicial appointment to the Court of Chancery. The Delaware Senate plans to consider the nominations during a special session on October 3.

Hon. Morgan Zurn, Court of Chancery: Morgan Zurn is currently serving as a Master on the Court of Chancery, where she presides over trials and motions involving all subjects within the Court’s jurisdiction. Prior to joining the Court of Chancery, Master Zurn worked as a Deputy Attorney General in the Delaware Department of Justice, in the Consumer Protection Unit and, later, arguing appeals before the Delaware Supreme Court. Master Zurn was also a patent litigator in private practice, and she served as a law clerk for The Honorable Richard G. Andrews on the District Court for the District of Delaware. She holds a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, and a Master’s degree in Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania, and she holds a B.A., with distinction, from the University of Virginia.

“I saw immediately Master Zurn’s breadth of knowledge, devotion to public service and passion for her work,” said Governor Carney. “She has earned an outstanding reputation as an advocate and judicial officer, exhibiting intelligence, diligence, efficiency and integrity. Master Zurn has met the high standards of our Court of Chancery and I am pleased that she will be able to expand her contribution to the court and State.”

Kathaleen McCormick, Court of Chancery: Kathaleen “Katie” McCormick is a Partner in the Corporate Counseling and Litigation Section of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, where her focus is corporate, commercial and alternative entity litigation in the Court of Chancery. McCormick has extensive experience advising and litigating on behalf of clients in a variety of substantive areas, including corporation and alternative entity law, mergers and acquisitions, derivative claims, control disputes, compensation disputes, indemnification and advancement, and data privacy. McCormick has also handled significant public interest litigation for and against the State of Delaware. Before joining Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, McCormick was in private practice at a Delaware firm, and she handled public interest matters statewide through the Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. McCormick holds a J.D. from Notre Dame Law School and an A.B. in Philosophy, cum laude, from Harvard University.

“Katie McCormick is an experienced Chancery lawyer, with knowledge both deep and broad that will make her an immediate asset to the court,” said Governor Carney. “Katie impressed me with her sharp mind, strong work ethic and commitment to public service. She will be an outstanding jurist and representative for the court and State.”

###

Governor Carney Nominates Four Members to State Courts

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced that he intends to nominate the following four individuals for judicial appointments. The Delaware Senate plans to consider the nominations during a special session on October 3:

Hon. Richard Stokes, Superior Court, Sussex County: Judge Richard Stokes has been serving on the Superior Court of the State of Delaware since 1999. He has been nominated for appointment to the position of Resident Judge.

Hon. Mark Buckworth, Family Court, New Castle County: Judge Mark Buckworth has been serving on the Family Court of the State of Delaware since 1994. He has been nominated for reappointment to his position.

Hon. Bradley Manning, Court of Common Pleas, New Castle County: Bradley Manning is currently a Commissioner on the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, where he presides over a wide variety of civil and criminal matters and over several specialty treatment courts. Before joining the Superior Court, Commissioner Manning worked as an Assistant Public Defender for the State of Delaware and served in the United States Army, during which he was deployed in two separate missions, and attained the rank of Captain.

Craig Karsnitz, Superior Court, Sussex County: Craig Karsnitz is a Partner in the Litigation and Trial Practice Section of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, where he has for forty years litigated in all of Delaware’s courts, principally in the Superior Court. Prior to his time at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, Karsnitz was a law clerk for The Honorable John J. McNeilly on the Delaware Supreme Court.

“All of these nominees are distinguished members of the Delaware legal community, and have the knowledge, experience and judgment necessary to serve Delaware well as members of our world-class judiciary,” said Governor Carney. “I look forward to the Delaware Senate considering their nominations.”

###

Governor Carney Announces Appointments to Board of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Public-private partnership will lead economic development, business marketing and recruitment for Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced appointments to the board of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership – the public-private partnership that will lead Delaware’s economic development efforts, and business marketing and recruitment for the state. Board members represent a cross-section of Delaware’s economy – with representatives from Delaware’s financial industry, leading corporations, the nonprofit sector, higher education, and the legal community.

Governor Carney will co-chair the partnership’s board alongside Rod Ward, President of CSC.

“Collectively, this group of leaders from across our state will ensure that Delaware is positioned to create good-paying jobs, to attract talent, and to lead in a 21st century economy,” said Governor Carney. “As co-chair, I will remain closely involved in the direction of the partnership, and Delaware’s economic development efforts. And we will focus on promoting innovation, attracting technology-focused jobs to Delaware, connecting entrepreneurs with available resources, and building a talented workforce. Thank you to Rod Ward for agreeing to co-chair this group, and to all of those who have agreed to serve.”

“We are extremely pleased with the Governors foresight and leadership in establishing a public-private partnership to expand economic development here in Delaware,” said Ward. “Increasing business community involvement and support was one of the major recommendations of the Delaware Business Roundtable’s Delaware Growth Agenda. The board appointed by the Governor for the Delaware Prosperity Partnership is ready to roll up their sleeves and work to attract new business and entrepreneurs into our state.”

Governor Carney, who took office in January, has made it a top priority to restructure Delaware’s economic development efforts, and strategically partnering with the private sector on economic growth was a key recommendation of the Governor’s Action Plan for Delaware. Last month, Governor Carney signed House Bill 226, creating the Delaware Prosperity Partnership and a new division within the Department of State to support small business growth.

The Delaware Prosperity Partnership – which will be run day-to-day by a chief executive officer and a full-time staff – will lead business marketing efforts for the state, with a focus on attracting early-stage and technology-focused businesses, recruitment of large employers, and expansion of international business opportunities for Delaware companies. Its leaders also will work with employers and Delaware educators to fill key talent gaps in the state. The state will jointly fund the partnership’s operations with private business.

Partnership board members include:

Governor John Carney (co-chair)

Rod Ward, President, CSC (co-chair)
Desmond Baker, Founder, Desmond A. Baker & Associates
Alan Brangman, Executive Vice President, University of Delaware
Patrick Callahan, Founder, CompassRed
Eric Cheek, Associate Vice President, Delaware State University
Doneene Damon, Executive Vice President, Richards, Layton, & Finger
Jeanmarie Desmond, Co-Controller, DowDuPont
Robert Herrera, Co-Founder, The Mill
Nick Lambrow, President of Delaware Region, M&T Bank
Senator Greg Lavelle, Delaware State Senate
Greg Moore, Vice President, Becker Morgan Group
Lori Palmer, Ventures Executive Leader, Trellist Marketing Technology
Rob Rider, CEO, O.A. Newton
Representative Bryon Short, Delaware House of Representatives
Richelle Vible, Executive Director, Catholic Charities
Senator Jack Walsh, Delaware State Senate
Representative Lyndon Yearick, Delaware House of Representatives

###