WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced that Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker will leave her current role as the head of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) this summer to join Nemours’ National Office of Policy and Prevention in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Walker, who has served as Secretary of the largest agency in Delaware’s state government since February 2017, is

leaving her position to fulfill a desire to pursue health care policy work at the national level. She will serve in Nemours’ Washington office as Senior Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer. In addition to leading the Department of Health and Social Services’ ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Secretary Walker has led work at DHSS to:

• Develop first-in-the-nation health care spending and quality benchmarks in Delaware while slowing the growth rate of health care spending;
• Establish a reinsurance program in Delaware that reduced premiums by up to 19% on the individual insurance market in its first year and increased the number of people with coverage;
• Fund a reduction in a long-standing wait list for services among seniors and adults with physical disabilities;
• Create new Medicaid managed care contracts that embed paying for value in health care instead of volume and include quality metrics;
• Hire former Wilmington Police Chief Bobby Cummings to head the Group Violence Intervention program;
• Establish the Delaware Integrated Data System to support individuals and families in Wilmington impacted by violence;
• Expand the Community Partner Support Unit to address social service needs for individuals and families in the communities in which the unit serves;
• Reduce the barriers to individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorder, including launching an online treatment referral system;
• Launch the My Healthy Community web portal, encouraging communities to assess the overall health of their residents for chronic diseases, mental illness and substance use, maternal and child health, and now COVID-19;
• Train more than 1,000 front-line employees in a trauma-informed approach;
• Raise the age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 and make healthy beverages the default drink in kids’ meals; and
• Expand Medicaid dental coverage to adults, including individuals with disabilities.

“Since the day I took office as Governor, Dr. Walker has been a central part of the most qualified and diverse cabinet in Delaware’s history,” said Governor Carney. “Over the last several years, she has managed our health and social services programs with grace, poise, and with a steadfast focus on helping the Delawareans who are most in need. Kara’s compassionate leadership has been so incredibly important this year, as Delaware has grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership during this difficult time has saved lives, and helped Delaware respond successfully to this disease. Now we all need to do our part. Stay socially distant. Wear a face covering. Kara’s voice and leadership will be sorely missed in Delaware, but I’m confident she will continue to do great things at Nemours.”

“It was an incredible honor to be chosen by Governor Carney to lead the team at DHSS and to be entrusted with meeting the needs of the people of Delaware,” said Dr. Walker. “It has been one of the highlights of my life to come back to my home state and lead the dedicated team of women and men here at DHSS. During the pandemic, I witnessed our team come together as never before and figure out new ways of meeting the health and social service needs of the people we are sworn to serve. I am grateful to the Governor’s office, our fellow state agencies, the legislators, community partners and residents of Delaware for the faith they had in me and our entire Department. While I know that we advanced many health and social service policies during my tenure, I will always wish that I had more time, because there is more work to address health equity, health care costs and access to care up and down our state, but particularly for vulnerable populations.”

Governor Carney will nominate Molly Magarik, who currently serves as Deputy Secretary of DHSS, to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services.

The agency, with 11 divisions and more than 4,000 employees, is responsible for meeting the health and social service needs of Delawareans by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency and protecting vulnerable populations.

The Delaware Senate is expected to consider Deputy Secretary Magarik’s nomination later this month.

“Molly is a proven leader, a problem solver, and a committed public servant who has been second-in-command at DHSS for the last three and a half years,” said Governor Carney. “Throughout her career, and especially as Deputy Secretary, Molly built important relationships and trust with members of the General Assembly, our health care systems, agency staff, and Delawareans throughout the state. As we continue to fight COVID-19, I’m confident Molly will be able to lead this department without missing a beat, while continuing our work to make Delaware a stronger and healthier state. I look forward to the Senate considering her nomination.”

“I am truly humbled and incredibly honored to be nominated by Governor Carney as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services,” said Deputy Secretary Magarik. “I am grateful to the Governor for the trust and faith he has in me to lead this agency, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to serve in his Cabinet. I thank Secretary Walker for her leadership and guidance, and for the inspiring way she had led our Department for more than three years with an innovative spirit, a caring heart and an incredible commitment to improving the quality of life for Delawareans.”

Magarik has served as Deputy Secretary since February 2017, directing and managing key priorities for DHSS, including health care financing, payment and delivery system reform; budget administration and management; and early childhood education. She also served as the Department’s chief strategy officer, and developed and maintained critical partnerships with Delaware cabinet agency leaders, the legislature, the federal delegation, advocates, and health care system leadership throughout the state.

Before joining DHSS, Magarik served as State Director for then Congressman John Carney and Political Director for Beau Biden’s campaign for Attorney General. She also worked as a strategic advisor across nonprofits and government, including as Executive Director of the Delaware Democratic Party. She is a candidate for a Master’s of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Government from the University of Delaware. She and her husband, Josh, have two daughters and live in Middletown. 

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WILMINGTON, Del. –  Governor John Carney announced on Friday that Secretary Robert Coupe – a longtime leader in Delaware law enforcement – will step down from his current role as the head of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security next month to join the Office of the Attorney General.

“There are few people across our state who are more well-respected, and more committed to serving the people of Delaware, than Secretary Coupe,” said Governor Carney. “When I was elected Governor in 2016, he was the clear choice to lead the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. He spent almost three decades at the Delaware State Police, rising through the ranks to become Superintendent, and later took on the unique and difficult challenge of leading the Department of Correction. There is simply no one more prepared to help Attorney General Jennings lead the Department of Justice. I look forward to continuing to work together with Secretary Coupe to protect the safety and welfare of Delaware communities.”

“It was an honor to be selected by Governor Carney as the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security and to have served alongside the members of the Governor’s Cabinet,” said Secretary Coupe. “I am grateful to have had the privilege to work with the dedicated women and men of the DSHS. Their devoted service was an inspiration for me to be at my best and to earn the right to lead such a talented group of people working to ensure the safety and security of Delaware.”  

Governor Carney will nominate Colonel Nathaniel McQueen, Jr., who currently leads the Delaware State Police, to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

The agency has responsibility for protecting the safety and welfare of all Delawareans, overseeing the Delaware State Police, the Capitol Police, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Highway Safety, and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities, among other divisions.

The Delaware Senate is expected to consider Colonel McQueen’s nomination in March.

“A real public servant and a natural leader, Colonel McQueen is the right choice to serve as our next Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security,” said Governor Carney. “I’ve known Colonel McQueen a long time, and I know he has dedicated his career to law enforcement, to protecting our communities, and to keeping Delawareans safe. Colonel McQueen has the right skill set and temperament to continue building trust between Delaware law enforcement and the communities they serve, and I look forward to the Senate considering his nomination.”

“I am truly humbled and honored to be nominated by Governor Carney as the next Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security,” said Colonel McQueen. “I am grateful for his trust and confidence in me to lead and serve as a member of his Cabinet. I thank Secretary Coupe for his leadership and guidance. He has been a true inspiration to us all.”

Colonel McQueen has led the Delaware State Police since 2012, during a time of reductions in violent crime statewide. Over the last decade, violent crime in Delaware communities has fallen 27 percent, according to data released in September by Delaware’s Statistical Analysis Center. Property crime is down 25 percent.

Colonel McQueen joined the Delaware State Police in 1988 and has served as Operations Major managing all troops statewide. He also served as Troop Commander at Troop 1 (Penny Hill), Troop 2 (Bear), and Troop 9 (Odessa). Colonel McQueen was a member of the Delaware State Police’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and he served for a time as the agency’s sketch artist.

Before he was nominated by Governor Carney to lead the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Coupe served as the Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction under Governor Jack Markell from 2013-2017.

He previously spent more than 28 years at the Delaware State Police, including more than three years leading the state police as Superintendent. During his career as a State Trooper, Coupe worked as a detective in the Major Crimes and Homicide units, a drill instructor at the training academy, a Patrol Sergeant, and an Internal Affairs investigator.

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Will conclude productive tenure at agency at the end of the month   

Wilmington – Secretary Shailen Bhatt will conclude a three and a half year tenure leading Delaware’s Department of Transportation (DelDOT) at the end of this month to accept a nomination by Governor John Hickenlooper to serve as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

“Shailen has done an excellent job enhancing the State’s transportation network while earning the respect of his colleagues and the trust of our citizens,” said Governor Jack Markell. “The agency faced numerous challenges over the past several years, including the need to address a significant debt load and respond to severe weather events, but under his leadership DelDOT tackled those challenges with dedication and professionalism. While this is a big loss for the State of Delaware, I am happy he’ll have the opportunity to work with one of the best governors in the country and am confident Shailen’s experience and leadership skills will have a positive impact in Colorado.”

Secretary Bhatt was appointed by Markell in 2010. Prior to his term as Delaware’s Secretary of Transportation, he served in several leadership roles throughout the country, including Associate Administrator at the Federal Highway Administration in Washington, D.C., Deputy Executive Director with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and Director of the Bowling Green/Warren County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“Throughout my career I‘ve tried to go where I felt I could do the most good, looking for opportunities to make meaningful contributions as a public servant,” said Bhatt. “I appreciate the opportunity Governor Markell gave me and I will always treasure the time I’ve spent in Delaware. It’s been an honor to lead Team DelDOT. I’m very proud of the people I served with and appreciate their unwavering support and enthusiastic commitment towards improving Delaware’s transportation system.”

Key accomplishments advancing Governor Markell’s transportation agenda include:

• Infrastructure and Quality of Life Investments: The Department has completed or initiated a number of major transportation projects:

• Indian River Inlet Bridge

• Highway speed electronic toll lanes on I-95

• Elkton Road improvements (Newark)

• South Market Street improvements (Wilmington)

• Route 54 improvements (Sussex County)

• Delaware City DMV facility

• Opening of the I-95 / SR 1 interchange

• Completing the I-95 / Route 202 interchange

• First State Trails and Pathways Initiative: DelDOT teamed with DNREC to deliver on Governor Markell’s commitment to build a first class trails network in the First State. Since 2010, more than $14 million has been invested in the creation of new or improved biking and pedestrian facilities. These trails and pathways better connect Delaware’s communities and improve health and recreational opportunities for citizens and visitors alike. Delaware now ranks as the 4^th Bicyclist Friendly State in 2014, according to the League of American Bicyclists.

• Strengthened Financial Stewardship: The department reigned in its operating budget while reducing debt. The department’s operating budget excluding storm related funds decreased each year since FY12, and debt obligations were reduced by 30% ($369 million) from a peak of $1.2 billion in FY11 to under $865 million in FY15.The department maintained an investment grade credit rating of Aa2/AA+ from Moody’s and Standard & Poor, respectively.

• Transit Redesign: The operations of DART First State have been revamped to control costs and improve transit services to create more convenient transportation options for all Delawareans. Changes included expanding fixed route services in New Castle County and Kent County by offering extended hours and expanded weekend service, increasing fares, distinguishing services areas inside and outside the ADA area, and utilizing the existing 5310 program to work with non-profit partners to provide alternative services for their clients. In addition, DTC launched a Flex Service program providing connections between Georgetown, Millsboro and Lewes as an alternative for people to travel to a destination one mile off of fixed route, as opposed to using paratransit.

• Improved Customer Service: DelDOT has focused on providing excellent customer service, whether to the driving public, passengers on buses, developers, car dealers or customers at the division of motor vehicles. The agency is actively tracking customer feedback to identify areas that need improvement. The following are some of the initiatives that have been implemented in the Division of Motor Vehicles which served over 630,000 customers in the past year with an average wait time of 13 minutes.

• Expand Customer Service and Outreach to Certain Driving Populations: DMV continues to expand its customer service outreach to Hispanic, senior and teen populations through increased participation in community events and public relation efforts.
• Automate Customer Satisfaction Survey for DMV: DMV added a customer service satisfaction survey question to the end of customer transactions via the credit card device at each station to increase our number of responses. The results show overall services at 99% excellent or good.
• Expand Services at DMV Kiosks: Self-service kiosks now allow customers to complete driver license renewals, duplicates and address changes, as well as registration renewal.
• Print on Demand Temporary Tag Program:  To increase the level of service to the state’s auto dealers, the division expanded the use of the print-on-demand temporary tag program to the majority of Delaware new car dealers. The program allows for auto dealers to print temporary tags on demand at their facilities instead of pre-purchasing tags (inventory) from the DMV and handwriting the vehicle information on the tags.

• Improved Development Coordination:  Recognizing the vital role DelDOT plays in the success of economic development in the state, the agency set a performance goal that staff must provide comments on development plans within 45 days of receipt. To date, DelDOT is meeting this goal the overwhelming majority of the time. This provides the development community with predictability in the permitting process. Through the review of agency regulations under Executive Order #36, DelDOT modified its multi-use path policy and created a “Letter of No Contention” approval to process plans that have fewer than 199 average daily trips. This process is especially helpful to small businesses trying to develop or expand.

• Transportation Improvement Districts: Through the creation and implementation of Transportation Improvement Districts (TIDs), communities now have an opportunity to work with the local land use department and DelDOT to determine the appropriate size of transportation improvements in identified growth zones. Predetermined traffic counts and streamlined technical assistance will help developers accelerate the permitting process, saving time and money in the construction of new homes and businesses.

• Reform of the Capital Transportation Program Process: The department undertook the process of creating a data driven project prioritization processes that uses performance metrics to guide decision-making. Using a software tool called Decision Lens; the department has created a project evaluation and ranking system that ensures projects are consistent with the mission, vision and goals of the department; especially with regard to their ability to create a safer transportation system in Delaware.

• Implementation of the 2011 Transportation Trust Fund Task Force Report Recommendations: The 2011 Transportation Trust Fund Task Force (Task Force) studied the entire transportation program for the period Fiscal Year 2012-2023 and concluded that total spending for transportation expenses over the period could reasonably be estimated to total $12.4 billion and that current revenue streams will support only 70% of those needs. The result of that imbalance, if not corrected, would be either the elimination of all new capital projects by 2017 or severe reductions in the Department’s Core Program resulting in an accelerated deterioration of Delaware’s transportation infrastructure. The Task Force put forth a list of recommendations to address the financial challenges facing the department. DelDOT acted on a number of these recommendations, including reducing borrowing, keeping operating costs level, creating a more sustainable business model for transit, and making more intelligent use of available dollars through the adoption of a data-driven capital spending process. Creating a sustainable stream of revenue for the trust fund remains the overarching unrealized recommendation in the task force report, however. As the report stated, “the essential goal in correcting the structural problem of funding the TTF is to create a sustainable stream of revenue which supports an appropriately sized capital program to meet the State’s infrastructure needs.”

In his new role, Secretary Bhatt will lead the Department in planning for and addressing Colorado’s transportation needs. He will oversee 3,300 employees statewide and an annual budget of approximately $1 billion to help CDOT continue its mission of providing the best multi-modal transportation system for Colorado that safely and most effectively moves people, goods and information.

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Will take over as President and CEO of the North Carolina-based company effective September 1^st

Wilmington – After leading the Delaware Department of Information and Technology (DTI) for more than five years, Secretary Jim Sills will step down to assume the role of president and chief executive officer of Mechanics and Farmers Bank (M&F Bank), effective September 1^st. Secretary Sills was appointed by Governor Jack Markell in 2009.

“Jim has earned the respect of many throughout the State of Delaware, including the strong and capable team at DTI, who will continue to build on the efforts of the past five years,” said Markell. “While we are sad to see him leave, we know his exceptional leadership skills and extensive banking background will serve M&F Bank well.”

Prior to his current role, Sills served in multiple senior leadership positions, including chief operating officer of First Tuskegee Bank and president and CEO of Memphis First Community Bank (now Landmark Bank). For five years, he served as executive vice president of MBNA America Bank/Technology Sector (now Bank of America). Following this role, he founded Homeland Security Verification, LLC, a small employment verification company, in 2007.

“I want to thank Governor Markell for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet,” said Sills. “I have enjoyed my public service experience, serving the citizens of Delaware, and working with the Cabinet, Legislature, Judiciary, and K-12 school districts to enhance the technology offerings in the State of Delaware. It’s been a privilege to lead the staff at the Department of Technology and Information (DTI). We have accomplished and implemented many IT initiatives that have served the state and taxpayers well. I want to thank the DTI staff for their hard work and dedication.”

Key accomplishments advancing Governor Markell’s technology and information agenda include:

• Implementation of the State’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project (New First State Financial System): This $80 Million project was successfully implemented in July 2010, and was the largest effort ever undertaken within state information technology. This project affected 35 state agencies, 19 school districts, 19 charter schools, and 2 higher education organizations, with an impact on 35,000 employees. Ultimately 3,700 end users were trained in the months prior to implementation.
  

• Consolidation of IT resources in state government: Starting with Executive Order 20, enacted in August 2010, DTI has been the lead state agency in identifying redundant functions and resources within various agencies and consolidating them into leaner and more efficient entities. This has led to significant improvements in customer service, service delivery, cost savings, and overall insight into the departments’ major projects. In addition, DTI launched an Enterprise Data Management & Governance Plan (EDMP) to better share data within and across organizations, to create efficiencies with business processes, to optimize the usage of data, and to reduce costs to the state by optimizing software licensing and reducing hardware footprints.

• Virtual Servers: Delaware leads the nation with 85 percent of our servers virtualized.  DTI developed a private cloud solution, and added more than 1300 physical servers to the virtualized private cloud. These physical servers made up a 262 percent increase since 2009, and this consolidation has resulted in an estimated cost avoidance of approximately $4.0 million.
  

• Cyber Security Awareness and Education: DTI is deeply involved in many Cyber Activities.  They include hosting the Cyber Brief: “Cyber Terrorism Defense Training”, the annual Delaware Cyber Security Exercise, and Cyber Safety presentations to school-aged children, as well as Cyber Aces and Cyber Security Challenge camps.  Delaware is recognized as one of the top states for awareness, training, and outreach in this space.  Further, Delaware is one of four states that require their employees to take an annual Cyber Computer Based training program – 98 percent of the employees have taken the course.      
  

• Expansion of High-Speed Broadband Access in Sussex County: House Bill 96 created the “Delaware Broadband Fund” to support and enhance broadband services in the State’s public schools and public libraries and for rural broadband initiatives in unserved areas of the State. DTI and Governor Markell announced the $2 million grant opportunity for telecom providers to help expand broadband in the Georgetown/Sussex County area.

M&F Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of M&F Bancorp, Inc., a one-bank holding company headquartered in Durham, NC, with assets of approximately $299.9 million as of March 31, 2014.

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Robert M. Coupe was today sworn in by Delaware Governor Jack Markell as Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) during a ceremony held at the DOC Administration Building in Dover. Coupe was joined by his family and was surrounded by friends, former colleagues and special guests.

After taking the oath of office alongside his wife, Pamela, and their children, Jocelyn and Tyler, Coupe expressed his thoughts on assuming leadership responsibilities for the second-largest Executive branch agency in Delaware and, with more than 2,500 employees, the largest law enforcement agency in the State.

“I am humbled as I stand before you today,” Commissioner Coupe stated during his remarks. “It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve you as the new Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction. I accept the responsibility of the position and pledge my commitment to serve with dignity and honor befitting the integrity of the Department. I am excited as I join the leadership team of the Department of Correction and look forward to the opportunity to proudly serve alongside the dedicated men and women of the Department.”

Coupe also took the opportunity to unveil an overview of his leadership plan for the DOC. He shared five areas of concentration:

1. To create a climate of trust through open and honest communication, both within the Department and externally.

2. To prepare for and anticipate change, and not be surprised by it.

3. To have a succession plan that includes developing future leaders for their opportunity to lead.

4. To have transparency in the decision making process.

5. To create a culture of accountability and generate unity throughout the Department.

“I am confident that my leadership plan will reinforce the positive efforts of the employees of the Department of Correction while enhancing the public’s confidence in the Department,” said Coupe.

Coupe, recently retired from the Delaware State Police after almost 28 years of service to the Division, was nominated as Corrections Commissioner by Governor Jack Markell on March 1 and confirmed by the Delaware Senate on March 13. At the time of his retirement, Coupe was the Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel.

Governor Markell, during his comments before the swearing in, highlighted Coupe’s past success heading the Delaware State Police and commended his ability as a leader.

“He is truly an extraordinary leader,” Governor Markell said of Coupe. “He is open, transparent, forward-thinking and has a sense of urgency.”

As Commissioner of the Department of Correction (DOC), Coupe will work with the bureaus of Management Services, Correctional Healthcare Services, Prisons, and Community Corrections, to supervise approximately 6,500 individuals incarcerated in prison, more than 1,000 offenders serving a sentence within a community corrections facility, and approximately 17,000 probationers living in the community.

A video from the ceremony is available on YouTube.