WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced he intends to nominate Terra Taylor to serve as Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC).

Taylor’s nomination must be approved by the Delaware State Senate.

“Terra’s years of experience within the Department of Correction— starting from her time as a Probation Officer to Chief of Community Corrections to Deputy Commissioner to Acting Commissioner—make her a strong leader for DOC,” said Governor Carney. “I’d like to thank Terra for stepping into this role, and I’m confident she will continue the important work underway at DOC. I look forward to the Delaware Senate considering her nomination.”

Taylor has served as Acting Commissioner since July 2023 and was previously the Deputy Commissioner of DOC. As Deputy Commissioner, Taylor held the Department’s second-highest position with responsibilities for supervising the Department’s four Bureaus and setting direction through policy development, strategic planning, and decision making.

Taylor, who initially joined DOC in 1997, previously served as Chief of Community Corrections and led the bureau that oversees Probation and Parole, pretrial services, the community work release program, electronic monitoring and other supervision programs for more than 10,000 individuals statewide who are housed in Work Release and Violation of Probation facilities or are serving probationary sentences or court-ordered pretrial supervision in the community. The Bureau of Community Corrections has also played an active role in implementing innovative crime reduction initiatives, including the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Projects in the City of Wilmington and Kent County.

Additional personnel changes announced to focus on management of federal ARPA and infrastructure funding

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced that he will nominate Claire DeMatteis to serve as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources (DHR), where she would provide support for Delaware’s state workforce and manage recruitment and retention programs across the executive branch of state government.

DeMatteis currently serves as Special Assistant to the Governor, overseeing the management of federal stimulus dollars. Governor Carney’s nomination must be confirmed by the Delaware Senate.

“Claire has stepped up time and time again over the last five years,” said Governor Carney. “She helped manage major reforms at the Department of Correction, and later led the agency with distinction from 2019-2021. In her current role, she has helped make sure we are efficiently managing an influx of federal stimulus dollars to the State. Claire has a proven ability to take on difficult challenges and I look forward to the Senate confirming her nomination.”

In her current position as Special Assistant to Governor Carney, DeMatteis oversees management of federal stimulus funding received by the State of Delaware, and assists with crisis management projects across state government.

If confirmed by the Senate as DHR Secretary, DeMatteis would focus on modernizing the state workforce post-pandemic, including efforts to:

• Recruit a new generation of workers into state government that reflects that state’s population;
• Address compensation inequities across state government agencies;
• And increase efforts to provide professional development and training for all state employees, including diversity and inclusion training, leadership development, and mentorship programs. 

Also on Thursday, Governor Carney announced senior personnel changes to manage additional federal funding. 

A.J. Schall, Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), who continues to lead the State’s logistical response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will manage recovery efforts and implementation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments, while remaining in his current DEMA role.

Greg Patterson, currently the Chief of Staff at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), will move to the Office of the Governor as Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator to manage funding received by the State of Delaware through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The bipartisan law was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden on November 15. 

White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu urged governors this week to name implementation coordinators to oversee the new infrastructure spending. Delaware is expected to receive more than $2 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including significant new funding for road and bridge repairs, broadband expansion, clean water projects, and electric vehicle infrastructure. 

Patterson, who previously served in roles for Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Governor Jack Markell, as well as at the state Department of Justice and Department of Insurance, will also assist in reviewing and streamlining State regulations related to economic development, consistent with the ongoing Ready in 6 initiative to advance job creation efforts.

“I’ve known A.J. and Greg for years, and both are consummate public servants who I’m confident are ready for this challenge,” said Governor Carney. “For almost two years, A.J. has led the State’s logistical response to the COVID-19 pandemic, managing the statewide testing program and rollout of the vaccine. In the months ahead, A.J. and Greg will continue to manage recovery efforts and make sure we are getting stimulus dollars out the door and putting them to work for Delaware families. I want to thank both for their continued public service.”

DeMatteis previously served as Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) from 2019-2021, as Special Assistant to Governor Carney overseeing reforms to Delaware’s corrections system, and in a senior role at the Delaware Department of Labor (DOL). 

From 2008-2016, DeMatteis worked as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer of two multi-billion dollar corporations. 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 Joe 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.

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Dr. Mark Holodick, now at the University of Delaware, spent a decade leading the Brandywine School District as Superintendent 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced that Dr. Mark Holodick, former superintendent of the Brandywine School District, will be nominated to serve as next Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education (DOE).

Governor Carney’s nomination must be approved by the Delaware Senate.

“Dr. Holodick spent a decade leading the Brandywine School District and understands what it takes to create a culture where all students and educators can succeed,” said Governor Carney. “His experience as Superintendent of Brandywine, and before that as a principal, will help him support school leaders and educators across our state. As Secretary, he will continue focusing our efforts to support our most disadvantaged students and make sure that all Delaware children are getting the education they deserve. I want to thank Mark for his willingness to serve, and members of the Senate for considering his nomination.”

Last year, Holodick joined the Delaware Academy for School Leadership at the University of Delaware, where he leads coaching and professional development programs for principals and other school and district leaders. He had been Superintendent of the Brandywine School District since 2009, overseeing 16 schools with more than 10,000 students.

Previously, Holodick was principal at Concord High School and at a blended middle and high school in the Delmar School District. 

Holodick was named Administrator of the Year in 2016 by the Delaware Association of Educational Office Professionals and Superintendent of the Year in 2017 by the Delaware Chief School Officers Association.

“I appreciate being given the opportunity to work collaboratively with educators and stakeholders across Delaware with a focus on improving opportunities and outcomes for all students,” said Holodick. “If confirmed by the Senate, I will assume the position of Secretary with much gratitude and enthusiasm.”

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Director Anas Ben Addi is leaving for Chief Financial Officer position at Delaware State University

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday announced he will nominate Eugene Young, Jr., currently the President and CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League (MWUL), as the next Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).

The Delaware Senate is expected to consider Governor Carney’s nomination on June 23. If confirmed by the Senate, Young would replace Director Anas Ben Addi, who has led Delaware’s housing and community development agency since 2009 and is leaving to become Chief Financial Officer at Delaware State University.

“I know Eugene well and I know he’s committed to strengthening the City of Wilmington and communities across Delaware, which is at the core of DSHA’s mission,” said Governor Carney. “He is the ideal candidate to take on this position and I’m confident he will build on progress to make affordable, safe housing accessible for all Delawareans. I also want to thank Director Ben Addi, who led DSHA through the foreclosure crisis in 2009 and has broadened the agency’s mission to include community and economic development efforts statewide. His leadership will be missed, and we wish him well at DSU.”

Young has served as President and CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League since 2017. He also founded the grassroots organizing nonprofit Network Delaware, served as an aide in the Delaware General Assembly, and also as an aide to former Mayor and current U.S. Senator Cory Booker.

“I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve our state in this important role,” said Eugene Young, Jr. “As we continue to work our way out of this pandemic, accessible and affordable housing will be critical in our recovery. I look forward to working with the legislature, community, and key stakeholders to carry on the great work of Director Ben Addi and the incredible DSHA team.”

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Delaware as Director of DSHA for the last 12 years, and I am incredibly proud of the work our dedicated team at DSHA has accomplished during my tenure,” said Director Ben Addi. “I’m excited to take on this new challenge as Chief Financial Officer with Delaware State University and look forward to helping advance the mission of the university as a center for teaching, research and public service.”

Ben Addi was confirmed as Director of DSHA by the Delaware Senate in January 2009. During his time as Director, Ben Addi broadened the agency’s community development work, overseeing the Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund to assist blighted neighborhoods statewide after the foreclosure crisis. He also oversaw the creation of the Downtown Development Districts program, which incentivizes investments in downtown areas statewide.

Previously, he served as Housing Finance Director for the agency, overseeing mortgage finance and affordable housing finance programs.

“Anas Ben Addi is an exceptionally talented public servant,” said Dr. Tony Allen, President of Delaware State University. “He has used his vast experience in housing finance and planning and community development to transform the lives of the tens of thousands of Delawareans. He was not simply a cabinet secretary for two Governors. Anas is a solutions-driven leader who thinks holistically about culture, community, and people. I could not be more pleased to have him join our leadership team as the University’s Chief Financial Officer and am looking forward to working with him for years to come.”

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