New agency created by House Bill 4; Sandy Johnson previously served as Director of Delaware State Housing Authority

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced his appointment of Sandy Johnson – a former Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority who has significant executive experience – to serve as Acting Secretary of Delaware’s newly-created Department of Human Resources.

Governor Carney intends to nominate Johnson to serve as Secretary of the agency when the Delaware Senate reconvenes and members can consider her nomination.

“I know Sandy well, and believe she has the right mix of experience, leadership skills, and thoughtfulness to help us get this Department off the ground, and make a real difference for state employees,” said Governor Carney. “This new Department will tackle issues important to our employees, and will help us operate more efficiently across state agencies. I’m confident that Sandy is the right person for the job. Thank you to members of the General Assembly for their leadership in helping create this agency to focus attention and resources on state government’s most important asset – our employees.”

Since 2009, Johnson has been the Executive Director of the City of Camden Redevelopment Agency, working as a member of a mayoral executive team with responsibility for housing, commercial and institutional revitalization in Camden, N.J.

From 2000-2009, Johnson served as a member of then-Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s Cabinet as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. As Director, Johnson was responsible for more than 100 employees and the operation of mortgage finance programs, public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, the administration of federal housing tax credits, and other housing development programs. She oversaw a more than $10 million operating budget, a $100 million housing trust fund portfolio, and a $2 billion bond portfolio.

Previously she was Executive Director for Interfaith Housing, Delaware’s largest statewide housing redeveloper, and worked as Director of New Castle County’s Department of Community Development and Housing.

“I am deeply grateful to the Governor for this nomination. His confidence in my ability to assist in moving his agenda forward with a strong human resource infrastructure is humbling,” said Johnson. “Our Governor understands the critical role state workers play in good government, and that the time to focus on this is now.”

The new Department of Human Resources was created by House Bill 4, to help confront issues important to state employees and improve the delivery of human resources services. The new agency’s priorities will include promoting diversity and inclusion across state government, and working with the Department of Correction to address the state’s shortage of correctional officers.

Creating a new Human Resources Department was a recommendation of Governor Carney’s Action Plan For Delaware.

The Summer Initiative will coordinate delivery of state services for families in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced the Family Services Cabinet Council’s Summer Initiative, an interagency effort to improve the coordination of state services to better meet the needs of families in the city of Wilmington.

The FSCC Summer Initiative will bring together front-line staff from across Delaware’s state agencies to better coordinate state services for Wilmington families – including programs that offer job training, early childhood education, substance abuse treatment, and quality, affordable housing.

“Too many Wilmington children and families deal with the effects of poverty, the trauma of violence in their neighborhoods and the challenges associated with navigating an economy in transition,” said Governor Carney. “These issues permeate homes and classrooms every day, and it’s our duty to stand up for these families. The Family Services Cabinet Council’s Summer Initiative will make sure that government agencies are working together more efficiently and effectively on behalf of families in the city of Wilmington.”

Agency staff gathered for an orientation and training at the Department of Health and Social Services in Wilmington on Thursday. Training will ensure that state employees, especially those serving families in Wilmington, understand and are aware of the wide range of state services available to their clients. Wilmington representatives also attended Thursday’s training to improve coordination of city and state services.

“Sometimes, families in Wilmington who are in need of support have too many people knocking on their doors offering help. Through Governor Carney’s leadership of the Family Services Cabinet Council, we want to change that so those supports are better integrated and better coordinated,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services. “Starting this summer, state outreach staff will call families, listen to their needs, and suggest services across state government that can help to meet those needs. Most importantly, they will coordinate with the state agencies so those services are delivered.”

“Children who grow up in positive and healthy environments with nurturing families and mentors are much more likely to develop into caring adults who value their communities,” said Josette Manning, Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families. “We recognize there are significant societal challenges in Wilmington and the well-being of our families is at stake.  We stand ready with our fellow state agencies and the City to share resources and expertise, develop more creative programming, and work with the community to help prepare our families for a bright future.”

“I am proud to serve on the Council with the other members. We look forward to the opportunity to improve the coordination and delivery of services to those who need it most,” said Robert Coupe, Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

“We must do our part to break this cycle,” said Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Secretary of the Department of Labor. “Our team at the Delaware Department of Labor is pleased to be a part of this vital initiative and looks forward to coordinating the delivery of these valuable resources to deserving families.”

Governor Carney reestablished the Family Services Cabinet Council as one of his first official acts as Governor, signaling the importance of coordinating crucial public and private services for youth and families in Wilmington and across Delaware.

The Council includes eight members of Governor Carney’s Cabinet – the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families; the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services; the Secretary of the Department of Education; the Secretary of the Department of Labor; the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security; the Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority; the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; and the Commissioner of the Department of Correction.

Governor Carney tasked the Council with implementing innovative tools and strategies for addressing a series of specific issues, including: breaking the school-to-prison pipeline; improving access to early childhood education; increasing the availability of affordable housing; improving access to substance abuse treatment; reducing recidivism in Delaware’s correctional system; expanding job training opportunities; and reducing violence in Delaware’s neighborhoods.

Whaley is joining St. Andrew’s School as Director of Development

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced that Dr. Bernice Whaley, the Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, is leaving DEDO to become Director of Development at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown.

Dr. Whaley has served as DEDO Director since June 2015. She had been deputy director of DEDO since 2009.

“Bernice has been a source of steady leadership at the Delaware Economic Development Office,” said Governor Carney. “In recent months, she has led DEDO while serving on the Economic Development Working Group, helping us craft a new economic development strategy to invest in Delaware’s entrepreneurs, attract good-paying jobs, and grow our economy. I am thankful for Bernice’s service, and wish her the best of luck going forward.”

Cerron Cade, the deputy director of DEDO, will serve as acting director until a permanent director is selected.

“For over eight years, I’ve had the pleasure of serving the people of Delaware – first as deputy director and then as DEDO’s director. I am grateful to have been a part of this amazing team and honored to have the opportunity to lead it for the past two years,” said Dr. Whaley. “We’ve helped enhance the economic vitality of the state by creating and retaining thousands of jobs, attracting businesses and visitors from across the globe, implementing new initiatives to support workforce development and bolster our community of small businesses and entrepreneurs. I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the people of Delaware and students from around the world in a different, but equally rewarding, role with St. Andrew’s School.”

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“Thank you to the members of the Delaware Senate for confirming Shawn Garvin to Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. We need to continue to protect Delaware from the threats of climate change, to work with our farmers to help them operate in more environmentally friendly ways, and to invest outside, in our beaches and our tourism economy. With important environmental issues to address in our state and his extensive background, I know he will be a strong leader.”

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The Delaware Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Shawn M. Garvin as the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control:

Shawn M. Garvin was confirmed to serve as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, leading the state department tasked with protecting and managing the state’s natural resources, protecting public health, providing outdoor recreational opportunities, and educating Delawareans about the environment.

Garvin was appointed in November 2009 by President Barack Obama to serve as Regional Administrator of Region III of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Since that time, he has overseen the agency’s work in the region, which includes the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia.

Garvin previously had been the Senior State and Congressional Liaison for the EPA’s Region III office. Earlier, he served as an aide to then-U.S. Senator Joe Biden and as Executive Assistant to former New Castle County Executive Dennis Greenhouse.

“Thank you to the members of the Delaware Senate for confirming a group of dedicated public servants to positions in my Cabinet. Together, we will work to improve our public education system; make common-sense criminal justice reforms; invest in Delaware’s agricultural industry; expand broadband access; make affordable housing more accessible; and continue to make investments that modernize our Delaware National Guard.”

The Delaware Senate voted to confirm the following nominees to Governor Carney’s Cabinet on Wednesday:

Brigadier General Carol A. Timmons was confirmed as the next Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard. General Timmons will replace Lieutenant General Francis D. Vavala, who will retire effective January 31 after nearly 50 years of service. He has led the Delaware National Guard as Adjutant General since 1999.

General Carol A. Timmons is currently the Assistant Adjutant General responsible for leading the Delaware Air National Guard, commanding an authorized force of 1,100 Airmen and ensuring that all Guard Airmen are trained, organized and equipped to support federal and state missions.

General Timmons has served as a member of the Delaware National Guard for 39 years, serving as a pilot in both the Delaware Army National Guard and the Delaware Air National Guard.

She is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Joint Guard, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. In 2008, she earned a Bronze Star for her service commanding a combat deployment to Afghanistan.

General Timmons will become Delaware’s first female Adjutant General, with responsibility for preparing the Delaware National Guard to support both federal and state missions.

Anas Ben Addi was confirmed to continue serving as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, a housing finance and community development agency that ensures that Delawareans have access to quality, affordable housing and oversees community and neighborhood revitalization efforts statewide.

Ben Addi was first nominated by Governor Jack Markell and confirmed by the Delaware Senate in 2009 to lead DSHA. During his time as Director, Ben Addi has helped launch and implement the State Rental Assistance Program, which helps Delawareans who require supportive services to live safely and independently in their communities.

He also has expanded access to DSHA’s low-cost mortgage programs and led efforts to drive private investment in Delaware’s downtown areas through the Downtown Development Districts program.

Dr. Susan Bunting was confirmed as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education, overseeing Delaware’s public school system and serving as an education policy adviser to the Governor.

Since 2006, Dr. Bunting has been Superintendent of the Indian River School District, one of the state’s largest school districts serving more than 10,000 students. Dr. Bunting has worked at Indian River since 1977, first as a teacher, and later as the district’s Supervisor of Elementary Instruction and K-12 Director of Instruction.

In 2012, she was one of four finalists for the American Association of School Administrators’ National Superintendent of the Year award. Dr. Bunting earned a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Delaware.

Robert Coupe was confirmed as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the agency with responsibility for protecting the safety and welfare of all Delawareans, overseeing the Delaware State Police, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities, among other divisions.

Coupe has served as Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction since 2013, having been appointed by Governor Jack Markell and confirmed by the Delaware Senate. In his current position, he oversees Delaware’s correctional system, leading an agency with 2,500 employees that supervises more than 7,000 inmates.

Previously, he 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, he worked as a Detective in the Major Crimes and Homicide units, drill instructor at the training academy, Patrol Sergeant, and Internal Affairs investigator.

James Collins was confirmed to continue serving as Chief Information Officer at the Delaware Department of Technology and Information, overseeing the department that provides technology services to state organizations and serving as a technology adviser to the Governor.

Collins was first nominated as Chief Information Officer by Governor Jack Markell and confirmed by the Delaware Senate in 2014. During his tenure, Collins has expanded broadband services across rural areas in Delaware, helped implement the Delaware Cyber Security Advisory Council and expanded the state’s open data portal.

He previously served as Deputy Secretary of State and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Markell. Earlier, he was a senior consultant with Peregrine Systems and MAXIMUS Inc., implementing large-scale software projects for clients including Pepsi Bottling Group, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. Collins is also an 8-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he helped implement the Composite Healthcare System to convert from paper-based to electronic record and scheduling systems.

Michael Scuse was confirmed as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Agriculture, an agency that promotes and supports Delaware’s agricultural industry, oversees food inspection services to protect Delaware consumers, ensures agricultural compliance statewide, and helps conserve forest resources.

Scuse has served as the Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture since March 2016, helping support the national agricultural industry, promote vibrant rural communities, and open new markets for America’s farmers. Previously, Scuse was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, leading efforts to promote American agricultural products globally. From 2001 to 2008, he served Secretary of the Delaware Department of Agriculture under then-Governor Ruth Ann Minner.