Dover, DE – The Delaware Senate today unanimously confirmed the nomination of Bernice Whaley to serve as Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, succeeding Alan Levin, whose last day is June 30, 2015. The Governor issued this statement following the confirmation:

“Bernice has a proven track record of successfully supporting and growing businesses in Delaware. Equally important, she is committed to strengthening the state she feels has given her so many opportunities, both professionally and personally. Today’s unanimous vote by the Senate affirms her efforts. I look forward to our work together and I appreciate the Senate’s consideration and support.”

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Deputy Director Bernice Whaley Brings 25 Years of Business Experience and Record of Accomplishment at DEDO to the Post

Dover, DE – Governor Jack Markell announced today that he will nominate Deputy Director Bernice Whaley to be the next Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO). If confirmed by the Delaware State Senate, Whaley will succeed Alan Levin, who will resign in June to pursue business interests.

“Bernice is a remarkable person who has overcome significant personal challenges and adversity to succeed in business and in the public sector,” said Governor Markell. “Over 25 years, she was a vital piece of the team that grew Happy Harry’s from a local retailer with 13 stores into the leading drug store chain in our state and region. She knows what it takes to create and grow a business, and since joining DEDO in 2009, she has brought that experience to work for Delaware businesses.”

Whaley is an accomplished businesswoman with substantial experience in retailing and inventory management. Raised by a single mother who passed away when she was a teenager, Whaley attended the University of Delaware while working full time. Upon graduation, Whaley took an entry-level position managing inventory at Happy Harry’s, which had only 13 stores and approximately 100 employees.

Over the next 25 years as Happy Harry’s grew to 76 stores and 2800 employees, Whaley served as Vice President of Distribution and Inventory Management, managing all aspects of Happy Harry’s inventory, supply chain, and operation of distribution centers. After the sale of Happy Harry’s to Walgreen’s, Whaley worked for Karabus Management, which provided management consulting on logistics, merchandizing, and reorganization for national and international retailers.

In June of 2009, Whaley became Deputy Director of DEDO. As Deputy Director, Whaley manages the Office’s day-to-day operations, including leading business development and attraction projects, working with site advisors, and leading the development of the State’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

“It’s an honor to be nominated by Governor Markell,” said Whaley. “If confirmed, I want to build on DEDO’s successes and focus on enhancing the support we offer to small businesses. I know what it takes to grow a small business to the next level – creating jobs and stability. If I am confirmed as DEDO Director, I want to extend DEDO’s outreach with programming on how to access capital, how to get your business noticed, how to benefit from e-commerce, and how to benefit from productivity strategies.”

Whaley has been a leader at DEDO at a time of economic recovery and a surge in job growth. At 4.4 percent, Delaware has had the fastest job growth in the Mid-Atlantic over the past two years, also exceeding the national average of four percent. Meanwhile, the state’s unemployment rate has fallen to 4.6 percent, the lowest in the region, and average annual wages have increased more than nine percent since 2009, among the best in the region.

In releasing its job creation index for 2014, Gallup noted that Delaware had gone “from one of the lowest-ranking states in 2008 and 2009 to one of the top-ranking in 2013 and 2014. Delaware holds the distinction of being the only state anywhere along the Eastern seaboard to be in the top 10.”

“I have known and worked with Bernice Whaley for over 10 years,” said Jim Kelly, Executive Vice President at Capital One. “‎Bernice has a unique track record of success in business, community, and government endeavors. As Deputy Director of Economic Development she has aggressively represented the best interests of Delawareans and helped to build the foundation for tomorrow’s economy.”

“SevOne owes its roots in Delaware to the proactive, supportive efforts of DEDO,” said company CFO Mike Shanahan. “As we considered expansion alternatives, Bernice was a great resource, bringing together various parties public and private to make it possible for us to stay here. Bernice guided us through the process of committing to our new home at the STAR campus and she proved to be resourceful, responsive, and creative – all reasons why I think she’ll make a great new Director.”

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Markell is also announcing that he will nominate Secretary of State Jeff Bullock to become Chair of the Diamond State Port Corporation when Levin, who is the current Chair, steps down at the end of June. Bullock currently serves as Vice Chair.

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Governor recognizes Levin’s efforts to help Delaware post strongest job growth in the region

Dover, DE – Having helped rebuild Delaware’s economy from the depths of the Great Recession to record employment numbers and the best job growth in the region, Economic Development Director Alan Levin announced today that he would leave the Markell Administration at the end of the year’s legislative session to pursue a new business opportunity.

Beginning in July, Levin will join SoDel Concepts, the successful restaurant and hospitality group in Sussex County started by his late friend and mentor Matt Haley. He will serve as Senior Advisor to the management team to help take their successful Delaware company to the next level in a dynamic industry.

“Alan took his position at a particularly challenging economic time,” said Markell. “Alan has shown great leadership during six years that have been marked by great progress in recovering from the Great Recession and addressing the challenges of the 21^st century.”

“Successfully improving the economy since 2009 has required a relentless pursuit of opportunities to attract new companies and support existing ones, as well as an ability to recognize and adjust to the forces of globalization and technological innovation that are shaping today’s world. Alan excels in all of these areas and I’m forever grateful for his tireless service to our state and for his long-term commitment to the Administration.”

Levin has led the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) since Governor Markell took office in 2009, at a time when tens of thousands of Delawareans were losing their jobs as result of the national economic crisis. As the Administration’s top priority focused on putting people back to work, the state’s initial economic development successes included re-opening the shuttered oil refinery in Delaware City and attracting new manufacturing and other economic development to the site of the old Chrysler plant in Newark.

Other large and small companies that have re-located or expanded their operations in Delaware include: Amazon, Baltimore Aircoil, Barclays, Atlantis Industries, Calpine, Citigroup, Capital One, ILC Dover, Johnson Controls, JP Morgan Chase, Kraft Foods, Miller Metal, Mountaire Farms, PTM Manufacturing, Purdue, Sallie Mae, and Testing Machines, Inc.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Governor Markell for the opportunity to serve the people of Delaware during this very difficult time in our state’s history,” said Levin. “From the start it has been challenging, but I am pleased to say that we are in a much better place than when we started and the outlook for our citizens in the years to come is much brighter because of the hard work of the staff at DEDO. While I leave with mixed emotions, the opportunity to perpetuate the great work of entrepreneur and humanitarian Matt Haley will allow me to continue service to the people of Delaware in different but equally rewarding ways.”

At 4.4 percent, Delaware has had the fastest job growth in the Mid-Atlantic over the past two years, also exceeding the national average of four percent. Meanwhile, the state’s unemployment rate has fallen to 4.6 percent, the lowest in the region, and average annual wages have increased more than nine percent since 2009, among the best in the region.

In releasing its job creation index for 2014, Gallup noted that Delaware had gone “from one of the lowest-ranking states in 2008 and 2009 to one of the top-ranking in 2013 and 2014. Delaware holds the distinction of being the only state anywhere along the Eastern seaboard to be in the top 10.”

In addition, Delaware was recently recognized by The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation as one of the top two states best prepared for the new economy, which is “marked by globalization, technological innovation and entrepreneurial development.”

Markell plans to make an announcement about a nomination for the next DEDO Director in the coming days.

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