For four Delaware high schools, the 2018-19 school year will be the launch of the NAF Academy of Business Information Management program.

“These schools join a national network that provides the tools, resources and opportunities necessary to ensure that all high school students are college-, career- and future-ready,” Secretary of Education Susan Bunting said.

The schools are Caesar Rodney School District’s Caesar Rodney High School, Red Clay Consolidated School District’s A.I. duPont High School, Smyrna School District’s Smyrna High School and Odyssey Charter School. All four completed NAF’s rigorous planning program.

The Academy of Business Information Management (AoBIM) introduces students to the skills needed to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations through courses focusing on entrepreneurship, global and domestic economics, information technology, customer service and ethics. Students gain critical career knowledge through a series of work-based learning activities that are conducted in school, as well as outside the classroom, and a 120-hour paid summer internship. Completion of the program is validated with a NAFTrack Certification, NAF’s student certification assessment system.

“With technology playing such a large part in students’ lives, we are excited to broaden their perspective of how technology ties into the workplace with a focus on ethics and policies preparing them for the workforce,” A.I. duPont teacher Charles Schneider said.

These schools are now part of NAF’s network of 675 academies across 36 states, including DC and the US Virgin Islands. NAF provides high school students with career-themed instruction and hands on experiences in viable industries including finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences. To adopt an Academy of Business Information Management program of study, interested schools may contact DOE education associate Lisa Wilson at lisa.wilson@doe.k12.de.us.

“On behalf of the entire NAF network, I’d like to give a warm welcome to all of our new academies and look forward to the many contributions you make to the network as a whole. Best wishes for a successful first year and know that you have the continuous support of your NAF family every step of the way.” NAF President JD Hoye said.

Media Contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

DOVER – Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced today that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will welcome two new staff members Dec. 11: Deputy Secretary Lisa Borin Ogden, and a new chief of staff to the DNREC Secretary, Kristin Barnekov-Short, who both bring with them extensive experience in the fields of the environment and government.

Most recently, Lisa Borin Ogden worked as the director of the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program and a Deputy Attorney General in the Delaware Department of Justice. In that role, she advised the Attorney General on funding and proposed legislation, and worked with the General Assembly, the community, and the courts.

Prior to her service with the State of Delaware, Ogden worked as a special assistant to President Obama, advising the President and senior leadership on Presidential appointments to the Departments of Energy, Transportation, and Interior, as well as in several independent agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Council on Environmental Quality, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Ogden served for nine years as a legislative assistant to then-Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. focusing on energy, the environment, transportation, and agriculture. Earlier in her career, she was general counsel and director of development for a non-profit corporation. Ogden earned her Juris Doctor Degree from Syracuse University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University.

Kristin Barnekov-Short received her master’s degree in public administration, specializing in environmental policy, from the University of Delaware, College of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. She is an administrative professional with more than 23 years of experience in the areas of management and operations of a Delaware-based business.

Barnekov-Short also worked as a legislative aide to the Delaware State Senate, a management analyst for DNREC, and a research assistant to the Delaware Public Administration Institute. She will be responsible for the coordinating daily operations for the Office of the Secretary, working closely with Division directors and outside stakeholders.

Vol. 47, No. 259

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Secretary of Finance Rick Geisenberger is pleased to announce the appointment of Jane L. Cole, CPA, as the new Director of Delaware’s Division of Accounting. The appointment became effective Monday, May 15th.

Ms. Cole most recently served as the State’s Manager of Financial Reporting and Internal Control, overseeing the creation of Delaware’s award-winning Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), which ensures the completeness and accuracy of work submitted to the State’s auditors. She was also responsible for implementation of all new Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements; ensuring the State’s financial reporting adheres to the highest-quality standards. Her responsibilities included overseeing the staff responsible for reviewing the internal control policies for all State organizations.

The Division of Accounting provides financial and technical accounting services and support to state organizations, establishes the State’s internal control structure, and promotes consistent, reliable, and transparent financial information to the public. “Jane is an accomplished financial professional and manager, and she possesses a wealth of expertise in governmental accounting standards and systems,” said Secretary Geisenberger. “I am pleased that she will be overseeing the very capable staff of our Accounting Division and working with agencies throughout State government to boost efficiency, internal controls, and transparency in our accounting and management of revenues and expenditures.”

Before joining State government in 2013, Ms. Cole had 20 years of private sector experience in public accounting and financial management – most recently as Senior Manager of Accounting and Audit at Herbein + Company, Inc., a leading regional CPA firm headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. There she oversaw audits for scores of governmental and non-profit organizations, as well as 990 tax compliance for the firm’s tax-exempt clientele. Her responsibilities included supervision and training of audit staff and clients in governmental accounting standards, regulations, and compliance matters.

Ms. Cole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work, an Accounting Certificate, and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1999. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Government Accountants, and the Government Financial Officers Association. From 2004 to 2013, she served as a member and then Chair of the Not-for-Profit Committee of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.