Secretary of State Announces Appointment of Director of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs

Secretary of State Jeff Bullock on Monday announced that Suzanne Savery will lead the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs as its next director after Tim Slavin’s departure on June 30, 2022. Ms. Savery most recently served as the deputy director of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs and will assume the new role on July 1, 2022.

“Suzanne’s breadth of experience and knowledge uniquely positions her to lead the agency with a significant role in preserving and showcasing Delaware’s heritage,” said Secretary Bullock. “Our future depends so much on understanding and preserving our history—efforts that have been accomplished time again under Tim’s 17-year leadership. I’m confident that Suzanne’s talents will help push the Division into its next phase and I appreciate her commitment to taking this role.”

The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, a division of the Delaware Department of State, enhances Delaware’s quality of life by preserving the state’s unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality, and providing educational programs and assistance to the public on Delaware history. The division’s diverse array of services includes the operation of five museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the State’s archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center, and management of historic properties across the state.

“I am proud and excited to step into this new role leading the division and staff as we work together to preserve and share Delaware’s history,” said Suzanne Savery. “I am also looking forward to working with staff and partners to explore opportunities to expand the stories of Delaware’s complicated history at our state museums and historic sites, in our collections, and documented through the work of the State Historic Preservation Office. From programs to capital projects, I am looking forward to HCA’s next chapter.”

Savery has served as the deputy director of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs since 2012, being involved in all aspects of the division from fiscal to capital and grounds, to collections and museum programming. With over 35 years of experience in the museum and preservation field, Savery has held several positions in various institutions including the Valentine Museum in Richmond, Virginia; the Petersburg Museum in Petersburg, Virginia; and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Savery holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Delaware and an M.A. in Museum Studies from the University of Washington. She is also an alumnus of the Museum Management Institute, a program run by the American Federation of Arts and the J. Paul Gerry Trust designed to enhance the leadership of experienced museum professionals.


Secretary of State Bullock Sends Diwali Greetings to All Delawareans

This year between November 2nd through 6th, the Delaware Department of State joins Indian Delawareans in celebrating Diwali, the annual festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. Diwali, which is celebrated over the course of five days, symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.”

“As the world recovers from the pandemic, Diwali is a welcome reminder of the power that all of us have to bring light to our communities,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “To all our Indian neighbors, especially our sister state of Gujarat, may joy and gaiety surround you and your families forever. Happy Diwali!”

The Delaware Commission on Indian Heritage and Culture, a commission which is a part of the Delaware Department of State, consists of nine members whose mission is to foster effective relationships between the Indian American community and the larger community across the State of Delaware.

“May this Diwali be the harbinger of joy, prosperity, and positivity. As this holy occasion fills the air with love and laughter, I’m hoping this festival of lights and beauty brings your way bright sparks of contentment that stay with you through the days and years ahead,” said Palash Gupta, Chairman of the Delaware Commission on Indian Heritage and Culture. “I am very much honored by Secretary Bullock’s support to all Delaware Indian Americans, and the Commission looks forward to continuing working with him and his office on behalf of all Indian Americans.”

To learn more about the Indian Commission on Heritage and Culture, click here.


STEP Grant Funds Support Small Business Exports

DOVER – For the fifth year in a row, the Delaware Department of State has received a State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA.) This year’s award totals $268,096 and will be used to support the state’s efforts to assist small Delaware companies in entering and developing markets overseas.

The program’s objectives are to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that export, increasing sales and ultimately generating jobs in Delaware. The STEP Grant program makes matching-fund awards to states to assist small businesses in the international marketplace. Delaware will match the SBA grant with $89,365, bringing the total available for export efforts to $357,461.

To date, 96 Delaware small businesses have participated in the program. As a result, these small businesses report $48 million in new export sales, and project over $180 million in additional export sales in the next two years. In addition, 27 Delaware jobs have been created.

“The STEP Grant funds from the SBA have proven instrumental to Delaware entrepreneurs in yielding new international business. This program is a direct source of new growth for our state’s economy,” said Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock.

As with previous STEP grants, a significant portion of the grant will be used to directly reimburse small- and medium-sized companies for eligible, pre-approved export expenses such as international travel, trade show activities, translation of international marketing materials, and overseas interpreters. Without STEP grant funds, the costs of these services would otherwise prohibit many Delaware small businesses from entering certain international markets.

Export Delaware, the state’s official export resource for small businesses, will use the grant to finance export-related marketing activities. Delaware small businesses that are interested in applying may learn more about the program at export.delaware.gov.

“We are thrilled to continue to support Delaware’s small businesses as they begin to export and grow through increased international sales. We expect to build upon the success of this tremendous SBA program in 2020 and the years to come,” said Beth Pomper, head of Export Delaware.

This year, Export Delaware is offering business trips to Israel, France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Chile, Peru, and the Philippines. These trade missions are designed specifically for Delaware small businesses and provide the opportunity for their teams to meet one-on-one with potential customers and distributors overseas.

Delaware’s international trade representatives work with Export Delaware to organize meetings with targeted customers tailored to each participant’s needs. Delaware’s trade representatives abroad have wide networks in their countries, enabling them to secure meetings with high-level decision makers. Export Delaware staff accompany Delaware businesses in their meetings to help facilitate discussion and work toward deals.

Delaware small businesses that have joined Export Delaware trips in the past have successfully identified new distributors and partners. Export Delaware has helped small businesses achieve significant growth. Recent highlights include:

● $4.2 million purchase order as a result of a grant-funded business trip to the UK
● $3.5 million in sales as result of a trip to Germany
● $3.5 million in sales as a result of trips to Canada and Mexico

To learn more about the STEP Grant and how to apply, visit export.delaware.gov or contact Beth Pomper at beth.pomper@delaware.gov


Secretary of State Announces Massage Therapy License Suspension

DOVER – Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has suspended the Delaware massage therapy license of Christopher D. Dorman in light of allegations of sexual assault made by several female clients.

In making this determination, Secretary Bullock considered a complaint filed by the Department of Justice, which alleged that Mr. Dorman failed to properly cover female clients during massage sessions and touched their breasts and genitals on several occasions while employed at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Wilmington and Massage Envy in Newark. The complaint further alleged that Mr. Dorman “displayed a pattern of escalating behavior towards female clients that puts them at risk” and referenced Mr. Dorman’s arrest by Wilmington Police on charges of unlawful sexual contact.

The order suspending Mr. Dorman’s license was signed by the secretary on Nov. 28 with the concurrence of the president of the Board of Massage and Bodywork.

Delaware Code Title 24 enables a temporary suspension pending a hearing to be issued upon the written order of the Secretary of State, if the activity of the licensee presents a clear and immediate danger to public health, safety or welfare.

The suspension of Mr. Dorman will remain in effect for a period of 60 days, during which time disciplinary hearings will be held or the final disposition for this individual will take place. As the result of a hearing, the Board of Massage and Bodywork has the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions up to and including revocation of a practitioner’s license.

The licensure status of Mr. Dorman has been updated on the Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service. Documentation related to this suspension also may be viewed at this site.


Secretary of State Announces Chemical Dependency Counselor License Suspension

DOVER – Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has suspended the Delaware chemical dependency counseling license of Sachin Karnik in light of recent criminal charges filed against him.

In making this determination, Secretary Bullock considered a complaint filed by the Department of Justice, which referenced Mr. Karnik’s recent arrest for felony health care fraud, felony theft, and falsifying business records. The complaint further alleges that Mr. Karnik misrepresented his credentials, falsified his licensing application and disregarded ethical standards.

A separate license held by Mr. Karnik to practice clinical social work was suspended on March 1 by the Board of Clinical Social Work Examiners, following a disciplinary hearing. The board concluded that Mr. Karnik had violated professional standards while caring for a vulnerable patient.

The order suspending Mr. Karnik’s chemical dependency counseling license was signed by the secretary June 5 with the concurrence of the president of the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.

Delaware Code Title 24 enables a temporary suspension pending a hearing to be issued upon the written order of the Secretary of State, if the activity of the licensee presents a clear and immediate danger to public health, safety or welfare.

The suspension of Mr. Karnik will remain in effect for a period of 60 days, during which time disciplinary hearings will be held or the final disposition for this individual will take place. As the result of a hearing, the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals has the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions up to and including revocation of a practitioner’s license or certification.

The licensure status of Mr. Karnik has been updated on the Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service. Documentation related to this suspension, as well as documentation of previous disciplinary actions against Mr. Karnik, also may be viewed at this site.

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