People on the Move: Dec. 1

December 1, 2023 20

People on the Move is a rundown of recent hirings, promotions, appointments and other notable movements by professionals in the state. If you’re interested in submitting an entry, please contact news@delawarebusinesstimes.com.

New Castle County has appointed Kristie Arlotta the sustainability coordinator to lead the Pathway to Sustainability initiative. This position is responsible for overseeing that land use, sewer, and community services practices are climate resilient.

“We’re excited to have Kristie join our team to ensure New Castle County government sustainability remains top of mind,” County Executive Matt Meyer said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to using her background of strong environmental engagement to make our county a healthier place to live, work and raise a family.”

Arlotta was born and raised in Yonkers, New York. She came to Delaware for school and graduated from the University of Delaware with an honors degree in environmental science, with minors in public policy and geography. During her time at UD, she was actively involved in helping UD prepare a new sustainability plan. She also formed the Student Sustainability Alliance, to unite students across colleges to advocate for sustainability on campus, including a new Office of Sustainability, which was created last year. Arlotta has had many different work experiences, including the Newark Partnership’s Sustainability Initiative, Delaware State Parks, and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

Carvertise, a rideshare advertising company, named Mike Wall the senior growth advisor. In this role, Wall will work closely with CEO Mac Macleod and VP of Sales Jim Fischer to uncover and implement strategies to accelerate sales.

Mike Wall | PHOTO COURTESY OF CARVERTISE

“Over a very short period of time, the Carvertise team has become the nation’s largest player in the rideshare advertising space,” Macleod said. “With Mike joining the strategy and decision-making of our sales leadership team, we are putting the pedal to the metal to accelerate Carvertise’s growth, with the goal of tripling Carvertise’s size over the next three years. Getting there requires big new thinking, and Mike brings that, plus execution, to the table.”

Wall served for 27 years in several senior roles at Comcast, including sales leadership, inventory strategy, and operations. He has been a featured speaker at industry conventions and in publications as a strategic thought leader. “I am very impressed with the relentless focus Carvertise places on delivering the best possible experience every day to their customers, business partners, and employees,” Wall said. “This company is committed to being the industry leader, and I look forward to contributing however I can to help them see that vision realized.”

Landis Rath & Cobb LLP, a Wilmington-based law firm, announced the addition of Jennifer L. Cree and Matthew R. Pierce to the firm’s partnership.

“Jen and Matt have proven themselves to be exceptional practitioners who have earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike,” Co-founding Partner Adam Landis said. “The recognition they have received in the legal community is a testament to the dedication they bring to the firm and the profession. We are excited to have them join the LRC partnership.”

Jennifer Cree | PHOTO COURTESY OF LRC

Cree concentrates her practice in the areas of corporate, commercial and bankruptcy litigation. She was recently selected for the American Bar Association’s Business Law Fellows Program Class for 2023-2025. The highly selective program, which chooses 12 attorneys annually, seeks to develop diverse leaders for the ABA’s Business Law Section. Previously, she served in several leadership roles within the ABA Young Lawyers Division. Cree was recognized in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2022-2024 editions (Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Corporate Law; Litigation – Bankruptcy), and the Super Lawyers’ Rising Star list (2022-2024).

A 2013 graduate of the Widener University Delaware Law School, Cree earned her B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 2007. She is admitted to the practice of law in Delaware.

Matthew Pierce | PHOTO COURTESY OF LRC

Pierce concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate bankruptcy and restructuring and bankruptcy litigation. He has broad bankruptcy and restructuring experience, including representing debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, lenders, committees, asset purchasers, and other parties in interest in all aspects of bankruptcy proceedings. In 2022, he was selected to participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ) annual Next Generation Program. Pierce has been recognized in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2024 edition (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Delaware), and the Super Lawyers’ Rising Star list (2021-2023).

A 2013 graduate of the Widener University Delaware Law School, Pierce earned his B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College in 2009. He is admitted to the practice of law in Delaware.

Beebe Medical Group has added primary care physician Darlene Haupt, DO, to its medical staff.

Dr. Darlene Haupt | PHOTO COURTESY OF BEEBE

Dr. Haupt will provide primary care services for children and adults at Beebe Primary Care Selbyville, conveniently located at “Bayside Corner” at the intersections of Routes 54 and 20. Beebe will open this new location in early December. A separate announcement will be sent out about the practice’s opening celebration.

Dr. Haupt focuses on wellness and preventive healthcare, as well as comprehensive care for patients with a wide range of acute and chronic health issues. She is especially interested in women’s health. Prior to joining Beebe, Dr. Haupt served as a family practice attending physician at Geisinger Medical Center. There, in addition to her clinical responsibilities, she supervised a team of physician assistants and was actively involved in training activities with medical students as a clinical assistant professor of family medicine.

“It is exciting to relocate to Sussex County after spending the past 25 years getting to know the area, as a vacationer. I am comfortable and happy here,” Dr. Haupt said. “I love what I do and feel honored to take care of patients and help them reach their health goals.”

Dr. Haupt is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she graduated with academic honors. She went on to pursue a rotating osteopathic internship at Geisinger Medical Center, where she remained to complete her family medicine residency training. Dr. Haupt is board certified in family practice and is a member of both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association.

Bayhealth announced the addition of Internal Medicine Physician Thomas F. Kelly, MD, MPH, BSN, who previously served as a physician and medical director with the State of Delaware and founded and operated a private practice in Sussex County to the team at Bayhealth Total Care in Milton.

Thomas Kelly | PHOTO COURTESY OF BAYHEALTH

“Dr. Kelly is a highly experienced physician dedicated to his patients’ needs and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our staff,” Bayhealth Vice President, Physician Services and Clinical Integration Lawrence Ward, MD, MPH, FACP, said. “By having Dr. Kelly and his colleagues caring for our community members through our new practices at Bayhealth Total Care, we’re expanding access to excellent primary care and specialty expertise in Sussex County.”

Before joining Bayhealth, Dr. Kelly was the sole practitioner at Shore Community Medical in Rehoboth Beach which he co-founded with his business and life partner Ahmed Elmanan in 2011. Dr. Kelly provided primary care to thousands of patients in southern Delaware through this private practice that they operated for close to twelve years.

Dr. Kelly previously served the State of Delaware for close to ten years in various leadership roles. He was the acting medical director, as well as chief physician and director of health care services for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. He was the primary care internist and staff physician at the Stockley Center in Georgetown. During his employment with the state, he founded Healthy Delawareans with Disabilities, an initiative focused on partnerships with local organizations to enhance healthcare services and access that would foster better health in community members with disabilities and prevent secondary conditions. Dr. Kelly is also a former medical director at Deer’s Head Hospital Center in Salisbury, Maryland, operated by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Dr. Kelly began his extensive healthcare career as both a medic, serving active duty with the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and as a nurse, having graduated from Columbia University School of Nursing in Manhattan, New York. He worked as a public health nurse, nursing clinical coordinator and health educator in hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities throughout New York City.

While working as a nurse, he earned a Master of Public Health degree in Community Health Education, from Hunter College in Manhattan, followed by his Doctor of Medicine degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. Upon completion of his residency at Brown University School of Medicine in Providence, Rhode Island, Dr. Kelly earned his board certification in internal medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore announced the addition of officers elected to the 2024 board of directors, including: Penny Saridakis as chair, Pierre Anderson as vice chair, Michael J. Tretina as treasurer, and Jen Mathews as secretary.

Saridakis has devoted her time to healthcare, education and the arts. Along with the Easterseals board, she has chaired its Governance Committee and served on the Development and Strategic Direction Committees. Saridakis has served on the Easterseals board since 2019.

Currently Anderson serves as the senior vice president & chief information officer of Artesian Resources Corporation & Subsidiaries, responsible for all organization technology functions. He has served on the board since 2017.

Tretina is the senior vice president and CFO at Bayhealth, Inc. and Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover and has served on the board since 2019.

Mathews is a vice president of Technology for CSC. She has served on the board since 2019.

Sallie Mae announced the appointments of Janaki Akella, Christopher T. Leech, and Shannon Watkins to its board of directors.

Akella adds significant experience in technology and growth strategy to the Board. She held various positions of increasing responsibility at Google, including head of digital transformation, until March 2023. Prior to Google, Akella worked at McKinsey & Company serving as a partner advising clients across multiple industries on information technology and data strategy matters. Akella also currently serves on the board of directors of Southern Company. She earned her bachelor’s degree in engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, India, a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Boston University, and a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Leech joins the Board with decades of experience in strategy, operational effectiveness, and risk management. He worked at McKinsey & Company from 1990 through August 2023, most recently serving as a senior partner. Mr. Leech held various leadership positions and advised financial services clients regarding strategy and financial, regulatory, and operational risk management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s in industrial administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

Watkins joins the board with more than 20 years of experience in marketing and brand growth strategy across multiple industries. She currently serves as the global chief marketing officer for the Jordan Brand at Nike, Inc. Watkins previously served as chief brand and marketing officer for Aflac and held various roles at The Coca-Cola Company. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Fisk University and an MBA from Indiana University.

Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation announced the addition Cathy Pulos and James D. Taylor Jr. to the board of directors.

Pulos is the executive vice president and chief operations officer at Wawa, Inc. In her current role, Pulos oversees the operational activities essential for the successful management of over 1,000 stores across six states.

Pulos serves on the board of trustees for Widener University, where she actively contributes to the institution’s strategic direction. Furthermore, she serves on the board of directors for Burris Logistics and the Wawa Associates in Need Fund, reflecting her deep-seated values centered around people, customer satisfaction, and adaptability to change. Pulos’ interest in joining PDFF’s board stems from her dedication to ethical leadership and entrepreneurship.

Taylor Jr. is the managing partner of Saul Ewing’s Wilmington Office. He is a cum laude graduate of Villanova University School of Law, and as a trial lawyer, has extensive experience in complex litigation in federal and state courts. He is recognized for his leading labor and employment work in Delaware, as ranked by Chambers USA since 2011. His practice regularly counsels employers on matters including gender and age discrimination, disability and accessibility, wrongful termination and defamation in employment.

Taylor serves on the Board of Governors for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Additional accolades include being named to The Best Lawyers in America list, Commercial Litigation (2024); Business Today’s Top 10 Most Influential Labor & Employment Lawyers in Delaware list (2023); a “Labor and Employment Star” for the Northeast by Benchmark Litigation’s Labor & Employment guide (2023); The Best Lawyers in America list, Corporate Law (2023 to present); a “Local Litigation Star” in Delaware by Benchmark Litigation (2022 to present); and one of the “Top Attorneys” List by Delaware Today (2021).

“Cathy and Jim both bring an invaluable wealth of knowledge, extensive experience, and unwavering dedication to the business community, as well as a commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, which aligns perfectly with our mission to empower visionaries and foster transformative ideas,” Executive Director Stephanie Johnnie said.