Delaware Deep Dive

Advocacy doesn’t always begin with politics or lobbying. Often, it starts with relationships, participation, and business leaders simply sharing their real-world experiences. As Small Business Month comes to a close, Kelly sits down with Joe Giordano of Whisman Giordano & Associates, Jake Ruddy of PCS, and Evan R. Park of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce to discuss why it’s important for...

As energy demand accelerates and grid constraints tighten, conversations around reliability, capacity, and affordability are becoming increasingly tied to Delaware’s economic future. In this episode, Kelly sits down with Brian Jordan of Delmarva Power, Andrew Cottone of Aternium, and Joe Kerecman of Calpine to discuss how energy availability is shaping business growth, site selection, infrastructu...

​ Delaware has no shortage of ideas when it comes to strengthening our economy, but turning those ideas into real solutions can be a challenge. At a time when the state stands at a crossroads, the biggest risk isn’t a lack of vision — it’s the status quo. In this episode, Kelly sits down with Mark Hutton, head of Business Banking and Delaware regional president of M&T Bank and a founding trust...

ILC Dover has been part of Delaware’s manufacturing story for decades, supporting missions that reach far beyond the First State. In this minisode, Rob Reed, president of aerospace and defense solutions at ILC Dover, shares the company’s Delaware roots, its work supporting aerospace and defense missions, and how the company is building a skilled workforce while strengthening ties to veterans, mili...

Canada is Delaware’s top export market, making the economic relationship between the First State and our northern neighbor deeper than many people realize. From chemicals to agriculture and financial services, Delaware businesses rely on Canada as a major destination for their goods and services, while Canadian companies operate across the state, supporting jobs and strengthening key supply chains...

This episode is sponsored by Delmarva Power. Energy costs have been top of mind for businesses and households alike, as demand grows and the energy landscape continues to evolve. In this minisode, Jaclyn Cantler, senior vice president of government, regulatory and external affairs at Pepco Holdings (Delmarva Power), discusses how the company is working to ensure reliability and affordability while...

Preventive care isn’t just a health benefit—it’s a business strategy. Access to preventive care can shape the health of a workforce and the strength of a business. Services like annual checkups, screenings, immunizations, and mental health support help employees stay healthy and catch issues early, before they become more serious and costly. In this episode, Kelly sits down with Kevin Ussery from...

The playing field and the boardroom may seem worlds apart, yet the lessons learned through sports often prove invaluable in the professional world. From preparation to discipline, teamwork, and dealing with pressure and adversity, athletic experiences can shape leaders in powerful ways. In this episode, Tamara Stoner of Delaware State University and Ted Lauzen of Grey Fox Wealth reflect on how the...

Child care isn’t just a family concern. It’s a business issue. Behind every workforce statistic are real families making tough choices about work, career growth, and child care. In Delaware and across the country, the cost, availability, and quality of child care directly impact whether parents can work, take promotions, or stay in the labor force at all. In this episode, Kelly is joined by Madele...

Tariffs are one of the hottest topics in business right now—shifting from week to week, sparking debate, and creating uncertainty for companies across the globe. In this episode, Kelly is joined by Carla Stone, president of World Trade Center Delaware, and David Mathe, director of Export Delaware, to explain what tariffs are, why they matter, and what resources Delaware companies can utilize to na...

Delaware isn’t alone in navigating a period of rapid transformation. Political, geopolitical, technological, environmental, and demographic changes are reshaping how consumers spend, businesses operate, and leaders plan for the future. In this episode, Kelly is joined by Rodger Levenson of WSFS Bank and Chip Rossi, recently retired from Bank of America, to discuss how these shifts are impacting De...

Delaware has a new governor—and with new leadership comes new ideas. Since taking office in January 2025, Governor Matt Meyer has made small business and entrepreneur support a key pillar of his economic development strategy. In this special episode of Delaware Deep Dive , Governor Meyer joins Kelly to discuss his administration’s approach to strengthening Delaware’s small business landscape. He s...

Delaware is punching above its weight when it comes to innovation. Ranking 8th overall—and 1st for innovation environment—on WalletHub’s 2025 Most Innovative States list, the First State continues to attract forward-thinking entrepreneurs. In this episode, Kelly is joined by Bill Provine of The Innovation Space and Noah Olson from the Delaware Prosperity Partnership to explore why Delaware’s colla...

This episode is sponsored by Cover & Rossiter. Running a business—regardless of its size—demands strategic acumen, dedication, and adaptability. While both share the foundation of serving a mission and objectives like profitability and growth, the challenges and nuances between managing a large enterprise and a small business diverge significantly. In this episode, Kelly sat down with two Dela...

Delaware is home to hundreds of manufacturers who employ more than 28,000 Delawareans and make innovative products with local and global impacts. As we witness the reshoring movement, there is an opportunity not just for the U.S. but for Delaware to solidify its position as a leader in the manufacturing economy. In this episode, Brian Brooks from Hologic and Dave McGonigle from Avkin are at the ta...

NASA research shows that reducing global emissions would prevent about 1.4 million hospitalizations and emergency room visits, 300 million lost workdays, and 440 million tons of crop losses in the U.S. alone. Addressing this global crisis is a priority to customers, investors, and employees alike. Andy Wirth of AstraZeneca and Drew Getty from Perdue Farms sat at the table to discuss why being an e...

This episode is sponsored by Delmarva Power. After more than three decades at the company, Phil Vavala brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of region president at Delmarva Power. A born and raised Delawarean, Phil shares his career journey - from intern to president - top priorities for the company, and Delmarva Power’s approach to workforce transitions and cleaner energy.

This episode is sponsored by the Christiana Mall. It’s no secret that businesses are struggling for talent. Once you find those all-star employees, it becomes paramount to retain them. And understanding the concept of career progression and its importance to boosting employee engagement, productivity, and retention can help. In this episode, Keisha Morris of Bayhealth and Michelle Ray of Blackwell...

This episode is sponsored by the Delaware Department of Labor. Chris Counihan, director of the Division of Paid Leave at the Delaware Department of Labor, joins Kelly to delve into the details of the new Delaware Paid Leave program, which takes effect in 2026.  For more information on Delaware Paid Leave, visit  DE.gov/paidleave . Questions can be emailed to PFML@delaware.gov or directed to the 24...

It’s not news that the news is in trouble. Your morning paper is thinner than it used to be. Important elections sneak up on you. You hear rumors of something that happened down the street or around the corner, and the lack of news coverage leaves you wondering what to believe. In this season 4 premiere , Ivan Thomas of DETV and Allison Levine of the Local Journalism Initiative will dive into the...

This episode is sponsored by the Delaware River and Bay Authority. Delaware is filled with innovative workforce development programs that take people from where they are to where they want to go. In this episode, we sit down Cathy Kanefsky of the Food Bank of Delaware and Quentin Liningham of Walmart, both of whom represent organizations that provide people with the needed skills to step into a su...

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States – and there are several on the list from Delaware! The list is based on revenue growth rate and job creation. We sat down with Mac Macleod from Carvertise and Chris Burkhard from Placers, both companies on the Inc. 5000 list, to discuss entrepreneurship and explore how these CEOs scaled their business, fost...

It’s the newest hot-button topic in the business world: artificial intelligence. Many of us have been using it in the workplace for years without realizing it, but with the rise of programs like Chat GPT and Google AI, the topic has risen to the forefront of conversation. In this episode, Bernardo Tiburcio of DuPont and Patrick Callahan of LabWare will explore the integration of AI in the business...

In Delaware, the phrase "Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything" has become all too familiar in the housing industry. Fluctuating interest rates, material costs, and inventory have made housing a hot topic of discussion in the First State. The demand for various types of housing—affordable, workforce, senior, and seasonal—is great to support the needs of Delawareans. Sitting down...

Delaware is embracing its moment in the spotlight. With a growing population, a surge in businesses choosing the state for growth and relocation, a flourishing culinary scene, a thriving commercial airline, and a myriad of upcoming events, Delaware is fast becoming a premier destination to live, work, and play. Join us as Jen Boes from the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Ste...