New Strategic Plan Presented to Division Staff at End-of-the-year Success Event
During an end-of-the-year success event for Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs staff, volunteers and partners that was held on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, division director Tim Slavin and members of the strategic-planning committee gave an overview of the division’s new strategic plan for fiscal years 2015 to 2019. The plan will be released to the public in January 2014.
During the presentation, committee members discussed the five new goals that were developed during the planning process—improving access, innovative learning, engaging audiences, enhancing preservation and achieving excellence. At the conclusion of the presentation, division staff members were invited to sign a Pledge of Excellence that stated:
“The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs pledges that, in fulfillment of our educational mission, we will strive to operate according to national standards and best practices to the best of our abilities and in accordance with our resources.”
After the strategic plan overview, Slavin and Delaware Secretary of State Jeffrey W. Bullock presented service awards to staff and volunteers; and recognized division partners, friends and new staff members and volunteers who had joined the division in the past year.
Staff service-awards were presented to Susan Emory for 30+ years of service; Kay Powell for 25+ years; Jeanne DeLacy, Dottie Harper and Lynn Riley for 20+ years; Carol Cutbill, Jackie Collins and Bridget Warner for 15+years; Joan Foster, Craig Lukezic, Eleanor Matthews, Chris Merrill, Thomas Pulmano, Sarah Shorey and Robert Vander Decker for 10+ years; and Richard Bazelow, Barbara Carrow, Jennifer Dunham, Dennis Fisher, Gavin Malone, Sharyn Murray, Alan Roth, Martha Wagner and Thomas Welch for 5+ years.
Volunteer service-awards were presented to David Brown, Howard Fulcher and Arnold Leftwich for 400+ hours of service; James Schilling and Charolenne Shehorn for 300+ hours; and David Perlmutter for 200+ hours.
Division partners and friends who were recognized were Deloris Hayes Arrington of the Delaware Department of State; Danielle Campagnini and Sarah Zimmerman of the First State Heritage Park; Joe Caputo and Curt Stickel, former historic-site interpreters for the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs; Dennis Groom of the Office of Management and Budget; Dave Matsen of the Middletown Historical Society; Russ Smith of the First State National Monument and Phil Proud who farms the agricultural lands at Buena Vista.
New employees who were recognized were Ryan Cardwell, Jody Dengler, Anthony Doughten, Melissa Fitzgerald, Kevin Garner, Courtney Lynahan, Eleanor Siyon, Larry Williams and Stacye Williamson. New volunteers who were recognized were Joanne Anzalone, Joyce Bordley, Gilda Bynum, Roshonna Cannon, Jennifer Child, Rachel Despins, Pat Dura, Mike Emmons, Tara Finney, Keisha Gonzalez, Brian Hankin, Laura Herbin, Ese Jessa, Janet Lockyer, Betsy Martino, Catherine Maye, Krystal McGinnis, Candice Myruski, Meyartha Perry, Shawn Sheppard and Larry Watkins.