People on the Move

Mayor John Carney announced Matthew Ford will join the City of Wilmington as the director of communications. An experienced communication and marketing professional with deep roots in Wilmington, Ford brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role. He will be responsible for sharing important updates and information with Wilmington’s residents, visitors, and business owners.

“Matt brings a tremendous amount of knowledge, and we are excited to welcome him to our team,” Mayor John Carney said. “Wilmington has a lot of momentum right now – and even more on the horizon. We’ve made a commitment to keeping our residents informed, and Matt will be instrumental in helping us take that commitment to the next level.”

Ford joins the City of Wilmington after serving as corporate communications manager at Navient. He also worked for DuPont as a communications consultant, and AAA, where he helped to sharpen the organization’s messaging and strengthen its marketing strategies. His work has earned him industry accolades, including a regional Emmy for Evening Newscast and Morning Newscast, an Associated Press Award for Outstanding Newscast, and eight Delaware Press Association awards.

“As someone who has spent my entire life in the City of Wilmington, I’m excited to step into this role and help share the story of our city’s progress, people, and promise,” Ford said. “Mayor Carney’s decades of leadership and commitment to public service have helped shape Delaware for the better, and I’m proud to support his administration’s efforts to build a more vibrant, inclusive, and connected Wilmington.”

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation named Abhijit (“Abhi”) Bhatwadekar as vice president and chief information officer (CIO).

In his new role, Bhatwadekar will lead Chesapeake Utilities’ technology strategy and operations, with responsibility for IT infrastructure, enterprise applications, cybersecurity, data management and vendor partnerships. As CIO, he will play a critical role in aligning technology initiatives with business objectives, supporting the Company’s growth strategy and driving continued digital transformation across the organization.

“Abhi brings deep experience in leading enterprise wide technology initiatives and delivering transformative business solutions,” Jeff Householder, chair of the board, president and CEO of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, said. “His strategic mindset, leadership capabilities and record of operational excellence will be instrumental as we continue to advance our business transformation goals through innovation and enhanced technology capabilities.”

Bhatwadekar joins Chesapeake Utilities from PPL Corporation, where he served as vice president of data analytics and customer experience, leading critical initiatives focused on improving customer service and operational performance through data-driven strategies.

His previous leadership roles include vice president of data and analytics for the benefits services division at Gallagher and senior technology positions at Nielsen, where he served as vice president for global data platforms and North America technology. Throughout his career, Bhatwadekar has led global teams, delivered large-scale technology programs, launched several global analytics platforms and leveraged AI and automation to drive operational savings.

At Chesapeake Utilities, Bhatwadekar will serve on the Company’s senior leadership team and be a key advisor to the Board on major technology initiatives and cybersecurity risk management. He will guide the execution of the Company’s IT roadmap, oversee the IT project portfolio and budget and implement best practices and policies to support secure, efficient and innovative service delivery.

Palmer Gosnell Hospitality, owners of Hampton Inn Rehoboth Beach, announced the appointment of Stephanie Brough as the company’s new director of sales. With over 15 years of distinguished experience in hotel sales, group account management, and business development, Brough brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven record of success to the Palmer Gosnell team.

Brough’s career spans multiple properties and markets, where she has consistently negotiated high-value contracts, exceeded ambitious sales quotas, and built lasting relationships with clients. Most recently, she served as Hotel Area Sales Manager for Bluewater Development, skillfully leading sales strategies across four hotels in Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. Previously, Brough held key sales roles at Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City and Princess Bayside Hotel, where she managed group bookings, coordinated high-profile events, and worked collaboratively with operations and marketing teams to achieve outstanding results.

“We are delighted to welcome Stephanie to our leadership team,” Fred Thompson, general manager at Palmer Gosnell Hospitality, said. “Her extensive experience, passion for hospitality, and commitment to client satisfaction align perfectly with our company’s values and vision for growth.

Fulton Bank named Andy Fiol the chief banking officer and JoBeth Mauriello as head of consumer & business banking, replacing Fiol in his current position.

“One of our strategic priorities is to accelerate our organic growth, and I can think of no one better to lead that charge as our Chief Banking Officer than Andy,” Chairman and CEO Curt Myers said. “Similarly, I am confident that JoBeth will further develop the Consumer & Business Banking organization and deliver the next level of service and operational excellence our customers want and expect.”

Fiol has served as head of consumer & business banking since January 2023. He joined the bank as director of consumer & small business channel, segment and product in June 2018. Prior to joining the bank, he served as an executive in various roles at both Capital One and Bank of America. He has more than 20 years of experience in financial services.

Mauriello has served as head of sales and transformation initiatives since September 2024. Prior to that she served as Co-Market President in Philadelphia and South Jersey. She joined the bank as a Regional Sales and Marketing Manager in 2007. Prior to joining the bank, she served in various Consumer bank leadership roles at Bank of America. She has more than 40 years of experience in financial services.

Nicholas Moriello, the former President of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware, has joined Quintuple Aim as an advisor.

Moriello brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career in the health insurance industry. Under his leadership, Highmark Delaware achieved significant milestones, including the implementation of a hybrid ACA marketplace model and the establishment of a reinsurance pool that stabilized the individual market and reduced premiums for Delawareans.

Beyond his professional achievements, Moriello is known for his dedication to community engagement. He has served on several boards, including the Wilmington Alliance, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, and the Delaware Health Care Commission.

Quintuple Aim will leverage Moriello’s unique insights into commercial insurance and digital health innovation to further our mission of transforming healthcare delivery and financing.

Girls Inc. of Delaware named Wenona Sutton its new executive director. Sutton brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public relations, and community development.

Sutton joins Girls Inc. with a strong track record of building transformative programs and partnerships that center equity, youth voice, and long-term impact. She most recently served as director of marketing and communications for The WRK Group, where she led inclusive campaigns, increased engagement, and helped bring statewide attention to underserved communities. She is also the founder of the Chocolate Ball Delaware, a formal event created to uplift Black and Brown families while cultivating confidence, connection, and joy among youth.

“Girls Inc. represents everything I believe in,” Sutton said. “I want girls across Delaware to see themselves as leaders, innovators, and change agents. My job is to help open every door possible so they can step fully into their power and purpose.”

As executive director, Sutton is focused on building stability, visibility, and access. Her leadership will prioritize expanding the Project Accelerate initiative, strengthening STEAM and literacy-based programming, and rebuilding community trust through transparent partnerships and statewide outreach.

The Delaware Center for Justice (DCJ) announced the appointment of Alonna Berry as its new executive director. A Delaware native and accomplished leader in policy, education, and nonprofit management, Berry brings over 15 years of experience advancing equity and systems change.

Berry previously served as senior director at Social Contract, where she led strategic initiatives for mission-driven organizations. She also held leadership roles in state government under Governor John Carney, including director of community and family services and senior policy advisor for Health, Equity, and Education. Berry is the founder and board chair of The Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, Delaware’s newest service-learning charter school focused on student leadership and educational equity.

“DCJ has been a cornerstone of justice advocacy in Delaware for more than a century,” Berry said. “I’m honored to lead this next chapter, working alongside our partners, staff, and community members to advance meaningful, people-centered reform.”

The Committee of 100 recently named Deirdre Smith, the director of planning at Artesian Water, as the president of the executive board. She will be accompanied by newly appointed immediate past president Greg Ellis of Harvey Hanna & Associates, Inc., and first vice president Paula Swain of Incyte. In addition, Brent Schrader of the University of Delaware has been named third vice president, Alex Meitzler, a traffic planner and designer, will serve as secretary, and Kathleen Corcoran of Wheeler, Wolfenden & Dwares, P.A., will serve as treasurer.

Barnes & Thornburg announced the addition of partner Elizabeth S. Fenton to the firm’s Wilmington office.

Fenton is a respected litigator known for her work in complex commercial disputes, shareholder issues, antitrust matters, and enforcement of restrictive agreements. She has first-chaired trials in Delaware and Pennsylvania courts and has represented clients in American Arbitration Association arbitrations as well as under the Delaware Rapid Arbitration Act. With over 20 years of practice, she has a proven track record in representing clients in private equity, healthcare, energy, manufacturing and more. Her practice also includes complex post-closing disputes, indemnification claims, high-stakes antitrust cases and whistleblower matters. She has experience advising companies in internal investigations, self-disclosures, and related proceedings before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Some of the most important cases affecting businesses nationally are decided in Delaware’s courts and Beth has significant experience litigating here in Delaware,” Tom McGonigle, managing partner of the firm’s Wilmington office, said. “Beth has a proven track record of success and her deep roots in this highly specialized and close-knit legal community align perfectly with our office’s strategic growth and our clients’ needs.”

“As an accomplished litigator with deep experience handling complex matters before the Court of Chancery and other business focused forums, Beth will be an invaluable advisor for our clients incorporated in Delaware,” D. Randall Brown, chair of Barnes & Thornburg’s Litigation Department, said. “She is well positioned to guide businesses through all phases of high-stakes commercial litigation and investigations, bolstering our team’s ability to provide best-in-class counsel to clients in Delaware and across the country.”

Fenton received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and her A.B., magna cum laude, from Brown University.