Personnel file: Jan. 8, 2024

“Yvonne currently holds the position of Vice President of the Chamber and is very knowledgeable of the Chamber’s operations and the work of Chamber staff. Serving in this new role will be a seamless transition for the Chamber and its members, and we are excited to support Yvonne in this new role,” said Chamber Chairwoman Pam Scott. 

Deadwyler was named Vice President of the NCC Chamber in April of 2023 and has overseen the member relations team, which included events, membership, member retention, marketing, and communications.

DeRose named managing director of Whisman Giordano

Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC, Wilmington, announced Lisa K. DeRose as its new Managing Director.

DeRose is the first female Managing Director and a non-Giordano family member or Whisman to lead the firm. 

DeRose has over 35 years of experience. She joined WGA as a partner in 2013 and was named Chief Operating Officer this past March.

President Joseph V. Giordano, stated, ” Lisa has been a leader in the firm from the minute she joined us over a decade ago.  Electing her as the firm’s first female managing partner in our 50-year history was a no-brainer, and I look forward to her leading our firm now and into the future.



WSFS names Brubaker chief HR officer

WSFS Bank, the primary subsidiary of WSFS Financial Corporation named Lisa Brubaker as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer.

Brubaker will lead all Human Resources functions, including Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Operations, Learning & Development, Associate Engagement, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Most recently, Brubaker was Chief Information Officer (CIO), overseeing WSFS’ Technology Infrastructure, Application Development and Support, Information and Cybersecurity, Bank Operations, Enterprise Project Management, and enhancements to Customer-facing digital solutions. Brubaker will continue to oversee these areas during the search for her successor.

Brubaker joined WSFS in 1987 and has held a variety of roles with increasing responsibilities throughout her career.

This included Senior Vice President, Director of Retail Strategy in the Consumer Banking division, along with an extensive background in project management and mergers and acquisitions.

Smith new head of medical, public health association

Kate W. Smith, MD, who has been with the Academy/DPHA (Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association) since 2016, became Executive Director on Jan. 1.

Smith started her career with the Academy/DPHA as the coordinator for the state’s Immunization Coalition of Delaware program. Since then she has overseen the Delaware Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment initiative, student internship program, and Delaware Mini Medical School.

Dr. Smith will follow Tim Gibbs, who is taking on a new role as Director and Principal Investigator for the Delaware Health Force program – a public/private partnership between the State of Delaware and the Academy/DPHA focusing on healthcare workforce research and development. 

Gibbs has been executive director of the Academy/DPHA for 16 years, and during that time the organization has experienced growth and expansion into the field of public health.

Former MBNA executive Rhodes to head Discover

Michael G. Rhodes was named CEO of Discover, a suburban Chicago-based credit card provider with operations in Delaware. Rhodes most recently was the Group Head, Canadian Personal Banking at TD Bank Group.

Since joining TD in 2011 to lead the North American Credit Card and Merchant Services business, Rhodes has also served as the Group Head, Innovation, Technology and Shared Services from 2017 to 2021.

Prior roles include senior leadership positions at Bank of America and MBNA America Bank.

Johnson named to head DelDOT division

Stephanie Johnson has been selected to serve as the next director of DelDOT’s Resiliency & Sustainability Division. She was previously assistant director of the division and replaces Jim Pappas, who retired from the department in December.

Stephanie’s career with DelDOT spans over 25 years and has included positions within accounting, audit, finance and planning. In her role as assistant director she has been heavily focused on resiliency and sustainability initiatives including the collection and evaluation of data related to frequently flooded roadways and the collaboration with sister agencies, local and federal governments.

Carper names Xiao as Chief of Staff


U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) named Lucy Xiao as his new chief of staff and Michael Santora as his new legislative director.

Outgoing chief of staff Jan Beukelman has worked for Senator Carper for over nind years – first as a legislative assistant, then as a senior policy advisor, then as legislative director, and most recently as chief of staff.

After nearly 15 years on Capitol Hill, serving in the House of Representatives, Senate, and Biden Administration, Beukelman will depart Congress for the private sector.

Lucy Xiao will begin the role of chief of staff upon Beukelman’s departure. Xiao has worked for Senator Carper for over four years, serving as his tax and trade policy advisor and most recently as legislative director.

Michael Santora will begin the role of legislative director for Senator Carper, after serving in the Senator’s office for over 17 years.

Cain joins Farm Bureau staff

The Delaware Farm Bureau announced that Jaiden Cain joined its staff as the new membership and outreach coordinator.

She grew up on her family’s grain farm in Harrington and recently graduated from Virginia Tech in agricultural business with a minor in dairy science. Cain also served as an intern at the Farm Bureau.