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 small businesses to connect with local lawmakers, how policy decisions affect day-to-day operations, and why firsthand business perspectives help shape better outcomes for Delaware.

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, infrastructure planning, and long-term competitiveness across the region. From data centers and rising demand to grid congestion and legislative activity in Dover, the conversation explores what it will take to support growth while maintaining reliability and cost stability.

​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 trustee of the Delaware State Chamber Foundation. They explore why the Foundation was created, the role it plays as a convener, how it’s working to move from conversation to action, and a bonus chocolate chip cookie tasting!

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, military families, and the local community.

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. In this episode, Kelly sits down with Canada’s Consul General in New York, Tom Clark, to discuss the growing importance of state-level relationships, the role of the Consul General, and how the Canada-Delaware partnership supports economic growth, trade, and opportunity on both sides of the border.

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 modernizing the grid, preparing the workforce of the future, and strengthening community partnerships.

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 Beebe Healthcare and Tom Belmont from the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health to explore how employers can make preventive care more accessible and why prevention is critical for long-term workforce well-being.

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 their time playing sports gave them an edge in their careers—and how those same skills continue to guide their success today.

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 Madeleine Bayard from Rodel, and Carrie Leishman from the Delaware Restaurant Association, to explore how affordability, access, flexibility, and quality in child care affect Delaware’s workforce challenges and opportunities.

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 navigate this rapidly-changing situation.