Speakers 2022-2023
Rotary Year 2022-2023
From 2011 to 2017, John served as Delaware’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives. During his three terms in Congress, John worked with members of both parties to find solutions to the most important challenges facing the nation. He supported the revitalization of American manufacturing through the “Make It In America” agenda. He was a lead sponsor of the centerpiece of the Jumpstart our Businesses (JOBS) Act that made it easier for small- and medium-sized businesses to grow and create jobs. John also introduced legislation that was signed into law to prevent critical prescription drug shortages, and he was the lead sponsor on a successful bill to help veterans more easily enter the job market.
Prior to his time in Congress, John served two terms as Delaware’s Lieutenant Governor. Between 2001 and 2009, John developed the Lt. Governor’s Challenge to encourage Delawareans to live active, healthier lifestyles. He also created and implemented the Models of Excellence in Education program that allowed schools throughout the state to share best practices. In addition, John was a strong supporter of the Delaware smoking ban and he led the fight for a Cancer Right to Know law, ultimately passed in 2008. John also served as Chairman of the Delaware Healthcare Commission, the Criminal Justice Council, and the Delaware Science & Technology Council.
Under then-Governor Tom Carper, John served as Delaware’s Secretary of Finance and Deputy Chief of Staff. Before that, he was Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for New Castle County, and on the staff of then-Senator Joe Biden. In these roles, he helped Delaware earn its first ever AAA bond rating, played a key role in the state’s purchase of the Port of Wilmington, and worked to cut taxes nine times.
The second of nine children, John was born in Wilmington and raised in Claymont by his parents, Jack and Ann Carney, who were both educators. He attended St. Mark’s High School and led the school’s football team to its first state championship in 1973. After graduating high school, John attended Dartmouth College where he continued his football career and earned All-Ivy League and Most Valuable Player honors. When John returned to Delaware, he coached Freshmen Football on the staff of UD Head Coach Tubby Raymond while earning a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the University of Delaware.
John lives in Wilmington with his wife, Tracey. They have two sons, Sam and Jimmy.
Ivan HendersonExecutive DirectorDelaware Historical Society
February 23, 2023
Ivan Henderson is the newly appointed Executive Director of the Delaware Historical Society. Previously, he had held the role of Director of the Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage and Vice President for Programming at DHS since April 2022. Ivan has nearly two decades of experience in museum education in Delaware, Philadelphia, and the surrounding region. He has served as the VP for Programming at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, where he led the work of the Curatorial Services and Programming teams in designing a robust exhibition practice and a wide array of family and youth programming. Before that, he was the Curator of Education and Outreach for University Museums at University of Delaware where he forged strong partnerships with students and faculty in the Museum Studies, Art History, Africana Studies, and History programs. Ivan is a graduate of Harvard University (BA, English) and the Bank Street College of Education (MS, Leadership in Museum Education).
She was named a National Health Journalism Fellow at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communications and Journalism in 2011. Her fellowship project, “No Child Allowed Outside,” chronicled the health effects of gun violence on young children. She is a 2017 Individual Artist Fellow of Delaware Division of the Arts, awarded the Established Professional Award for Creative Nonfiction.
She is a former dinosaur docent at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and former long-time volunteer with Cub Pack 506, the nation’s first Cub Scout pack exclusively for boys living in shelters or on the streets.
As part of the Delaware Division of Arts’ Creative Aging initiative, she is a teaching artist helping older adults to write memoirs, family stories and nonfiction.
Sarah McBrideDelaware State Senator
February 9, 2023
Senator Sarah McBride represents the First State Senate District, which includes Claymont, Bellefonte, and parts of Edgemoor and Wilmington.
Raised in Wilmington in the First Senate District, she graduated from Cab Calloway School of the Arts and American University.
She has been involved in community advocacy for most of her life, including working for former Governor Jack Markell, the late Attorney General Beau Biden, and as a White House intern during the Obama Administration. Most recently, she served as a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ equal rights organization.
Prior to her service in the State Senate, McBride led the successful effort to pass a landmark non-discrimination law in Delaware, worked with state leaders to expand health care covered by Medicaid, and championed legislation protecting vulnerable youth from child abuse.
McBride has taught public policy at the University of Delaware and is the author of the 2018 memoir, “Tomorrow Will Be Different.”
For her work and advocacy, former Gov. Markell awarded McBride the Order of the First State, making her one of the youngest Delawareans granted the state’s highest civilian honor. When McBride was elected in November 2020, succeeding former state Senator Harris B. McDowell III, she became the first openly transgender state senator in American history.
As a state senator, McBride has passed legislation expanding access to health care, requiring mental health and media literacy education in public schools, promoting green technologies, and protecting workers and families. In just her first term, McBride passed the landmark Healthy Delaware Families Act, providing paid family and medical leave to workers throughout the First State and marking the largest expansion of Delaware's social safety net in decades.
She currently serves as chair of the Senate Health & Social Services Committee and is a member of the Senate Housing Committee, Senate Corrections & Public Safety Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee.
Sarah married her late husband Andrew Cray in 2014 and is the proud aunt of Juliette, Theo, Bennett, Sydney, Ben and Addison.
An active member of the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware communities, Rodger lends his experience and expertise to several local not-for-profit and public-private organizations that promote economic development, affordable housing, and access to quality education for children. His community service spans memberships on the Boards of Directors of The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a member of the Delaware Business Roundtable, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Corporate Council and on the Executive Committee of the Satell Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility. As an Executive Board Member of The Wilmington Alliance, Rodger also champions the revitalization and economic growth of Wilmington, Del., where WSFS was founded and remains headquartered. Rodger was the Chairman of the Delaware Bankers Association from 2014 to 2016 and served its Board from 2011-2016. He also served on the United Way of Delaware Board of Directors from 2009-2020. In 2021, Rodger was the recipient of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s Community Leadership Award.
A native of Broomall, Pa., Rodger earned a Master of Business Administration from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Temple University. He reinforced his leadership experiences with certifications from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Center for Creative Leadership, and Harvard Business School.
Zach PhillipsEmmy Award Winning Producer
CEO/Founder
Short Order Production House
January 26, 2023
Short Order Production House began life in 2012 as the Kitchen, which seemed like a cool-sounding dba for Zach Phillips, a Syracuse-by-way-of-Atlanta designer/coder/photographer/writer/filmmaker transplant. At the time, he was working out of the coIN Loft at 9th and Tatnall, Wilmington, Delaware’s (and one of the nation’s) first co-working spaces. Almost all coIN Loft alums have gone on to do great things. Zach has at least done some good things.
The Kitchen's first customers were nonprofit organizations that were kind enough to let Zach work for free. Many have since become paying customers and good friends. The team grew to four people on Market Street. Then a pipe burst, and a flood fried a lot of the equipment. That was sad.
Après le déluge, the weary band of filmmakers journeyed three blocks to the southwest and into the coolest space any of them have ever or will ever work in again: The Joseph R. Biden Railway Station. Yes, in the station, on the platform, the trains did go by, they were loud, and they didn’t care because they loved it because it was SO. COOL. (Trains are cool.)
But as the company expanded, they ran out of platforms to take over, and then an offer came that they could not refuse. In 2017, the company (with a new name: Short Order) took ownership (not rentership) of the former WHYY-TV station at 7th and Orange, with its two beautiful sound stages, nine edit suites, parking lot, eleventy billion cubic feet of analog TV equipment, and lots of room to grow... but no trains. Short Order is still a growing team that has accomplished a lot, including winning an Emmy for the documentary “The Pathway Home” spotlighting the Hope Center in New Castle County.
Megan McGlincheyExecutive Director
Riverfront Development Corporation
January 12, 2023
Megan M. McGlinchey is currently the Executive Director of the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware (RDC). In this role, she guides the creation of strategies and objectives to fulfill the RDC’s mission of creating economic vitality along the Brandywine and Christina Rivers, while enhancing the environment, encouraging historic preservation, and promoting public access.
Through targeted and leveraged investments, RDC creates employment and residential development while promoting education, the arts, recreation, and tourism. Over the last 22 years, the RDC has spearheaded a one-billion-dollar redevelopment project along the Christina River that has seen an economic and environmental wasteland transformed into a thriving business, residential and entertainment center. Ms. McGlinchey has been a member of the RDC team for the last 20 years and has held various roles within the organization, most notably as Director of Operations and Deputy Director.
Ms. McGlinchey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Delaware Zoological Society, the March of Dimes – Delaware Chapter, the Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Delaware Children’s Museum, and she is the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. She is also the chairperson of the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Board. Ms. McGlinchey lives in Wilmington with her husband, Brian and daughter, Norah.
Layon Gray
Director, Playwright & Producer
New York, NY
October 20, 2022
Educated at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Mr. Gray has been working in film for over 20 year. He is an award-winning director, producer and writer of plays and films in NYC, Hollywood, Louisiana and now Wilmington, DE with Black Angels Over Tuskegee. He received 4 ADA Awards for his play Meet Me At the Oak (Best Playwright, Best Director, Best Play and Best World Premier). He was awarded the NAACP Best Play Award for Black Angels Over Tuskegee.
Actively involved in produce association activities, Bob has served as a volunteer leader for several national and regional industry trade groups including lending his expertise to the development of the leafy greens GAP (good agricultural practices) metrics and serving on the California Leafy Greens Technical Committee during its formative years. Bob has been honored by several groups for technical achievement and leadership including: International Fresh-cut Processors’ Association (IFPA) Technical Achievement Award (2006), U.S. Department of Agriculture National Advisory Committee on Microbial Criteria for Foods committee member (2013), NSF Food Safety Leadership (2015), CPS Leadership (2018), National Academies of Science Genetically Engineered Crops Review panel (2016), and The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Golden Check Mark for contributions to the industry (2019).
Bob holds a doctorate in biology from the State University of New York at Binghamton.
Charles R McLeod, III
Director of Community Relations
DelDOT
Oct. 6, 2022
Prior to serving as the chief communicator for DelDOT, CR was the Marketing Director for Manion, Gaynor & Manning, LLP. He also served similar capacities with the State of Delaware, Rodel Foundation, and New Castle County. In the early 2000’s, CR was Executive Assistant to Senator Thomas Carper. CR spoke to the Rotary Club of Wilmington in December of 2020 when the I-95 construction project was beginning. He’ll join us Oct. 3 to give us an update and projection when all the work will be completed.
Linda Jennings
CEO
Community Education Building
September 21, 2022
Linda Jennings joined the CEB in July 2016 bringing 20 years of leadership and management experience in law, education, and accounting services. One of the founders of the high performing MOT Charter School, Linda led MOT Charter first as Chair of the Board, then as Head of School for 11 years.
Prior to her role as the leader of the MOT Charter School, Ms.Jennings was a Senior Executive of the Siegfried Group, where she served as the firm’s General Counsel and Director of Human Resources & Marketing.
Before joining the Siegfried Group, Linda served as a commercial litigator for the Philadelphia based law firm, Duane, Morris & Hecksher after completing a two-year clerkship with the Honorable Joseph J. Farnan, Jr. on the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.
Ms. Jennings holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Health Fitness, received a Juris Doctor from University of Maryland, and Master’s degree in Education Entrepreneurship from UPENN’s Graduate School of Education.
John has given over 150 Polio & PPS talks to Rotary Clubs throughout the Northeast US. He was appointed to Rotary District 7510's PolioPlus Committee in 2011 and upon his move to Delaware, was appointed to the Rotary District 7630 PolioPlus Chair serving all 40 Rotary Clubs in Delaware & Eastern Shore Maryland.
John’s hope is to play a role in Rotary's future efforts to eradicate Polio worldwide and to help Polio Survivors and their doctors to learn how to cope with PPS.
John is also a proud Platelet Donor, starting with American Red Cross and now with the Blood Bank of Delmarva. As of 3/21/2019, he has donated Platelets 283 times for people who need platelet transfusions, including cancer patients. (This equals to 35+ Gallons).
Along with his wife, Christine, our talented speaker sings! They have a duet group called "Rhapsody in 2". They perform Cabaret shows mostly for charities.
John truly upholds the ideal of Service Above Self, finding time to have served on 6 Boards of non-profit organizations: mainly dealing with the arts.
Chris BucciniCo-Founder Buccini/Pollin Group
“Wilmington Development Update
September 8, 2022
Chris Buccini is Co-President of The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (“BPG”) a privately held, real estate investment, development and management company. BPG develops and acquires hotel, office, residential, retail, and parking properties, and sports and entertainment venues throughout the United States. Chris lead’s the firm’s investment management platform, Corten Capital, and its commercial management affiliate BPG Real Estate Services, LLC; and is a director of PM Hotel Group, Inc, a hotel management company with over 3,500 rooms under management. In addition, Chris co-founded and is co-owner of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.
Chris is the Chairman of the YPO Intercontinental Chapter, a member of the Board of Trustees of Wilmington Friends School, a member of the University of Delaware President’s Leadership Council, the Delaware Business Roundtable, and Hagley Museum and Library Council of Advisors.
Chris received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University.
Dr. Keith holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from State University of New York, University Center at Binghamton; Master of Education Degree in Education Counseling from University of Pittsburgh; and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University.
She lives in Wilmington, DE with her husband, Barry, a licensed clinical social worker, and two English bulldogs: Daisy and Charlie. Her son, Tim Hogan, lives in the greater Washington, DC area and works as a digital media strategist.
Todd HarraVP & Author
McCrery & Harra Funeral Home
“Last Rites: The Evolution of the American Funeral
August 18, 2022
Todd has been with McCrery & Harra since 2004. A graduate of Unionville High School and Elon University, Todd graduated summa cum laude from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service where he was the recipient of the prestigious Dr. John McAllister Memorial Award. Todd is a member of the Academy of Professional Service Practice, having earned the Certified Funeral Service Practitioner designation. Todd received certification in Advanced Post Mortem Reconstruction from the Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills. Additionally, he is a NFDA Certified Crematory Operator, and licensed in the state of Maryland. Todd is the president of the Delaware State Funeral Directors Association and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association where is he a participant of the National Emerging Leaders Program and part of the Workforce Development Task Force.
Todd appeared on the cover of the 2008 Men of Mortuaries Calendar, a fundraiser for the KAMM Cares breast cancer foundation. He is a member of the Brandywine Hundred Rotary Club, where he is a past president, and president of the Devon Civic Association, and is a member of the Wilmington Writers Group.
Todd is an Amazon bestselling author having authored several books about the funeral profession. His next book from Sounds True Publishing, Last Rites: The Evolution of the American Funeral, is due out in the summer of 2022. He is an associate editor/staff writer for Southern Calls magazine and has written pieces for Delaware Communion Magazine.
Todd resides in Wilmington with his family.
He then served two terms as governor of Delaware beginning in 1993. Tom’s tenure as Governor led to eight balanced budgets—with tax cuts in seven of those eight years—record growth in employment, and a reduction in state debt, all of which led to Delaware earning AAA credit ratings for the first time in the state’s history. During his second term as governor, he was selected to serve as Vice-Chairman, then as Chairman, of the National Governors’ Association (NGA).
On January 3, 2001, Governor Carper became Delaware’s junior senator. He was reelected in 2006, and when Senator Joe Biden stepped down to become Vice President in January 2009, Tom became Delaware’s senior senator. With his reelection in November 2018, he has been elected to state-wide public office in Delaware a record 14 times.
In the Senate, Tom has been a leader on improving our health care system and protecting our environment. As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senator Carper helps lead the fight to address the climate change crisis. Senator Carper was a key author of the largest infrastructure investment in U.S. history. He led the Senate to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, historic legislation to strengthen the nation’s water, transportation, and broadband infrastructure.
As a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Carper helped craft key provisions in the Affordable Care Act. Tom is also a leader in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC): he served as the panel’s Chairman in the 113th Congress, then Ranking Member in the 114th Congress. Now, as a senior member of HSGAC, Senator Carper is a leading voice on efforts to protect our country from national security threats and curb waste in government spending.
Every day, Senator Carper takes the Amtrak train to work in Washington, returning each night to Wilmington, where he lives with his wife, Martha. He is the proud father of three sons.
Cliff BergDistrict Governor
Rotary District 7630
August 4, 2022
Cliff Berg is a native of Doylestown, PA. He is a graduate of Juniata College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Cliff later received a Master of Science in Financial Services from the American College. During his career in the Financial Services Industry, Cliff obtained the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) professional designations.
Upon graduation from college, Cliff spent five years with the Boy Scouts of America as a professional Scouter which brought him to Wilmington, DE. He then served in the Financial Services industry as a Financial Planner for 38 years. Cliff served in several leadership positions within his professional industry, including serving as the National President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals in 2009-10. Cliff retired at the end of 2012 as a principal and partner with the Financial House, a financial planning firm located in Centreville, DE. Cliff and his wife, Donna, then relocated and currently live in Ocean Pines, MD.
Cliff has been active in his community his entire lifetime. He has been an active Rotarian for more than 50 years, starting with the Steelton Rotary Club in Steelton, PA in 1969 and then as a member and Past President of the Brandywine-Naamans Rotary Club, and is currently a member and three term President of the Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club. He has remained active as volunteer with Scouting and has served in several leadership positions with the local Council and Region Boards. He was awarded the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and Silver Antelope Award. Cliff also serves as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and has served in leadership positions on the Division and National levels, including having served on the ACS National Board. He is active with his church, Atlantic United Methodist and has served as Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Cliff and Donna have two children, Jennifer and Michael and four grandchildren, Stella, Tess, Malaya, and Mason.
In addition to his professional accolades, Anthony’s commitment to community service is readily apparent. He has served as a volunteer and Board member of organizations such as the Bloodbank of Delmarva, Salesianum Alumni Association, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kiwanis Club, Franciscan Spiritual Center, Catholic University Alumni Association, DE Italian American Education Association, and Catholic Charities.
Stacy InglisExecutive Director
DE Safety Council
“Keeping Delaware Safer”
July 21, 2022
Stacey Inglis accepted the position of Executive Director for Delaware Safety Council April first of this year. Stacey met Sam Waltz when she was a communications major at the University of Delaware, and he was her Public Relations professor back in the early 1990’s. Stacey returned to UD in 2010 to earn a certificate in Non-Profit Management which she is putting to good use now at Delaware Safety Council. When she was 10, Stacey received that Safety of the Year Award at Lincoln Elementary school in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. So perhaps this was fate?
She brings to the position 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, and public relations. She has held leadership positions with several Fortune 500 companies in the food and consumer package goods industries. Her responsibilities included acting liaison with Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, and other major foods companies on co-branded products. Stacey has won numerous industry awards over the years including those for Global Packaging Design, New Product launches and successful Advertising Campaigns.
Stacey had one daughter, Aynsley, who is an Ursuline and University of Delaware alum. Aynsley recently retired from a career as a professional ballerina having danced all over the world on stages in Moscow, to South Africa, Korea, Japan, and other countries. She performed here for Wilmington Rotary, in the Gold Ballroom back in 2010 when she was leaving for an international ballet competition in Korea.
In her spare time, Stacey has an insatiable appetite for travel. She has been to Paris 27 times, all major cities in Spain, Ukraine, Poland, Morocco, Turkey, Austria, The Netherlands, and many others. She has a love of art, and her favorite instrument is the cello. To listen to, not to play. Stacey learned early on that she has indeed no musical talent.
