Led by our Superintendent, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., The Delaware State Police held a ceremony which recognized both the outgoing Honorary Commanders for 2017 and welcomed the newly selected Honorary Commanders for 2018. This prestigious event occurred on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at the Delaware State Police Museum located at 1425 North DuPont Highway, Dover. The Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. spoke at the event and helped recognize the importance of the ceremony.

Troop 1: Captain John Laird partnered with Ivy Harlev

Ivy Harlev has served as the Executive Director of the Siegel JCC for the last 11 years. Since taking on the role of Executive Director, Ivy has overseen the introduction and implementation of a strategic plan, the addition of the J-Loop jogging track and the J-Cade interactive fitness space, and expansion of the Early Childhood Center to over 200 students.  Ivy has worked in the JCC field for the last 25 years. Starting with the JCC of Greater Palm Beaches as the Youth and Teen Director, she then worked at the JCCs of Greater Philadelphia. Ivy joined the team at the Siegel JCC in 1998. Ivy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Business from the University of Florida and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, Ivy holds a certificate in Jewish Communal Services from Gratz College.

Troop 2 (Patrol): Captain Jason Sapp partnered with Eric Williams

Eric Williams was born and raised in Delaware in North Wilmington, went to Sanford School then to Wesley College and Graduated from Brandywine College in 1992. He has worked at Cabela’s for 4 years where he is the marketing manager. Eric is involved in the community with the honor to serve on the board for the DNG Youth Foundation, The Ronnie Williams foundation, The USO Board of Advisors and NCC Ducks unlimited board.

Troop 2 (CIU): Captain Pete Sawyer partnered with Kate Parker West

Kate Parker is the statewide coordinator of the pretrial demonstration initiative at the Delaware Center for Justice.  As coordinator she advocates for evidence based policies that promote a safer, fairer, and more effective pretrial justice system.  She relies on a consensus driven reform process and is responsible for coordinating collaboration between criminal justice stakeholders and implementing DCJs community advocacy campaign.  Prior to joining the DCJ in 2014, Kate served as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender with the NJ Office of the Public Defender in Cumberland County’s trial team, a law clerk in Camden County Chancery Court, a program evaluator for a children’s mental health program with the University of Delaware’s Center for Community, Research and Service, and a florist.  Kate is a trained mediator and is working with DCJ staff to develop a yoga and meditation program specifically for adult victims of crime.

Troop 3: Captain Joshua Bushweller partnered with William Andrew

William Andrew is the President and CEO of Delaware Electric Cooperative located in Greenwood, Delaware. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, BSME in 1977 and Bill received his professional registration in 1982. His utility experience covers 40 years and he has been associated with all aspects of the utility business from gas to electric; operations to design; core business to subsidiary operations. Bill joined the Delaware Electric Cooperative in 1998 as Vice President of Engineering and Operations and was promoted to his present position in January, 2005. In addition, Bill is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Old Dominion Electric Cooperative. He is a board member of The Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Association of Cooperatives, ACES Power Marketing, The Federated Rural Insurance Company, The Harrington Raceway and Casino, and the Delaware State Fair, Inc.

Troop 4: Captain Rodney Layfield partnered with Paul Downes

Paul Downes was born and raised in Laurel Delaware. He started with Mountaire in 1978 as a Flock Supervisor and has served in many leadership positions within the company. Currently he serves as President/CEO and on the Board of Directors. Mountaire is the 7th largest poultry company in the United States and has about 8000 employees with over 4500 of them in Delaware. Paul was awarded the J. Frank Gordy Sr. Delmarva Distinguished Citizen Award for 2017, DPI’s highest award. He also serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the National Chicken Council.

Troop 5: Captain Alice Brumbley partnered with Mary Johnson

Mary Johnson has a Bachelor of Science degree from Delaware State University in Community Health.  She works in the capacity of a Trainer/Educator III with the state of Delaware for twenty-nine years.  In her capacity as a Trainer/Educator III she works with several diverse communities in Sussex County by setting up programs that encompass a wide variety of health issues.  Mary has given presentations on bullying, personal hygiene, respect, self-esteem, healthy relationships, Social Determinants of Health, and Health Equity Guide training to name a few.  She validates that “just because you are down, it doesn’t mean you’re out.”

Troop 6: Captain Matthew Cox partnered with Thomas Laymon

Reverend Tom Laymon is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary, with Graduate Work in Christian Social Ethics at Emory University. He has 30 years in ministry with 23 years in Rescue Mission Ministry, starting at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries in 1989 as Church Relations Director. He then became the Executive Director at Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI and oversaw the expansion of the ministry from 50 men to 350 men, women, and children in shelter and Program. Since May 2003, Tom has been President/CEO/Sr. Pastor of Sunday Breakfast Mission in Wilmington, DE during which he has seen the Mission’s expansion to be the largest fully privately supported non-profit in the Delmarva region with a budget of more than $5 million and serving 55 men and 70 women and children in program, as well as, 120-180 overnight shelter guests together with many other services. Annually, the Sunday Breakfast Mission provides over 300,000 meals and over 75,000 nights lodging. The Mission’s free 14-20 month Rehabilitation Program for men and women has seen over 210 graduates with over 75% not returning to a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, jail or homelessness. The Mission’s Annual Back to School Rally and Alazar’s Basketball Camp reaches thousands of inner-city youth with character and spirit building to resist drugs and gangs.

Troop 7: Captain Darren Short partnered with Amy Schnerr Norgate

Amy Schnerr is the General Manager of Tanger Outlet Center in Rehoboth Beach, DE. A native of Philadelphia, Amy attended Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, Maryland, then moved to the Rocky Mountains, first to Yellowstone National Park, and later to Park City, Utah for 16 years.  Amy has been in the shopping centers business for 27 years, marketing and managing over 20 properties, large and small, in 8 states. Since 2011, Amy has served on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, the only organization in Delaware focused solely on breast health issues that affect the women and men who live here. In her current role, Amy is privileged to lead an outstanding team of management, security, and maintenance professionals in Tanger’s core mission:  to provide Shoppers the latest and most popular brands at the best prices anywhere, with an experience so compelling they return over and over again with their Family and Friends.

Troop 9: Captain Daniel Hall partnered with Kevin Wood

Kevin Wood is the Owner/Operator at Chick-fil-A in Middletown, Delaware. Kevin opened this restaurant in September of 2012. Prior to joining Chick-fil-A, Kevin was a career law enforcement officer with nearly 20 years of Leadership experience with the Maryland State Police. The majority of his career working as a detective in the Criminal Investigation Division and Homeland Security and Intelligence Divisions. He finished his career with the Maryland State Police as a Lieutenant working in the Baltimore Joint Terrorism Task Force. Kevin was drawn to Chick-fil-A by shared values with the Company and an entrepreneurial spirit. He enjoys working with young men and women and hopes to develop future leaders.

Both the Delaware State Police Troop Commanders and the newly selected Honorary Commanders are looking forward to their mutually beneficial partnerships and working alongside each other throughout the state this coming year.

Our Superintendent, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr. and the women and men of the Delaware State Police express our gratitude and thank all of the amazing and talented Honorary Commanders for their participation in this highly honored program. This well-regarded community program brings police and civic leaders together to enhance the partnership with the communities we serve.

Congratulations on your selections and thank you for your commitment to serve others.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 022518 1720

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