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People on the Move: May 26
People on the Move is a rundown of recent hirings, promotions, appointments and other notable movements by professionals in the state. If you’re interested in submitting an entry, please contact [email protected].
Morris & Ritchie Associates, Inc. (MRA), a mid-Atlantic engineering, planning, surveying, and architectural firm, has announced that Phillip L. Tolliver, P.E., has been elected president. Tolliver will become MRA’s fourth president since the founding of the company by Rich Morris and Kirk Ritchie in 1979.
Phillip L. Tolliver | PHOTO COURTESY OF MRA
With a career of notable success and experience in the land development industry, which spans five decades, Tolliver will succeed Frank F. Hertsch, P.E., who will continue as a principal of the firm in a full-time administrative role.
Tolliver began his career in land development in 1987 at MRA. Prior to being named president of the firm, Tolliver served as the principal-in-charge of their New Castle, DE and Raleigh, NC offices, and an owner of MRA and their affiliate firm, Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. In addition to being actively engaged in project management for 30 years, Tolliver has 20 years of experience leading corporate management decisions as a principal of MRA.
“MRA has experienced more than 40 years of strategic growth,” Tolliver said. “I look forward to the opportunity to build on MRA’s track record of exceeding expectations and delivering top quality service to our clients.” MRA has expanded from a two-person company, operating out of a basement office, to a full-service A/E firm with eight offices and a staff of 230. Current locations include New Castle and Georgetown, Delaware; Abingdon, Towson, Laurel, and Baltimore City, Maryland; Leesburg, Virginia; and Raleigh, North Carolina. The opening of an Orlando office is planned for June.
In addition to being a registered professional engineer in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North Carolina, Tolliver earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Tolliver has worked to advance the interests of the land development industry on many levels.
Delaware Department of Labor (DOL) name Traci Fraley as the new director of the Division of Industrial Affairs (DIA), replacing former Director Dr. Michael Boone, who resigned to pursue an opportunity in academia earlier this month. Fraley currently serves as deputy director for DIA.
“We are excited that Traci and Ethel have agreed to step up to the challenge of guiding Industrial Affairs and continuing the excellent work done by Dr. Boone and the team,” Secretary Hubbard said. “Together, they are focused on developing Delaware’s approach to Workers Compensation, Construction Industry Enforcement, Health & Safety, Human Trafficking a so much more that impacts employers, workers and job seekers.”
Fraley has a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety & health Management from Millersville University and a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Drexel University. Belfon has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Dynamics and a master’s degree in Management, Public Administration, both from Wilmington University.
Peter DeGregorio | PHOTO COURTESY OF YMCA DELAWARE
The YMCA of Delaware welcomes Peter DeGregorio as chief financial officer. DeGregorio brings 14 years of experience in financial management and business administration.
“We are committed to attracting top-tier talent to Delaware,” Jarrett Royster, YMCA of Delaware CEO, said. “Peter DeGregorio has a track record of making impactful change with the YMCA. We’re excited to tap into his wealth of knowledge, utilizing his experience to further our mission and increase our reach across the state in all the communities we serve.”
Most recently, Peter served as Director of Financial Planning & Analysis and Risk Management at the Boston YMCA. He oversaw the Boston Y’s financial planning and analysis, childcare business operations, and enterprise risk management. Previously, Peter has held financial leadership roles with the Perkins School for the Blind, Avery Dennison, and worked as a management consultant with The Brookside Group & Popp Risk Group.
A graduate of Tufts University, Peter is a board member of the United ARC and a “Big” with Big Brothers and Big Sisters. A former collegiate soccer player, Peter just ran the Boston Marathon on behalf of the Boston Y raising funds for its Teen Programs.
Bayhealth announces the addition of Board-certified Neurosurgeon Aaron Sigler, DO, and Physician Syed Nazeer Mahmood, MD.
Aaron Sigler | PHOTO COURTESY OF BAYHEALTH
Sigler was born and raised in Sussex County, has returned to his home state and joined the Bayhealth Neurosurgery practice. Dr. Sigler offers neurosurgical care for disorders involving the brain and spinal cord, and he has special expertise in minimally invasive treatment of brain and skull base tumors. He is now accepting new patients.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Sigler join us,” said Medical Director of Neurosurgery at Bayhealth Dawn Tartaglione, DO, FACOS. “The fact that Dr. Sigler grew up locally and has brought his neurosurgical talents and experience back to Delaware is a wonderful benefit to our communities. He and our Bayhealth Neurosurgery team can provide the most innovative procedures to treat a full range of brain and spinal conditions so central and southern Delawareans don’t have to travel far to get the high-quality care they need.”
Prior to joining Bayhealth, Dr. Sigler spent seven years as a neurosurgeon with Tulane University Medical Group and an assistant professor at Tulane School of Medicine’s Center for Clinical Neurosciences in New Orleans, Louisiana.
After he graduated from Seaford High School and University of Delaware, Dr. Sigler earned a master’s in biomedical sciences followed by his Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, Missouri. He completed an osteopathic internship and a residency in neurological surgery from Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey. He holds board certification from the American Osteopathic Board of Surgeons.
Dr. Sigler then went on to the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic where he completed an advanced endoscopic and open skull base tumor fellowship program. He specializes in advanced, minimally invasive procedures that allow him to reach areas of the brain using a flexible tube through the nose and to treat brain tumors without removing parts of the skull. This results in a quicker and smoother recovery for patients.
Dr. Mahmood has expertise in advanced lung diseases and treats a wide range of pulmonary conditions, such as asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. He is accepting new patients.
The practice is part of Bayhealth Medical Group, a partnership of highly trained physicians and advanced practice clinicians, their staff, and an administrative support team that operates medical offices throughout central and southern Delaware.
“Dr. Mahmood is an excellent addition to our Bayhealth team,” said Bayhealth Vice President, Physician Services and Clinical Integration Lawrence Ward, MD, MPH, FACP. “We know there is a high demand in our area for specialized care to treat lung diseases and help individuals better manage their chronic respiratory conditions, including those with long-term respiratory effects of COVID. Having this new practice and Dr. Mahmood’s expertise will enable us to better meet our community needs.”
After earning a medical degree from Kasturba Medical College in Karnataka, India, Dr. Mahmood did an internal medicine residency with MedStar Georgetown University/Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. There he also completed fellowship training in pulmonology and critical care medicine and served as chief fellow.
Dr. Mahmood is a leader in his specialty field, having done extensive research and conference presentations on pulmonary vascular diseases and innovative therapies in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He is a member of the American Thoracic Society and active in the American College of CHEST Physicians—a national network of experts dedicated to advancing the wellbeing of patients with pulmonary and critical illnesses.
Beebe Healthcare announces the appointment of David Yunis, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist, to Beebe Medical Group. Dr. Yunis practices at Beebe Behavioral Health in Lewes and provides outpatient care for adults with a wide range of mental health concerns.
David Yunis | PHOTO COURTESY OF BEEBE
Prior to joining Beebe, Dr. Yunis served as a staff psychiatrist at Horizon House’s Assertive Community Treatment Team in Georgetown, Delaware. Earlier in his career, he worked as a staff psychiatrist at the Delaware Department of Correction.
Dr. Yunis is a graduate of Rosalind Franklin University’s Chicago Medical School and completed a residency in psychiatry at Boston University. He also holds a master’s degree from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Dr. Yunis is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and of the Psychiatric Society of Delaware.
“I am committed to building rapport with each patient,” Dr. Yunis said. “I have a vested interest in community-based medicine and am excited to be part of an organization that is growing its behavioral health services based on community needs.”
He joins Leonard Lev, MD, and Jennifer Yoon, MD, at Beebe Behavioral Health at 33664 Bayview Medical Drive in Lewes.
Dr. Yunis is married and has two teenage children. He spends his free time traveling, visiting local beaches and restaurants, playing pool, and cooking. He is especially skilled in preparation of unique international dishes and homemade pizza.
The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation (PDFF) announced the appointment of Grey Fox Wealth Advisors Kevin Dombrowski to the board of directors.
Dombrowski holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Dombrowski was a recipient of the Delaware Business Times “40 Under 40” award in 2016.
Before founding Grey Fox Wealth Advisors, Dombrowski formerly worked for a private wealth firm where he helped manage over $600 million of clients’ assets. Prior to that role, Dombrowski served as Senior Vice President for Morningstar and managed several of its largest strategic partnerships. He has been in the financial services industry for over 15 years.
Dombrowski is passionate about making a positive impact in the community. He serves as a board member for The Independence School, a private co-educational day school for ages 3 through 8th Grade. He also serves as a board member and Treasurer for Delaware Guidance Services, Delaware’s largest provider of non-residential mental health services for children and families. Dombrowski was a 2016 Fellow and serves as an active board member and Treasurer for Leadership Delaware. Additionally, Dombrowski serves as the Chairman of the Finance Committee at his church.
Communications expert and former TV news anchor Jeremy Tucker has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI).
Tucker is currently manager of strategic communications and engagement at Delaware Electric Cooperative, which serves 115,000 consumers in central and southern Delaware. Prior to joining Delaware Electric Cooperative in 2011, he was an anchor and political reporter for WBOC-TV (CBS and Fox) in Dover. He also previously worked for the Delaware General Assembly and CBS News. Tucker is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C.
“Delawareans need access to basic local information to be able to thrive. We also need storytelling that helps us understand our neighbors and strengthens the remarkable sense of community we have here in Delaware,” Tucker said. “We also must restore the public’s ability to hold local government accountable. We have the power to do that by reinvigorating local news coverage. I’m excited to be part of LJI’s work to make it happen.”
Combined with his deep roots in central and southern Delaware, Tucker’s expertise in local journalism and community engagement will help LJI build sustainable models to address gaps in local news and information needs, LJI President Allison Taylor Levine said.
