The “Building a Workforce for All Seasons” forum sponsored by SCORE Delaware, M&T Bank, and the Bethany Fenwick-Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held on October 6, 2016, at The Den at Bear Trap Dunes from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. This free public workshop features key note speaker, Dr. Ileana Smith, the Vice President of Delaware Technical Community College, along with a panel of highly successful Sussex County entrepreneurs who will share their strategies on recruiting, hiring, and retaining a talented workforce.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with the workforce forum and learn more about  the J-1 visa student program, employee development and much more.   All attendees will also enjoy a complimentary breakfast. The panel will include:
 
Dr. Ileana Smith - Serving Delaware Tech for over 35 years, Dr. Smith is dedicated to education, student advancement and economic development.   Her career demonstrates experience in all aspects of higher education including workforce development and marketing.          
 
Chris Schell - After leaving a successful career as a hedge fund manager, Chris co-founded Schell Brothers in 2003 with his twin brother Preston.  He has grown Schell Brothers into one of the fastest growing and most respected builders in the country
 
Scott Kammerer - President of the James A. Beard Award winning, SoDel Concepts, consisting of  a catering company and a food truck, Scott is a founding partner of Highwater Management and Haley Kammerer Restaurant Consulting, which has worked with and managed 50 clients.
 
Gerald Hocker, Jr. - Gerry is the Vice President of Hocker’s Super Center, G&E Grocery and Hardware Stores, which has served our area for 45 years and employee approximately 160 people.   The family-owned business continues to grow with the recent acquisition of the Salt Pond Plaza.
 
Heather DeMarie - After exploring many different career paths, Heather embraced her entrepreneurial spirit. She began operating Heather’s Homeworks as a solo cleaner in 2003. Today she has a roster of over 500 clients and has 49 employees. Her goal is to reach $1 million in sales by the end of 2017.