Stay ConnectedInformation, perspectives, and analysis for public policy, management, and community and economic development in Delaware.
Presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), a research and public service center in the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration.
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Maggie Ratnayake, Executive Director of Lori’s Hands, speaks with Julia O'Hanlon, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about service-learning models to support older adults and promote mutually beneficial experiences. This May 6, 2022 interview addresses the history and mission of Lori’s Hands, the value and impacts of intergenerational service-learning programs, and approaches to evaluating program impacts. Established in Newark, Delaware in 2009, Lori’s Hands builds mutually beneficial partnerships between community members with chronic illness and college students, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience. To learn more about the work at Lori’s Hands, visit https://lorishands.org/. As a Policy Scientist at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), Julia O'Hanlon leads research and public service programs focused on health policy, including an ongoing focus on senior center programming and aging in place (https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/serving-delaware/health). For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.
Professors Allison Karpyn and Elizabeth Orsega-Smith speak with Julia O'Hanlon, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the interdisciplinary partnerships supporting older Delawareans. This April 29, 2022 interview addresses the role of intergenerational programming and the need for interdisciplinary expertise in designing and evaluating programs focused on aging adults. Dr. Karpyn (https://www.cehd.udel.edu/faculty-bio/allison-karpyn/) is Co-Director of the University of Delaware at the Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP) and Associate Professor in the Department of the Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware. She has published widely on program evaluation methods; topics related to hunger, obesity, school food, supermarket access, food insecurity, healthy corner stores; and, strategies to develop and maintain farmer's markets in low-income areas. Dr. Karpyn also has hands-on experience working with community-based agencies and institutions, including non-profit organizations and retailers, to implement and study-specific approaches to increase access to high-quality food in low-income communities. Dr. Orsega-Smith (https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/faculty/elizabeth-orsega-smith/) is an associate professor in the Department of Behavioral Health & Nutrition at the University of Delaware. Her research program focuses on the psychosocial determinants of health, with a specific interest in physical activity in older adults. Additionally, her service has involved intergenerational programming to connect grandchildren with their grandparents to improve both fitness and health and the relationship between the two generations. As a Policy Scientist at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), Julia O'Hanlon leads research and public service programs focused on health policy, including an ongoing focus on senior center programming and aging in place (https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/serving-delaware/health). For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.
Sal Mercogliano, host of the Youtube show "What’s Going On With Shipping?”, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the state of maritime shipping as we navigate our way out of both the pandemic and a supply chain crisis. Topics covered in this April 21, 2022 interview include major takeaways from the recent groundings of the container ships Ever Given and Ever Forward and the need to raise the visibility of the maritime industry in the United States. Sal Mercogliano is an Associate Professor at Campbell University and the Chairperson of the Department of History, Criminal Justice and Political Science. He’s a graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College and a former merchant marine. He also earned an MA in Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology from East Carolina University and a Ph.D. in Military and Naval History at the University of Alabama. In addition to his Youtube show, he is a frequent contributor to the industry news sites gCaptain and Freightwaves. To track Sal’s work, follow him on Twitter (https://twitter.com/mercoglianos) or check out his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/WhatisGoingonWithShippingwSalMercogliano). This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for details on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License
Lisa St. Clair, the President and CEO of Tail Bangers, and Michelle Harris, the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Delaware Office, speak with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, as part of National Small Business Week. This May 2, 2022 conversation focused on the growth of Tail Bangers and the personal characteristics, business practices, and public-private partnerships that can help make business success a reality. Lisa St. Clair founded Tail Bangers in 2003, and she was named the 2022 Delaware Small Business Person of the Year. Tail Bangers is a dog treat bakery based in Millsboro, Delaware, that produces fresh, healthy dog treats made exclusively from US-sourced ingredients. Michelle Harris is the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Delaware Office, a role she assumed in February 2022. Earlier in her career, she was Regional Assistance Division Manager for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, an SBA Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, and Executive Director for the State of Delaware's Office of Supplier Diversity. To learn more about Tail Bangers, visit tailbangers.com. To connect with Delaware's SBA office, browse to www.sba.gov/offices/district/de/wilmington. This episode is presented as part of the Delaware Founders' Stories series—a collection of conversations with underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. Listen to all episodes in the series at https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.
Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce leaders Ayanna Khan and Andre Dixon speak with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about current activities and plans for the Chamber. Established in 2020, the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce supports small businesses by helping them connect with larger companies and one another; providing business development training and education; and raising awareness about Delaware’s Black business community. This February 28, 2022 interview covers the founding and growth of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, the challenges facing Delaware’s black-owned businesses, and how the Chamber is working to support members and enhance the state’s business environment. Ayanna Khan is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, and the founder of Khan Consulting LLC (https://khanconsultingllc.com/). Andre Dixon serves as the Chamber’s membership coordinator and is the founder and president of Dixon Development Enterprises, LLC (https://ddellc.biz/). To learn more about the work of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, browse to https://debcc.org/ or connect with the Chamber on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DelawareBCC/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/delawareblackchamberofcommerce/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/debcc/), or Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheDEBCC). This episode is presented as part of the Delaware Founders’ Stories series—a collection of conversations with underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. Listen to all episodes in the series at https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.
Cathy Roberson, founder of Logistics Trends & Insights, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about her current analysis on freight, supply chain, and logistics. Topics covered in this March 11, 2022 interview include reverse logistics, the evolution of e-commerce, and the return of in-person networking with supply chain professionals. Cathy is an analyst with deep experience across the transportation and logistics business. Through Logistics Trends & Insights, she provides strategic supply chain research and analysis. She also writes weekly articles for Air Cargo World and serves as a research manager for the Reverse Logistics Association and a research analyst for the Journal of Commerce. To track Cathy’s work, read and subscribe to her “Rethinking supply chains” newsletter at https://cathyroberson.substack.com/. This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for details on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License
Ellory Monks, co-founder of The Atlas, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about major opportunities and challenges the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) presents for state and local governments. Topics covered in this March 10, 2022 interview include how Ellory and her team at The Atlas aim to spur transformative policy change and infrastructure investments; what is known about IIJA funding, timelines, and priorities; and how state and local governments can best organize to maximize the impact of infrastructure funds in their communities. The Atlas is a free online community for state and local government leaders to browse case studies, follow trending topics, and crowdsource ideas. Before founding The Atlas, Ellory was a consultant funded by philanthropies like the Rockefeller Foundation. She gained extensive experience working directly with local government officials to identify and implement strategies that solve complex infrastructure problems. Ellory also served in the Obama Administration, where she provided analytical and technical support to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on a wide range of infrastructure, energy, and environmental issues. She frequently contributes to the ongoing conversation about cities, infrastructure, and innovation in outlets like The Brookings Institution and The New York Times. For more information on The Atlas, visit https://the-atlas.com/. To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.
Dr. Jalaal Hayes speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his experiences with growing a startup and developing as an entrepreneur. Dr. Hayes is the founder and CEO of Elyte Energy, a Delaware-based startup company focused on delivering hydrogen energy and storage as an economical and green alternative to current standards. Topics covered in this February 22, 2022 interview include Jalaal’s experiences with incubator and accelerator programs; evolving market opportunities in the energy sector; and his thoughts on the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts aimed at supporting innovators and entrepreneurs. To track the progress of Dr. Hayes and the Elyte Energy team, browse to https://www.elyteenergy.com/. To hear more about Jalaal’s entrepreneurial journey, listen to this October 2020 episode of First State Insights: https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/de-founders-drjah This episode is presented as part of the Delaware Founders’ Stories series—a collection of conversations with underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. Listen to all episodes in the series at https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.
Khary DeWitt, President of Mountaineer Logistics, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his company’s entry into the logistics sector. Topics covered in this February 24, 2022 interview include Mountaineer Logistics’ mission and lines of business; the dynamics of operating a logistics company during the COVID-19 pandemic; and future plans for the company and its role in the community. Khary launched Mountaineer Logistics after a career in finance and banking that included working in multiple managerial and leadership roles for JP Morgan Chase and MBNA. Mountaineer Logistics is a purpose-driven company that provides courier, distribution, and freight management services. Based in Delaware, the Mountaineer Logistics team aspires to improve the quality of lives in the communities that they work and live in by providing world-class delivery services in socially and environmentally responsible ways. To track the efforts of Khary and the Mountaineer Logistics team, browse to https://mountaineerlogistics.com/. This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License
Marilyn Smith, Executive Director of the Dover/Kent County MPO, speaks with Madison Matera (MPA ‘22), Public Administration Fellow at the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about transitioning to work in Delaware, the crucial role of transportation planning, and the opportunities presented by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Topics covered during this January 7, 2022 episode include steps Marilyn is taking to get to know Delaware; the role of social equity considerations in the MPO’s work; and interconnections among transportation, economic prosperity, and quality of life in our communities. Marilyn was appointed Executive Director on December 3, 2020. Before coming to the MPO, Marilyn served nine years as Senior Economic Development Advisor in the office of U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20). From 2000-2012, Marilyn was Executive Director for Cornell University (NY) Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. Prior to moving to New York State, Marilyn spent ten years working in county government in Utah. For more on the work of Marilyn and her team at the Dover/Kent County MPO, visit https://doverkentmpo.delaware.gov/. For more information on the Institute for Public Administration, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License
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