Fred Sears Honored with Marvel Cup

Issue 8.14

April 8, 2022

FRED C. SEARS II

2022 Josiah Marvel Cup Recipient

CONGRATULATIONS, FRED! "YOU WEAR THE HEART OF DELAWARE ON YOUR SLEEVE."

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce awarded its prestigious Josiah Marvel Cup to Fred C. Sears II at the 185th Annual Dinner on Monday night.

Established in 1951, the Marvel Cup honors a Delawarean who has made an outstanding contribution to the state, community, or society. As a tradition, the recipient of the Marvel Cup is kept secret until the night of the dinner.

A Delaware native, Fred Sears is a community leader and passionate advocate for improving the state. Giving back to the community around him has always been at the core of his mission. "I like to be involved in the community," he said in a 2015 interview with Delaware Online, "because it still requires change." Read the full announcement >

“Fred, you’ve stood by me in some of the most important moments in my life—the good and the bad moments. I’m honored to call you a friend and I’m grateful for all you’ve done for the state of Delaware. I can’t thank you enough for your role in helping make the Beau Biden Foundation a reality and all you’ve done to help carry Beau’s legacy forward." - President Joe Biden

"Fred is a personal mentor to me. There is no decision that I make from a career standpoint or community impact point that he has not been a part of." - Rick Deadwyler, Corteva Agriscience

Pictured: DSCC President Mike Quaranta, Fred's sons, Jason and Graham, and Fred's grandson, Charlie

In 1998, I was trying to buy the company I was managing. Fred and his loan team was the only team that would help us secure the money we needed to buy our company, EBC Carpet Services. I’m very happy that Fred was there to take a chance on a young carpet cleaning business in Delaware, now one of the country’s largest." - Chip Rankin, milliCare Floor & Textile Care

“Fred was a mentor to me during my entire business career. I was a young, arrogant, entrepreneur appointed to the State Chamber Board. After my first meeting, he asked me to lunch. I learned from Fred from that day on… The advice was on business and personal issues, but giving back to the community was always the final lesson. It wasn’t something he spoke about all the time. You just had to watch his actions. Fred lives what he preaches!" - Mark Stellini, Assurance Media

WATCH THE

MARVEL CUP REVEAL

MISS THE DINNER?

WATCH THE RECORDING

BOARD MEMBER

OF THE YEAR

SCOTT MALFITANO

Each year, a board member is recognized by the Delaware State Chamber staff as Board Member of the Year. Scott Malfitano of CSC is this year’s honoree for his leadership and guidance as vice chair for the past two years as well as bringing Intern Delaware under the State Chamber’s umbrella. Scott has been a member of our Board of Governors since 2011. He joined our Board of Directors in 2015 and served as our vice chair in 2020 and 2021. Congratulations, Scott!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

2022 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK WITH PHILLY FED PRESIDENT HARKER

"When I addressed this group almost exactly a year ago, I called the economic recovery, both nationally and here in Delaware, a 'work in progress.' I think that still holds. Economic growth and employment are robust, but I’m very concerned about inflation."

Watch >

Economic Outlook for Delaware and the Nation >

REPORTS MENTIONED IN THE WEBINAR:

CHILD CARE IS

EVERYONE'S BUSINESS

In Delaware, as in the nation, early childhood care and education play an important role in the state’s economic health. As the sector faces profound challenges, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this new report examines ways to increase access for working families. Read more >

A SKILLS- BASED APPROACH TO OCCUPATIONAL MOBILITY

This report finds a high degree of

similarity between the skills employers seek when filling lower-wage jobs and

the skills demanded for opportunity occupations, or occupations that do

not typically require a bachelor’s degree and that pay above the national annual median wage. Read more >

HOME MORTGAGE REFINANCING DISPARITIES

Refinance mortgage applications surged

in 2020 as Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania homeowners sought to take advantage of declining interest rates during the pandemic. This report explores disparities by applicant race & income in refinance mortgage applications and originations. Read more >

INEQUALITY IN THE TIME

OF COVID-19: EVIDENCE FROM MORTGAGE DELIQUENCY & FOREBEARANCE

Using novel data, the Federal

Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

shows that during the COVID-19

pandemic minority and lower-income borrowers experienced signiﬁcantly

more ﬁnancial distress. Read more >

We are pleased to kick off our 2022 Chamber Leadership series with Doneene Damon, president of Richards, Layton & Finger. Join us as Doneene shares her personal leadership journey and offers her perspective on how the business community can lead the conversation on building a better culture of inclusion in Delaware. Register >