Issue 11.44

November 7, 2025

A CHAMPION FOR CHANGE

CHARLIE MCDOWELL HONORED WITH GILMAN BOWL

At the 27th Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business awards luncheon, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce surprised Charles S. McDowell, a retired Potter Anderson partner and current board member for REACH Riverside Development Corporation and EastSide Charter School, with the esteemed Marvin S. Gilman Bowl.

Established in honor of Marvin S. Gilman—a model of small business excellence and community leadership in Delaware—the Gilman Bowl recognizes outstanding small business leadership. The recipient’s name remains a closely held secret until the moment of the award’s presentation.

“My grandfather would be so proud to know Charlie won the Gilman Bowl,” said Brett Gilman Smith, Marvin S. Gilman’s grandson. “They share the same gift for connecting people, making meaningful and lasting impacts in all aspects of the Delaware community, and continuing to do so with humility.” Read the full announcement >

Pictured from left: Matt Gilman, Martha Gilman, Charles S. McDowell, Michael J. Quaranta, and Brett Gilman Smith

Photo by Dick Dubroff / Final Focus

BACKING SMALL BUSINESS

A Q&A WITH CJ BELL, DIRECTOR OF THE DELAWARE

DIVISION OF SMALL BUSINESS

Nominated earlier this year by Gov. Meyer, Christopher “CJ” Bell now leads the Delaware Division of Small Business. He previously worked with U.S. Sen. Tom Carper and founded the statewide young professionals network The Connect, bringing both policy experience and entrepreneurial energy to the role. We sat down with him to discuss his vision for supporting Delaware’s small businesses. Read more >

FAST FACT: Delaware's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) aims to deploy $14 million in loans and direct investments to small business owners before Dec. 31. Learn more >

DSCC WELCOMES NEW

FOUNDATION DIRECTOR

MEET DAE'SHAWN NIXON

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome Dae'Shawn Nixon as director of the Delaware State Chamber Foundation, the State Chamber's newly rebranded 501(c)(3) affiliate. In this role, Dae'Shawn will lead research, programs, and initiatives that strengthen Delaware’s economic climate and advance prosperity for all Delawareans. Learn more about Dae'Shawn >

Welcome Dae'Shawn to the State Chamber

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Almost all businesses in Delaware are small businesses. The variety and size of these organizations are incredibly diverse, and these companies serve almost every imaginable market. From your favorite pizza parlor to a small law or accounting firm, that auto dealership you drive by on your way to work, or all those unknown names back in that commercial or industrial park you got lost in one afternoon, each contributes to our economy in meaningful ways. Seldom, if ever, will you read about them on social channels or in the news, but they account for 98 percent of the businesses in our state and employ 57% of all working-age Delawareans. Read more >

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

We celebrated the impact of Delaware's small businesses and nonprofits at the 27th Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Awards Luncheon on Wednesday. The event featured remarks from Rob Siegfried, CEO and founder of The Siegfried Group, and recognized this year’s Superstar winners: Grey Fox Wealth Advisors, JLAM, Boulden Brothers, and Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County. Photos by Hannah Paliath.