The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce held its prestigious annual Awards for Excellence Celebration on Wednesday, June 18, at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort. This celebration was devoted to recognizing the exceptional contributions and achievements of its members. The sold-out event brought together more than 300 of central Delaware’s leading business professionals, community advocates and chamber members.

As attendees mingled, posed for photos on the red carpet, sipped celebratory drinks and enjoyed a delicious dinner, the air was filled with a sense of camaraderie and celebration. The highlight of the night was the announcement of the award winners, voted on by their fellow CDCC business members.

Please join the CDCC in congratulating the 2025 Excellence in Business award winners:
Young Professional of the Year – Codi Lyn Canasa, Agapé Body Piercings
Small Business of the Year – Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital
Large Employer of the Year – Century Engineering – A Kleinfelder Company
Additional awards were presented during the celebration:
Partnership of the Year – Bayhealth
Volunteer of the Year – Barbara Steele, Kent County Women’s Journal
Board Member of the Year – Tim Bayes, Century Engineering – A Kleinfelder Company
Ambassador of the Year – Erlene George, Primerica
Leadership Central Delaware Best in Class: LCD Class of 2023

Special recognition continued with the Leadership Central Delaware Class of 2025’s graduation. Congratulations to the following 28 business leaders who successfully completed the CDCC’s Diamond Program:
Lexy Austin – Bally’s Dover Casino Resort; Steve Bednarik - Dover Air Force Base – 512th Airlift Wing; Michelle Bergold - Del-One Federal Credit Union; Shanise Boyd - Dover Federal Credit Union; Reginald Daniel – NeighborGood Partners; Carol Ellis – Bally’s Dover Casino Resort; Katherine Girtman; Matthew Heverin – Del-One Federal Credit Union; Jared Hughart – Chesapeake Utilities Corporation; Malcolm Jacob – Dover/Kent MPO; Heather Jones – Bright Side Roofing; Heather Kline – Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity; Amy Krumm – Del-One Federal Credit Union; Martha Lehman – Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce; Jillian Lyons-Miller – Bally’s Dover Casino Resort; Deborah Moore – Lean On Me Caregiving; Kallie Moyer – Faw Casson; Selda Munson – Dedicated to Women OB/GYN; Tiara Neal – Del-One Federal Credit Union; Ardyn Overko – Dover Federal Credit Union; Christian Proctor – Del-One Federal Credit Union; Sarah Sadlowski – Advantech; Steven Shorter – Dover Air Force Base – 436th Airlift Wing; Joshua Smith – Bayhealth Medical Center; Heather Stewart – Corp1. Inc.; Sal Watson – Bally’s Dover Casino Resort; Toby Watson – Ever Forward Inc.

The CDCC extends a big thank you to Bally’s Dover Casino Resort for being an accommodating host and Royal Prime Events staff for serving a delicious meal. Thank you to the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience for setting the mood with their dynamic music, to Top Spin Productions for their fun and festive photo booth, and to Heather Contant from Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation and Logan Anderson from the Daily State News for acting as “paparazzi” and snapping glamorous pics of the attendees arriving on the red carpet.

This event would not be possible without supportive and generous sponsors. The CDCC graciously thanks them all: Signature Sponsor - Merrill Lynch Connell, Alexander, Duncan & Associates; Wine Sponsor – Faw Casson; Chairman’s Circle Sponsor: Bally’s Dover Casino Resort; Patron Sponsors: Delaware Division of Small Business, and L&W Insurance; Donor Sponsors – Allen Insurance and Bayhealth; Contributors – Hilton Garden Inn, Lean On Me Caregiving and POLYTECH Adult Education; and Platinum Sponsors and Cornerstone Members: B.I.G. Investment Services, Century Engineering – A Kleinfelder Company, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, Daily State News, Dover Federal Credit Union, G. Fedale, Harrington Raceway & Casino, Kraft Heinz Company, PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Dover, Pratt Insurance, R&R Commercial Realty and Residence Inn.

The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and nominees. CDCC president Dina Vendetti shared these sincere sentiments: “Your dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence have not only earned you these well-deserved accolades but have also enriched our community. We are proud to celebrate your achievements and look forward to witnessing your continued success.”

For more information about the awards, the Leadership Central Delaware program or chamber memberships, visit www.cdcc.net or call 302-734-7513.

Upcoming events:
June 25 – Sunset Business Mixer, Hilton Garden Inn Dover, 5–7 p.m., members and invited guests
July 4 – CDCC Office closed for Independence Day holiday
July 10 – Member Orientation, via Zoom, noon–1:30 p.m., members only
July 30 – Sunset Business Mixer, Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 5–7 p.m., members and invited guests