DeMatteis nominated by Gov. Carney to serve as secretary of Delaware Department of Human Resources

Delaware State News
Posted 1/6/22

WILMINGTON — Gov. John Carney on Thursday announced that he will nominate Claire DeMatteis to serve as secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources.

In the new role, Ms. DeMatteis …

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DeMatteis nominated by Gov. Carney to serve as secretary of Delaware Department of Human Resources

Posted

WILMINGTON — Gov. John Carney on Thursday announced that he will nominate Claire DeMatteis to serve as secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources.

In the new role, Ms. DeMatteis would provide support for Delaware’s state workforce and manage recruitment and retention programs across the executive branch of state government.

She currently serves as special assistant to the governor, overseeing the management of federal stimulus dollars. Gov. Carney’s nomination must be confirmed by the Delaware Senate.

“Claire has stepped up time and time again over the last five years,” said Gov. Carney in a statement. “She helped manage major reforms at the Department of Correction, and later led the agency with distinction from 2019-2021.

“In her current role, she has helped make sure we are efficiently managing an influx of federal stimulus dollars to the state. Claire has a proven ability to take on difficult challenges and I look forward to the Senate confirming her nomination.”

In her current position as special assistant to Gov. Carney, Ms. DeMatteis assists with crisis management projects across state government.

If confirmed by the Senate as DHR secretary, Ms. DeMatteis would focus on modernizing the state workforce post-pandemic, including efforts to:

• Recruit a new generation of workers into state government that reflects the state’s population;

• Address compensation inequities across state government agencies;

• And increase efforts to provide professional development and training for all state employees, including diversity and inclusion training, leadership development and mentorship programs.

Ms. DeMatteis previously served as Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction from 2019-2021, as special assistant to Gov. Carney overseeing reforms to Delaware’s corrections system, and in a senior role at the Delaware Department of Labor.

Also on Thursday, Gov. Carney announced senior personnel changes to manage additional federal funding.

A.J. Schall, director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, who continues to lead the state’s logistical response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will manage recovery efforts and implementation of American Rescue Plan Act investments, while remaining in his current DEMA role.

Greg Patterson, currently the chief of staff at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, will move to the Office of the Governor as infrastructure implementation coordinator to manage funding received by the state of Delaware through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The bipartisan law was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on Nov. 15, 2021.

White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu urged governors this week to name implementation coordinators to oversee the new infrastructure spending.

Delaware is expected to receive more than $2 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including significant new funding for road and bridge repairs, broadband expansion, clean water projects and electric vehicle infrastructure.

Mr. Patterson, who previously served in roles for Gov. Ruth Ann Minner and Gov. Jack Markell, as well as at the state Department of Justice and Department of Insurance, will also assist in reviewing and streamlining state regulations related to economic development, consistent with the ongoing Ready in 6 initiative to advance job creation efforts.

“I’ve known A.J. and Greg for years, and both are consummate public servants who I’m confident are ready for this challenge,” Gov. Carney said in a statement. “For almost two years, A.J. has led the state’s logistical response to the COVID-19 pandemic, managing the statewide testing program and rollout of the vaccine.

“In the months ahead, A.J. and Greg will continue to manage recovery efforts and make sure we are getting stimulus dollars out the door and putting them to work for Delaware families. I want to thank both for their continued public service.”

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