Incoming Delaware politicians tap entrepreneurship leaders for key positions

It’s post-election cabinet selection season for both national and local positions. 

In Delaware, people who are or have been players in the business and entrepreneurship community are making some of those big moves.

In addition to government transitions, there are power moves this month in agriculture tech, education, economic development and the arts. 

Read on to see who’s making moves this month.

New Castle County hires longtime entrepreneur in c-suite role 

New Castle County Executive-Elect Marcus Henry has chosen former Wilmington City Council Chief of Staff Mona Parikh as his administration’s chief administrative officer, which oversees day-to-day operations.

Parikh has played a vital role in Delaware’s startup ecosystem over the past decade, including as managing director of Start It Up Delaware, an adjunct professor for Horn Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware and a member of Governor John Carney’s entrepreneurial advisory group. 

She was also a Delaware delegate at the Democratic National Convention in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

Henry will take office on Jan. 7 as current NCC Executive Director Matt Meyer becomes governor. Henry stated his administration would focus on public safety, economic development, land use, housing and youth programs.

Wilmington small business leader transitions to gov budget role

As John Carney swaps his role as governor for mayor of Wilmington, he will be bringing Delaware Director of the Office of Management and Budget Cerron Cade along as chief of staff. 

Carney appointed Cade, his campaign manager during his successful 2016 campaign, to lead the now-defunct Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) when he first took office. The office later became the Delaware Division of Small Business. 

“Serving alongside Mayor-Elect Carney is an honor, and I am excited to help advance his vision for Wilmington,” Cade said in a statement. “Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to finding solutions that make government work better for the people it serves and I look forward to bringing that same commitment to the mayor’s office.”

More power moves:

• Dubard McGriff, former campaign officer for ACLU Delaware, is the new executive director for Northeast Community Development Corporation, an organization working to create an economically stable Northeast Wilmington.
• Delaware-born startup TRIC Robotics is featured on the cover of the winter 2025 issue of ModernAg magazine.
• Rob Passarelli has joined Wilmington University’s College of Technology as the chair of the undergraduate game design and development and the animation and 3D programs.
• Delaware Contemporary artist fellow Lauren E. Peters has been selected as executive administrator to the director of the Delaware Division of the Arts.