Rob Morgan seeks Lewes council seat

Rob Morgan has thrown his hat into the Lewes City Council race.

The 64-year-old candidate, who filed March 21, made an unsuccessful bid for council in 2012, but he says he is more ready than ever this time around.

“I've been very active in the city since then,” he said. “I've learned a lot, and I think I'm ready to contribute.”

He teaches and serves on the council of Osher Lifelong Learning Center, is the treasurer for the Lewes Homeowners Association and is on the vestry at St. Peter's Episcopal Church.

He and his wife, Janice, moved to Lewes full time from the Washington, D.C., area in 2008, but they have been visiting the city since the '80s.

“I have over the last few years learned about the financials of the city, the planning process and the challenges facing the city, generally,” Morgan said. “I think I'd bring an appreciation of those and a willingness to work hard on those issues, and listen to the concerns and ideas of the people in the city.”

Two issues that stand out for Morgan are the budget and development. He has experience with both issues, serving on the finance committee and planning commission.

When it comes to development, he said, it is important the city use the tools available to influence projects for the good of Lewes. It is also important that the city coordinate with the county and state regarding development just outside city limits.

“I think the council is very able,” he said. “I would be very pleased to add to their strength in financial management. I won't bring something to them that they don't have, but I would be supplementing the strengths they've already got.”

Morgan majored in history at Yale University. After graduating, he joined the U.S. Army and volunteered to serve in Vietnam, where, as a lieutenant in an airborne unit, he was awarded a Bronze Star. After military service, he earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a law degree from the University of Virginia, where he worked on the Law Review. Morgan clerked in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., followed by five years in business litigation for a D.C. law firm. He also spent five years as a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s office in D.C., where he tried 75 jury cases and handled appeals.

He operated his own practice before being asked to join H. Ross Perot’s company, Perot Systems. There, Morgan led teams negotiating technology contracts for up to $100 million. He worked for the company 21 years, retiring in November 2010.

Since 2002, he has worked pro bono as general counsel for the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

To date, Morgan and incumbent Bonnie Osler are the only candidates to file for two seats on council. The open seat of Councilman Ted Becker is up for grabs, as he is running for the mayor's seat. Mayor Jim Ford announced in February that he would not seek another term.

The deadline for candidates to file to run in the Saturday, May 10, election is 4:30 p.m., Thursday, April 3. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.