Gary Persinger named 2026 Dewey Beach Volunteer of the Year

There isn’t much that Gary Persinger hasn’t done when it comes to serving and bettering the Town of Dewey Beach.

So, when the Dewey Beach commissioner was named the town’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year, nobody was really surprised – except for him.

“I’m shocked,” Persinger said. “Awards like this are always very gratifying, but this one is particularly nice because it comes from my peers, the people without whose cooperation and insights nothing would get accomplished.”

He was nominated at a March 20 council meeting by Mayor Bill Stevens, who said he was recommended not only by his fellow commissioners, but also several community members.

“Gary puts in tireless work on some really challenging issues and is relentless at it,” Stevens said. “He’s done a tremendous job for the town.”

Commisioners – minus Persinger, who recused himself for obvious reasons – unanimously voted in favor of him receiving the title.

Persinger grew up in Washington, D.C. He moved to Maryland shortly after getting his master’s in statistics from George Washington University and getting married.

He and his wife Mary, a retired teacher, first visited Dewey Beach when their neighbors offered a free post-Labor Day weekend at their house. The Persingers have now owned property in Dewey for more than 30 years, making the town a year-round second home for them, their three children and nine grandchildren.

Gary spent more than 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry, managing research and policy development for state and federal legislative and regulatory efforts, and providing input to several government agencies.

He has been treasurer of his Dewey Beach condo association for more than 10 years and was treasurer of several PTA organizations for his children’s schools.

Persinger began his volunteer service in Dewey in early 2015 as a member of the planning & zoning commission. While on the commission, he joined the comprehensive plan development working group, which was responsible for preparing an updated 10-year comprehensive plan.

He was elected as a town commissioner in 2016, marking the start of his 10 years and counting on council. Throughout this time, he’s been a commissioner liaison to nearly every committee in town. 

Currently, he serves as liaison to the planning & zoning commission, charter & code committee, resiliency & sustainability committee and comprehensive plan development committee, which will soon begin working on the town’s next 10-year comprehensive plan. Persinger encouraged all hands on deck for the development of the plan, saying volunteers and public input are essential to the process.

“He gives his time freely supporting council [and] these committees, and contributes significant time to recommendations for improvements in each function, with a particular focus on the town’s financial performance,” Stevens said. “The town is stronger today because of his dedication.”

Persinger will be recognized at the annual Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce Board Installation & Awards Luncheon Wednesday, April 22.