I first met Rachel in August 1981 when AT&T transferred me from Kansas City to Wilmington. Being from the Midwest and not knowing anyone in Delaware, Rachel invited me to join her to go to Rehoboth for Labor Day weekend. That was my first time to see the Atlantic Ocean and a boardwalk. She had been coming here all her life and was excited to introduce Rehoboth to me. We always stayed at The Abbey at First and Maryland streets. Eventually we named one of our daughters Abbey after The Abbey.
I’ve been blessed to be with Rachel for 40 years. She is so bright, talented and giving. With an MBA from one of the nation’s top business schools, Northwestern University, she has been very successful in her business career. She was an officer of a company that was acquired by Barry Diller’s InterActive Corp which enabled us to purchase our first home in Rehoboth. Currently she leads a team of 100+ professionals for a technology company and is responsible for over 150 client relationships and millions in revenues. Rachel has always given back to the community. She has served on the board of the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware and Jacksonville, Fla. She successfully chaired fundraising events for 300+ people in Jacksonville and at the Hotel DuPont for the Delaware House’s 10th anniversary. Rachel was an officer of our Highlands Community Association in Wilmington. One of her greatest gifts was playing the piano on Sundays at Stone Gates assisted living home.
Rachel’s greatest success is being a mom to our five kids. We call her MOM - Manager of Miracles. Rachel was present in the hospital delivery room with the birth mother when our adopted triplets were born. She’s been a great role model and always engaged in the kids’ activities. We now have a son working at Nemours Hospital in Wilmington, a daughter teaching elementary autistic children, and a daughter working at a nonprofit mission providing physical and mental therapy to homeless children. That’s an amazing example of how Rachel has taught our kids to give back. The two youngest sons are college seniors and will no doubt be successful at giving back.
Rachel ran for commissioner to give back to Rehoboth. She loves the Nation’s Summer Capital. It’s very sad to see the ugly tactics used against her and the personal attacks. As a family, we all went to Donald Trump’s inauguration at the invitation of U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. This historic event is a peaceful transition of power which is so important in the world today. Rachel and I also went to Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1984 hosting a DuPont executive. This should never be a topic of a local Rehoboth election.
Rachel did respond to Jeffrey Slavin. She asked to meet with him because she is collaborative. Instead, he prints lies and is hateful. Like many people our age, we do have a second home in Florida and spend winter months there. Just like other commissioners who live outside of Rehoboth, Rachel would have gladly funded transportation to be at in-person meetings. Bunky’s nasty RCRG email implies otherwise.
Sadly, Rehoboth voters are highly influenced by this well-organized political group posing as a homeowner’s association. These “crankys” are unhappy people with no integrity. I have no idea why they chose to live in Rehoboth and make life miserable for so many. Our family is the winner. We will get more time with Rachel. Unfortunately, the people of Rehoboth will not benefit from her amazing positive energy, can-do approach, collaborative style, creative ideas and love for Rehoboth. She would have worked for all stakeholders - homeowners, businesses, and visitors. She would have applied her vast business experience, large team leadership skills, compassion and common sense to help Rehoboth. I’m proud of her constant professionalism and not stooping to their nasty ugly tactics. We win; Rehoboth lost out.
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