Ned Butera retires from Lewes library board

Ned Butera is retiring from the Lewes Public Library’s Board of Commissioners after 10 years of service.

As the former Kraft Foods East Coast director of facilities, Butera brought a wealth of construction and financial management expertise to the library. His collaboration was critical during the construction of the new library facility. 

Butera led the site selection committee, served on the design committee, and acted as the point of contact for the construction management firm. Since the opening of the new library facility, Butera has worked with other experts to establish capital maintenance and five-year operating budget plans.

A firm believer in the library’s mission, Butera will remain involved with its finance committee, even as he travels widely with his wife, Kathy.

Russ Notar has been selected by the board to fill the treasurer’s position vacated by Butera.

Notar holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in labor law and economics from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. His professional background includes executive positions with the Credit Union National Association, the National Cooperative Business Association and private practice. Notar also served as an adjunct professor of business at Johns Hopkins University.

Locally, Notar has served on the board of the Friends of the Lewes Public Library and the Rehoboth Beach Film Society. He has also developed and taught courses for the University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. More recently, Notar hosted the Lewes library’s film and discussion series Candidates for Greatness.

In welcoming Notar, Lewes Public Library Board President Hugh Leahy said, “Russ’s support of the library over the years and his strong background in financial management make him the perfect candidate to fill the vacuum left after Ned’s retirement.” His term of office is five years.