Starboard’s Montgomery appointed to Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Dewey Beach business owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery is among 13 new board appointments to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership.

Gov. Matt Meyer announced the appointments Aug. 18 after the group’s board was expanded to 35.

Montgomery is the operating owner of The Starboard Restaurant Group, which includes restaurants in Delaware and Maryland. He is a board member of County Bank and an active community leader, co-founding Dewey Goes Pink and other local charities. With decades of experience in hospitality, business growth and community engagement, officials said, he brings deep ties to Delaware’s coastal economy.

Meyer called on the board to strengthen its focus on building an innovation- and entrepreneurship-driven economy in Delaware. 

“Delaware’s economy is strongest when we turn new ideas into successful businesses that create jobs and opportunities right here at home,” he said in a statement. “By making innovation and entrepreneurship a core part of DPP’s mission, we are positioning Delaware to compete nationally as a hub for startups and cutting-edge industries.”

Over the next three months, he said, the board and staff will work on a plan to add a new service focused on helping early-stage startups grow in Delaware. These include high-growth sectors such as health innovation, advanced materials, financial services and blue tech, he said.

Officials said the goal is to combine access to early funding with hands-on support like commercialization guidance, help navigating grants, opportunities to partner with state agencies and stronger connections to Delaware’s talent pipeline. 

The board is now under new leadership, with Rodger Levenson of WSFS and Robert Herrera of 9SDC and The Mill Space serving as co-chairs.