Sussex names new director of economic development

Melody Booker-Wilkins has been named Sussex County's new director of economic development.

She is already a familiar presence in the county's business community, having worked for the past five years in the Delaware Economic Development Office, where she worked with elected officials to retain and attract businesses to Sussex County.

“I am absolutely delighted to be in this new role,” she said. “In my opinion, success in any position hinges on honest, strategic partnerships and relationships. The beautiful thing is I’ve been able to nurture those relationships over the past 25 years right here.”

County executive Todd Lawson said he received 20 applications for the position, calling Booker-Wilkins well-qualified, experienced and familiar with Sussex County.

“I can’t express my gratitude and my excitement for this opportunity,” Booker-Wilkins said as she was introduced. She will start Monday, Oct. 20.

A resident of Milford for more than 25 years, she has worked in both the public and private sectors. A graduate of the University of Maryland, she worked for 20 years in sales for radio and TV stations on Delmarva including WBOC, WGMD and Eagle 97.7, among others.  She is married to James Wilkins, and together their blended family includes three children and one grandchild.

In her new position, Booker-Wilkins said she wants to work with local chambers, tourism boards, businesses and Delaware Tech to carry on her work with DEDO.

She said her first order of business is to work on rebranding the Sussex County Airport and industrial park. A study commissioned by Delaware Department of Transportation and released in November last year recommended changing the airport’s name and identity in order to draw more corporate aircraft and increase revenue.

County spokesman Chip Guy said Booker-Wilkins’ hiring is “letting the community know that the county is serious about economic development. We have somebody in this position now who is an absolute go-getter.”

Guy said the position pays $78,000; the county has had an economic director for the past 15 years, he said, with the most recent being Julie Wheatley, who left in February.

Besides attracting and retaining businesses, Guy said Booker-Wilkins would be responsible for administering the county’s incentives and loans programs for economic development. In addition, he said, she will try to help the county continue to diversify its economy so that it is not totally reliant on the two largest drivers: agriculture and tourism.

“Every job matters,” Booker-Wilkins said.

Carol Everhart, president and CEO of the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, said of Booker-Wilkins' appointment, "It would be hard for me to think of a better choice."

She said Booker-Wilkins is professional and outgoing and understands the county and its economy.

At the Oct. 7 announcement of her appointment, Booker-Wilkins was clearly enthusiastic about the job, with Guy joking they may be able to power the county office building with her energy.

“What I really hope to do is promote small business success that is going on right now,” Booker-Wilkins said. “There’s so many positives going on.”