Delaware State Police Induct 2023 Honorary Commanders

On the evening of February 9, 2023, the Delaware State Police inducted fourteen newly selected Honorary Commanders for 2023. The induction ceremony was held at the Delaware State Police Training Academy in Dover and included remarks made by Nathaniel McQueen, Jr., former Superintendent of the Delaware State Police and current Secretary of the Department of Safety & Homeland Security, as well as by Senator Spiros Mantzavinos of the Seventh District, who was the 2021 Honorary Commander for Troop 6. Superintendent of the State Police Colonel Melissa Zebley also spoke and had the privilege to present each Honorary Commander with their certificate and lapel pin.

The Delaware State Police Honorary Commanders have the opportunity to become more integrated with the mission of the State Police. Honorary Commanders will be afforded the chance to tour facilities throughout the State, observe demonstrations from specialized units such as the Special Operations Response Team, Canine, Mounted Patrol, and Aviation Units, participate in trooper training exercises such as emergency vehicle operations and firearms training, and attend several Delaware State Police Centennial Anniversary events, recruit graduations, and promotional ceremonies.

Colonel Zebley also administered the Honorary Commander’s Oath to each inductee:

I do solemnly swear to accept the responsibilities of my command and to serve honorably as a worthy ambassador for the Delaware State Police and my community. I will collaborate with my Commander to create an everlasting alliance that will benefit my organization, my community, the state of Delaware, and the Delaware State Police. I take this commitment freely on this day, February 9, 2023.

Troop 1: Mr. James Herbert, Assistant Area Supervisor – DelDOT

The Troop 1 Honorary Commander for 2023 is Mr. James Herbert. James, or “Herbie,” grew up in Claymont, Delaware but also spent much of his childhood in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 2007, Herbie graduated from the Delaware Military Academy in Wilmington. After graduation he continued his path of service by accepting employment with the Delaware Department of Transportation. In a short time, he worked his way from operator to crew leader and eventually was promoted to the Assistant Area Supervisor for Talley Yard. Herbie has been a dedicated ally of the Delaware State Police in the frequent motorcade movements of President Joseph Biden, who resides in Troop 1’s jurisdiction. Herbie was also on-hand for many large-scale events Troop 1 was responsible for, such as Point to Point and the WGA/PGA BMW Championship. Herbie is always there to help with traffic and lend assistance however it is needed. He has clearly built a relationship between our agencies and proven to be an important part of the Penny Hill family.

Troop 2 Patrol: Mr. Daniel Harris, Manager – Walmart, Wilton

The Troop 2 Patrol Honorary Commander for 2023 is Mr. Daniel Harris. Mr. Harris is the Walmart Store Manager for the Wilton Boulevard complex. Mr. Harris overcame adverse life circumstances and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Leadership and Management. In over a decade’s worth of his career, he has established community partners to include local and state governments, the Armed Forces, local/state/federal First Responders, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the YMCA. Through these partnerships he has led community initiatives that support every demographic within the Troop 2 community. We have already participated in a community event organized by Mr. Harris on January 31^st. Mr. Harris teamed up with Los Intocables, Herr’s, Coca Cola, Pepsi, the Hope Center, and many other community partners to provide 1,000 free hot meals to the local community. This event was held at the Wilton Boulevard complex and was also attended by members of Troop 2 and elected officials.

Troop 2 Criminal Investigations: Mr. Josh Hall, COO – Cardio Kinetics

The Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit Honorary Commander for 2023 is Josh Hall. Josh is the Chief Operating Officer of CardioKinetics, Inc., a cardiac rehabilitation and preventive medicine facility headquartered in Newark. Josh’s father Thomas Hall founded CardioKinetics as the first cardiac rehab facility in Delaware in 1979. CardioKinetics provides preventive medical services (cardiac rehabilitation, medical and fitness screenings and training) to many people and organizations throughout the United States. Josh has over 23 years of experience in the healthcare industry. During this time, Josh has worked in almost every facet of the business, from cardiac rehabilitation to clinical exercise testing as well as business operations and development. For the last 15 years Josh’s brother Matt has been working at CardioKinetics as well.

Josh attended Saint Mark’s High School in Wilmington and played both football and lacrosse. Lacrosse took Josh to Michigan State University where he began his formal education in this field. Josh then transferred to the University of Delaware where he continued to develop his skills in the classroom as well as on the lacrosse field. After graduating from the University of Delaware, Josh took a position working for the family business at CardioKinetics. He has served athletes of all ages, corporate employees, and business leaders as well as public safety officers and departments across the country. CardioKinetics serves the Delaware State Police by administering DSP’s annual physical fitness testing.

Troop 3: Mr. La Mar Gunn, Chairman & CEO – Gunn Wealth Management

Troop 3 is proud to introduce Mr. La Mar Gunn, Sr. as the 2023 Honorary Troop Commander. Mr. Gunn is a native of Los Angeles, California, who came to Delaware as a student at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University. After completing his graduate studies, he made Dover his home and is committed to helping build a strong and vibrant community.

Mr. Gunn is the proud owner of Gunn Wealth Management, a past two-term president of the Central Delaware NAACP, a thirty-year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a retired NCAA Division I football crew chief/referee, and has served as the Honorary Chief of Police at the Dover Police Department. He is the founder of Sports Officials of America and of the DREAM Association. The DREAM Association (Delaware Recreation Education Athletics and Mentoring) is a non-profit foundation that focuses on sparking economic and social upward mobility by intervening in the lives of children through sports, education, and financial literacy. DREAM demonstrates Mr. Gunn’s personal commitment to building powerful and positive youth in our community.

Troop 4: Mr. Ken Adams, President – Melvin L. Joseph Construction Co., Inc. (not pictured)

Mr. Ken Adams is the 2023 Troop 4 Honorary Commander. Since 2005, Ken has been the President and CEO of Melvin L. Joseph Construction Co., Inc. In addition to Melvin L. Joseph Construction, he is also the owner of the other Melvin L. Joseph companies that include Stockley Materials, M.L. Joseph Sand and Gravel, Mr. Mulch, JD Shuckers in Georgetown, First State Flag, Iron Source Equipment, Georgetown Speedway, and many others.

For many years, Ken Adams has been active in communities throughout Sussex County and the State. He is a supporter of Camp Barnes, the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, local school programs, the Georgetown Fire Co., local Little League, and other youth sports and youth programs. Not only does he sponsor these programs but he also volunteers his time in support of them. Additionally, Ken Adams and the Melvin L. Joseph companies have been supporters of the annual Camp Barnes Benefit Stock Race and other Camp Barnes fundraising events, ensuring that boys and girls throughout the state enjoy weeks at camp during the summer at no cost.

Troop 5: Mr. Kevin Evans, Owner – Evans Farms, LLC

Troop 5 is proud to announce its 2023 Honorary Commander, Kevin Evans. A third-generation farmer, Evans owns and operates Evans Farms in Bridgeville, Delaware. Established in 1943, Evans Farms tills approximately 3,000 acres of fruits, vegetables, and grains. A graduate of Woodbridge High School, Evans expanded the family business to include an on-farm market and co-founded The Frozen Farmer, an on-farm creamery and national ice cream brand. Evans recently purchased a second farm market, T.S. Smith & Sons Orchard Point Market in Bridgeville, which also includes a bakery and deli. Evans also co-owns Sussex Protection Service and Sussex Flagging, a traffic safety and flagging service headquartered in Seaford, Delaware.

Throughout his entrepreneurial career, Evans has served on many boards and committees including the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Board, former chairman of the Delaware Soybean Board, Delaware Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Board, Delaware Small Business Advisory Committee, former president of the Mar-Del Watermelon Association Board, Southern Delaware Tourism Board, and State of Delaware Farm Service Agency Board.

Troop 6: Mr. Ian Mclarthy, President – Belvedere Fire Company

The Troop 6 Honorary Commander for 2023 is Mr. Ian Mclarthy. Ian was born in Kingston, Jamaica in the late 1970’s and immigrated to the United States in 1990. Ian then attended Delcastle High School and was a member of their 1998 graduating class. A carpenter by trade, Ian worked with the International Construction Company after graduation. For the past 22 years, he has worked with Cermet Materials Incorporated. Cermet is headquartered in Newport, Delaware and Ian is a supervisor with the company.

Ian Mclarthy has a heart for duty and service. In 1998, he joined the Belvedere Volunteer Fire Company and continues to be an active member of the organization. Ian is a lifetime member of the fire company and has held numerous leadership positions. He has held the positions of Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and Vice President. Currently, Mr. Mclarthy is the President of the Fire Company and has held that role for two years. Ian has also served on the Board of Directors for Eco Plastics Products of Delaware for the last four years.

Troop 7: Mr. Scott Kammerer, CEO – SoDel Concepts

The Troop 7 Honorary Commander for 2023 is Scott Kammerer. Scott is CEO of SoDel Concepts, which owns 22 business operations. Scott has won a myriad of business awards over the years including the Marvin S. Gilman Superstar in Business Award and the Cornerstone Award for Lifetime Achievement. He has also been named Best Business Leader in Delaware by the Delaware News Journal and is regarded among the most influential restaurant executives in the nation. Scott is also a sitting member of the National Restaurant Association. In 2013, after working for many years for SoDel Concepts under mentor Matt Haley, Scott was appointed president of the company. After Matt’s untimely and tragic death in 2014, Scott and his family, along with Alan Levin and Dan Levin, purchased SoDel Concepts from the estate of Matt Haley. In 2015, Scott founded SoDel Cares, a charity that raises funds for causes that benefit children, at-risk youth, adults reentering society from the prison system, and the elderly who need assistance. Beneficiaries include the Rehoboth Beach Boys & Girls Club, The Harry K. Foundation, and Pathways to Success. To date, SoDel Concepts has given over $900,000 in grants to local charities.

Over the last 20 years, Scott Kammerer has established himself as a premier developer of restaurant companies and concepts on the East Coast. Scott is a founding partner of Highwater Management, Haley Kammerer Restaurant Consulting, and Matt’s Homemade Sodas.

Troop 9: Dr. Amanda Conley, Principal – Middletown High School

The 2023 Honorary Commander for Troop 9 is Dr. Amanda Conley. She is a life-long resident of the State of Delaware. Amanda is currently the principal of Middletown High School in the Appoquinimink School District. As a high school principal, Amanda is a visible member of the MOT community. She is passionate about building a positive school culture and creating relationships with students. Middletown High School is an innovative, community-connected school that is dedicated to fostering a culture of mutual care and intuitional pride, demonstrating excellence across all disciplines, and offering real-world experiences for all students.

Amanda attended Saint Mark’s High School and the University of Delaware, majoring in Psychology Education. She also attended Wilmington University and earned her M.Ed. in Educational Technology and her Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation. Prior to her work in the Appoquinimink School District, Amanda worked in alternative education at Parkway Academy and taught social studies at both Saint Mark’s and Glasgow High Schools.

Aviation: Lt. Col. Michael Hales, Director of Aviation – Delaware State University

The 2023 Honorary Commander for the Aviation Unit is Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Michael A. Hales. He is the current Director of Aviation Programs at Delaware State University. He leads an experienced and dedicated staff of faculty and instructors who serve over 100 students, utilizing a fleet of university-owned airplanes.

Lieutenant Colonel Hales is 25-year veteran of the United States Army who served as an aviation officer at multiple levels of key leadership positions and responsibility. Growing up in Dayton, Ohio and South Bend, Indiana, he began his military career in 1987 as an enlisted soldier in the US Army Reserves. In 1994, he was commissioned as an Second Lieutenant and attended flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama. His military assignments have taken him to multiple locations within the United States and overseas to South Korea, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia. Lieutenant Colonel Hales has flown in combat and deployed five times, beginning with Operation Desert Storm back in 1991.

Lieutenant Colonel Hales is considered a subject matter expert in aviation operations, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance training. He is an FAA Commercial Pilot, dual-rated in both airplanes and helicopters. He possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree from Excelsior College and a Master of Arts degree in Procurement and Acquisition Management from Webster University.

Academy: Rev. Dr. Christopher A. Bullock, Pastor – Canaan Baptist Church of Delaware (not pictured)

The Training Academy is proud to welcome Reverend Dr. Christopher Bullock as its 2023 Honorary Commander. Reverend Bullock is a native of Wichita, Kansas, with roots in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He is the founder and Pastor of the Canaan Baptist Church of Delaware. He has presided over one of the most effective urban ministry models for church planting and growth in America. In November 2012, Dr. Bullock was overwhelmingly elected as the first African American President of the New Castle County Council. He is the former Chairman of the Delaware Black Caucus and a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.

From 1998 to 2004, Dr. Bullock served as Pastor of the Historic Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Bullock also served as an Illinois State Commissioner on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. During the period from 1990 to 1998, he served as Pastor of the historic Eighth Street Baptist Church of Wilmington, Delaware. He also served as a Delaware State Commissioner on Minority Health and Delaware State Commissioner on Public Integrity. He has been honored by many local, national, and international organizations for his work and ministry, and he is the author of two books, “The Social Mission of the Black Church: A Call to Action” and “A Charge to Keep.”

Pastor Bullock earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary and completed his post-doctoral work at Harvard University Divinity School. Additionally, he earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Colgate-Rochester Divinity School / Crozer Seminary and a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

Office of Strategic Development: Mrs. Donna Bell and Mr. Harry Bell, Founders – “A Suite for Harry’s Heroes”

On behalf of the OSD, we would like to introduce this year’s Honorary Commanders, Mr. Harry Bell and Mrs. Donna Bell. As a teenager, Harry started working for his father’s painting company Bell Painting. In 1996 Harry and Donna bought the company from Harry’s mother and father, which today is known as Bell Painting and Wallcovering, Inc., which they still own and operate.

Harry and Donna have traveled to many countries over the years. Some of their passions while traveling overseas include caring for children in need and teaching finance classes, in addition to whatever comes their way. After 20 years of helping the underprivileged overseas, Donna and Harry decided to bring their services home. A Suite for Harry’s Heroes was created on December 2, 2017 as a way to say “thank you” to the military, police and first responders. In 2017, it started with tickets to ten games at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. In 2018 it continued to grow with Donna signing a 5-year lease for the loft they now own. A self-funded organization, A Suite For Harry’s Heroes is run out of their Townsend, Delaware home. Each year they distribute tickets for 42 Philadelphia Flyers games, 20 Philadelphia 76ers games, six Boston Red Sox games, and one Boston Bruins game. This season they will be adding a few Phillies tickets to the list.

State Bureau of Identification: Mrs. Jennifer Rambo, Marketing Director – Mission BBQ, Dover

The State Bureau of Identification Honorary Commander for 2023 is Mrs. Jennifer Rambo. Jennifer was born and raised in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Jennifer comes from a family that embodies public service. Her father served in the United States Army, and her mother served as a probation and parole officer in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Jennifer’s stepfather served in the United States Navy and completed a 35-year law enforcement career. Jennifer began her commitment to the community before she relocated to Delaware, serving as a foster parent to four siblings.

Jennifer has always enjoyed working for community-focused companies. Jennifer worked for Chick-Fil-A and now works as the Community Ambassador for Mission Barbeque. As the Community Ambassador for Mission Barbeque, Jennifer is responsible for representing and marketing the Mission Barbeque brand throughout the community. Jennifer enjoys working with public service organizations like law enforcement, fire/EMS, the military, and other first responders.

Jennifer has previously served as the Honorary Commander to various Dover Air Force Base units and is the 2023 Armed Forces Mortuary Affairs Operations Honorary Commander. Jennifer also serves on the board of Delaware Crimestoppers and supports Delaware’s VFW and American Legion organizations.

Traffic: Mr. Gerald Nagyiski, Chief Safety Officer – DelDOT

The Traffic Section welcomes Gerald (“Jerry”) Nagyiski, Jr. as its Honorary Commander for 2023. Jerry has been the Chief Safety Officer for the Delaware Department of Transportation for over 15 years and has been with DelDOT for over 23 years, serving Delaware to the highest standards.

Jerry routinely works in conjunction with the State Police for events and presidential motorcades and has an excellent working relationship with administrators and investigators to reach collective goals. He has dedicated his career to the safety of all road users which has earned him several Governor’s Excellence awards. He was also recognized as the DelDOT Employee of the Year and State Employee of the Year.

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