Delaware Chamber of Commerce leader resigns

Less than a year after accepting the job as leader of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, Joan Verplanck has resigned.

 

Chairman of the DSCC Board of Directors Hinton Lucas officially announced Verplanck’s resignation Monday afternoon.  “Joan is a competent, thoughtful and accomplished leader,” Lucas said in a written statement that gave no indication as to why she left her job just nine months in.  “We are thankful for her leadership and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”  

Verplanck was only the second woman in the DSCC’s history to hold the job of president and CEO at the chamber.  Before taking the job at the Delaware chamber, she led the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.  

Just a few weeks ago, Verplanck talked with WHYY’s Shirley Min about her job and Delaware’s somewhat insular nature.  “If I picture Delaware, and picture all the Delawareans standing on the border all around the way around, I sense that they would all be looking at each other with their back to the rest of the world,” Verplanck said.  “It’s very inward.  It’s because everybody knows everybody.  But the challenge for us is how do we look over our shoulder into the opportunities in the bigger world.”

The DSCC’s longtime senior vice president Rich Heffron will serve as interim president while the board searches for a replacement over the next few months.

—

Shirley Min’s interview with Verplanck was featured First on the Nov. 1.  You can watch that story below.  First airs Friday nights at 5:30 and 11 p.m.