Bob Stickels named Dewey Beach town manager
Bob Stickels, former Sussex County administrator and Georgetown town manager, has been hired as town manager of Dewey Beach, Mayor Diane Hanson said April 5.
“With his impressive record of excellence in Sussex County management, Bob brings to Dewey Beach tremendous experience and knowledge and very valuable personal connections that will help our town move forward. We are delighted to have him be part of our community,” Hanson said.
Stickels said he had been keeping an eye on the position for several months. “I knew the town had been without a full-time town manager for nine months. I thought it was time to get back into public management to offer the town my experience,” he said.
Stickels most recently was coordinator for Kent and Sussex counties for the office of Delaware U. S. Rep. John Carney. He has special expertise in land-use planning and water and wastewater issues.
The Georgetown resident moved to Sussex County from New Jersey his junior year of high school. He was Georgetown town manager from 1981 to 1983 and then from 1985 to 1988.
“I look forward to working closely with the town council and the businesses and residents of Dewey Beach on the many challenges and opportunities facing the town. Since I am familiar with the people and places that make this community special, I am excited to be taking an active part in Dewey Beach's future,” Stickels said.
Stickels retired in November 2006 after serving as Sussex County administrator for 18 years.
Stickels was Sussex administrator during a time of great growth in the county. He said when he started as administrator the county had 183 employees and a $14.8 million budget; by the time he retired the county had a staff of 550 employees and a $140 million budget.
During Stickel's tenure with the county, more than $250 million in wastewater infrastructure was added, the countywide paramedic system was instituted, the first land-use plan was drafted and he started negotiations for the aircraft airframe mechanics associate degree program in collaboration with Delaware Technical Community College.
After leaving the county, he served as a consultant for two Sussex engineering firms before joining Carney's staff in February 2011.
Stickels and his wife Janice have vacationed in Dewey for 20 years. “Dewey is a special place with a lot to offer to everyone,” he said.
Hanson said Stickels will have an 18-month contract with an option to renew for another year by mutual agreement. He will start his new job Monday, April 9.
At 65, Stickels said retirement is not a word he uses. “Retirement is not anything I'm considering any time soon,” he said.
