Former Henlopen Acres mayor awarded Gilman Bowl by state chamber
Former Henlopen Acres Mayor David F. Lyons was posthumously awarded the Gilman Bowl by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce during the 22nd Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business awards celebration Nov. 4.
The Gilman Bowl was established as a tribute to small business leadership. It is named in memory of Marvin S. Gilman, who was long-time developer and member of the chamber before his death in 1998.
Lyons founded Lyons Companies in 1984. He built the business to be one of the region’s largest independent and privately held risk management and insurance brokerage firms. The company now has more than 50 employees and is a nationally recognized insurance advisory practice.
Lyons, who died in April 2018 at age 58, was a member of the board of trustees at the University of Delaware, chaired the board of trustees of the Delaware Council on Economic Education and founded the Economic Forecast event, bringing national economic policy makers together with business leaders in an annual forum.
According to Carlos Asarta, president of the DCEE and director of the CEEE, Lyons was devoted to educating children and adults about economics, personal finance and entrepreneurship. He said Lyons’ support enables the two programs to provide an effective education to hundreds of thousands of students who graduate as economically literate and productive citizens.
Lyons also served as vice chairman for the Delaware Business Roundtable, chaired the Garrett Lyons Dental Fellowship for Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, was a member of the Tatnall School’s Board of Trustees and chaired New Castle County Ducks Unlimited.
Lyons’ wife Catharine N. Lyons and two sons, David Jr. and Timothy, accepted the award.
“We are deeply honored to receive the Gilman Bowl on David’s behalf. He had an instinct for leadership and inspired us all with big ideas and the ability to make things happen,” said Catharine.
The awards event also honored five outstanding companies as Superstars in Business and Award of Excellence winners. Winner videos and event information can be found at www.dscc.com/superstarsinbusiness.
