Sussex names Pfaff director of economic development

Sussex officials introduced William F. Pfaff as the county's new director of economic development. Chosen from a field of 19 applicants, Pfaff is expected to begin work May 22. 

Introduced during a May 9 county council meeting, Pfaff brings more than 35 years of experience working in the local economy, first as a small business owner and most recently as a business liaison through a public-private partnership. County Administrator Todd Lawson said that experience will be an asset in promoting Sussex and attracting new commerce.

"Bill has the right mix of experience on both sides of the equation. He personally understands the challenges small businesses face as a one-time business owner himself, and he knows how to access resources," Lawson said. "We expect him to hit the ground running."

Pfaff, of Millsboro, holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from York College of Pennsylvania and comes to county government from the Delaware Small Business Development Center. Since 1993, he has served as local director, building the Sussex County office from the ground up.

As local director, he assisted hundreds of businesses by providing training and access to lenders and by developing marketing and business plans for newly recruited businesses, startups and expanding operations. Those have included breweries and distilleries as well as food production plants, farm-based ice cream stands, early-learning centers, restaurants and car washes.

Pfaff earlier served briefly as a program developer at Delaware Technical Community College's Owens Campus. For 11 years before that, he owned and operated a local Sears Roebuck & Co. franchise. He also serves or has served on local boards and committees, including as an officer of the Georgetown and Millsboro chambers of commerce, as a member of the Easter Seals advisory board, and as a founding member of the Sussex Academy of Arts & Sciences.

Pfaff will lead the county's economic development office, which works closely with business leaders, chambers of commerce, civic organizations and others, and oversees the county business incentive and loan programs.

"It has been my honor to work with the Sussex County business community for most of my career, and I look forward to the new challenge ahead as economic development director," Pfaff said. "Sussex County has an excellent track record for providing a pro-business climate, and I am anxious to be a catalyst that will help create jobs for our residents."

Council President Michael H. Vincent said Pfaff is a respected member of the local business community. "Bill is all about business, and we are fortunate to have him on the team," Vincent said. Pfaff fills a months-long vacancy following the death last year of then-Economic Development Director Melody Booker-Wilkins.