PEOPLE: PROFESSIONALS
Robert W. Ross
Vice President, Disaster Preparedness
Bob manages and guides Delta's Disaster Preparedness practice area. His range of project experience includes management of the Pennsylvania Department of Health in its response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, assessing the Delaware Division of Public Health’s response to Hurricane Sandy, and developing medical needs shelter plans for nine southern New Jersey counties. Previously, Bob was the Administrator for the Public Health Preparedness Section of the Delaware Division of Public Health. He also spent several years working for a homeland security consulting firm in Washington D.C. and has served as a county-level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training Officer and an EMS Training Coordinator for the State of Delaware.
Vice President, Disaster Preparedness
Bob manages and guides Delta's Disaster Preparedness practice area. His range of project experience includes management of the Pennsylvania Department of Health in its response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, assessing the Delaware Division of Public Health’s response to Hurricane Sandy, and developing medical needs shelter plans for nine southern New Jersey counties. Previously, Bob was the Administrator for the Public Health Preparedness Section of the Delaware Division of Public Health. He also spent several years working for a homeland security consulting firm in Washington D.C. and has served as a county-level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training Officer and an EMS Training Coordinator for the State of Delaware.
Louis P. Roth, MPA
Director of Government Relations
Lou manages the firm’s state and federal government relations practice area. His brings unique insight and perspective to the legislative process and is adept at simplifying complex legislative issues. Prior to his time at Delta, Lou worked for Holston & Associates, a government relations firm located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He also worked in a variety of roles for U.S. Representative George Gekas in Washington, D.C.
Director of Government Relations
Lou manages the firm’s state and federal government relations practice area. His brings unique insight and perspective to the legislative process and is adept at simplifying complex legislative issues. Prior to his time at Delta, Lou worked for Holston & Associates, a government relations firm located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He also worked in a variety of roles for U.S. Representative George Gekas in Washington, D.C.
Bonnie Wilkinson Mark
Principal, Historic Resources and Tax Credit Services
Bonnie has more than 29 years of experience working with historic resources and the use of historic tax credits. Because of her strong public-sector experience, Bonnie was responsible for the technical review and administration of the Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit program (historic tax credits) for Pennsylvania.
Principal, Historic Resources and Tax Credit Services
Bonnie has more than 29 years of experience working with historic resources and the use of historic tax credits. Because of her strong public-sector experience, Bonnie was responsible for the technical review and administration of the Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit program (historic tax credits) for Pennsylvania.
Rebecca Burk
Principal
Using her research and writing skills, Rebecca produces effective, high-quality grant applications and project briefing
materials for clients. Her work experience in the public and private sections has given her a solid foundation for understanding political structures and insight in the legislative process. Prior to Delta, Rebecca assisted state representatives with both policy research and pilot program development.
Principal
Using her research and writing skills, Rebecca produces effective, high-quality grant applications and project briefing
materials for clients. Her work experience in the public and private sections has given her a solid foundation for understanding political structures and insight in the legislative process. Prior to Delta, Rebecca assisted state representatives with both policy research and pilot program development.
Christian Muniz
Senior Consultant
Christian joins Delta Development Group after more than 20 years of public and private sector experience focused on Pennsylvania state government. Over that time, his work for clients has included community and economic development incentives, tax and pension reform, and a multitude of legislative policies. He brings project management and leadership skills to the service of Delta’s clients. Most recently, Christian served as a contract lobbyist with Pugliese Associates. Within state government, he served as a legislative staffer to a former House leader and later as the Legislative Director at the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under former Governor Ed Rendell. Christian is a Navy veteran, having served as a cryptologist from 1988 through 1994. Today he also volunteers his time as an appointed Planning Commissioner for Carlisle Borough.
Senior Consultant
Christian joins Delta Development Group after more than 20 years of public and private sector experience focused on Pennsylvania state government. Over that time, his work for clients has included community and economic development incentives, tax and pension reform, and a multitude of legislative policies. He brings project management and leadership skills to the service of Delta’s clients. Most recently, Christian served as a contract lobbyist with Pugliese Associates. Within state government, he served as a legislative staffer to a former House leader and later as the Legislative Director at the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under former Governor Ed Rendell. Christian is a Navy veteran, having served as a cryptologist from 1988 through 1994. Today he also volunteers his time as an appointed Planning Commissioner for Carlisle Borough.
Janine Pappalardo
Senior Consultant
As a Senior Consultant with 25+ years’ experience in business development, sales, and government procurement, Janine leads Delta’s Procurement Services practice. Prior to joining Delta, Janine worked as the Director of Procurement for a contract lobbying firm where, for nearly a decade, she assisted clients in successfully attaining contracts within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Working with Fortune 100 Companies as well as regional and small, and small diverse businesses, Janine has actively managed all aspects of procurement assistance to include, but not limited to, client introductions and presentations, proposal pursuit and response, direct sales and lobbying to the Governor’s Office, the Administration and all the State Agencies, Boards, Offices and Commissions. Janine has secured a myriad of awards for clients in Information Technology, Telecom, Healthcare, Marketing and Advertising, Medical and IT Staffing, Pharmaceutical, Accounting and Finance, Engineering, Design and Construction.
Senior Consultant
As a Senior Consultant with 25+ years’ experience in business development, sales, and government procurement, Janine leads Delta’s Procurement Services practice. Prior to joining Delta, Janine worked as the Director of Procurement for a contract lobbying firm where, for nearly a decade, she assisted clients in successfully attaining contracts within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Working with Fortune 100 Companies as well as regional and small, and small diverse businesses, Janine has actively managed all aspects of procurement assistance to include, but not limited to, client introductions and presentations, proposal pursuit and response, direct sales and lobbying to the Governor’s Office, the Administration and all the State Agencies, Boards, Offices and Commissions. Janine has secured a myriad of awards for clients in Information Technology, Telecom, Healthcare, Marketing and Advertising, Medical and IT Staffing, Pharmaceutical, Accounting and Finance, Engineering, Design and Construction.
Lynda Conway
Senior Consultant
Lynda has more than 30 years of experience in public transportation, including a 28-year career at Port Authority of Allegheny County where she retired as Assistant General Manager of Planning and Service Development. She used her expertise gained at Port Authority to successfully complete a wide variety of public transportation projects for Clear View Strategies, and has joined the Delta team where she advances clients’ transit projects.
Senior Consultant
Lynda has more than 30 years of experience in public transportation, including a 28-year career at Port Authority of Allegheny County where she retired as Assistant General Manager of Planning and Service Development. She used her expertise gained at Port Authority to successfully complete a wide variety of public transportation projects for Clear View Strategies, and has joined the Delta team where she advances clients’ transit projects.
Carol Lee, Ph.D
Senior Consultant
Carol has over 35 years of experience working with local history and focuses primarily on the significance section for National Register of Historic Places nominations and Part 1 of the Historic Preservation Certification applications. Previously, she retired as the coordinator for the National Register and Survey Program at the Bureau for Historic Preservation, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. She was the project manager and participated in the development of statewide contexts for African American Resources, historic educational resources, and the agricultural context.
Senior Consultant
Carol has over 35 years of experience working with local history and focuses primarily on the significance section for National Register of Historic Places nominations and Part 1 of the Historic Preservation Certification applications. Previously, she retired as the coordinator for the National Register and Survey Program at the Bureau for Historic Preservation, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. She was the project manager and participated in the development of statewide contexts for African American Resources, historic educational resources, and the agricultural context.
Elizabeth Hess, CBCP
Senior Consultant
Elizabeth (Liz) Hess assists through all stages of developing, maintaining, and testing clients' emergency preparedness. Prior to joining Delta’s Disaster Preparedness Solutions Team, Liz spent two internships at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in the Emergency Preparedness Department. Through this experience, Liz formed planning teams, developed a comprehensive hospital evacuation plan, and established a training and exercise program. In addition to disaster preparedness, Liz is also a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) with demonstrated experience in business continuity/continuity of operations (COOP).
Senior Consultant
Elizabeth (Liz) Hess assists through all stages of developing, maintaining, and testing clients' emergency preparedness. Prior to joining Delta’s Disaster Preparedness Solutions Team, Liz spent two internships at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in the Emergency Preparedness Department. Through this experience, Liz formed planning teams, developed a comprehensive hospital evacuation plan, and established a training and exercise program. In addition to disaster preparedness, Liz is also a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) with demonstrated experience in business continuity/continuity of operations (COOP).
Dane Higbee
Senior Consultant
Dane brings in-depth analytical and writing skills to Delta’s team. At Delta, Dane assists the Community & Economic Planning and Private Funding teams with delivering accurate and client-oriented deliverable products. Prior to joining Delta, he graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. As a student at Indiana, he was able to amass skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, data research, report writing, and GIS mapping. Dane also has insight into the public planning process through his internship with Franklin County, Pennsylvania’s Planning Department.
Senior Consultant
Dane brings in-depth analytical and writing skills to Delta’s team. At Delta, Dane assists the Community & Economic Planning and Private Funding teams with delivering accurate and client-oriented deliverable products. Prior to joining Delta, he graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. As a student at Indiana, he was able to amass skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, data research, report writing, and GIS mapping. Dane also has insight into the public planning process through his internship with Franklin County, Pennsylvania’s Planning Department.
Edward Durst, Jr.
Senior Consultant
Edward (Ed) Durst brings over 16 years’ experience in both state and local emergency operations management and healthcare emergency management. He has developed and led numerous exercises, to include mass casualty response, hospital and governmental facility evacuations, and business and downtime continuity exercises, from conception through the after-action review process, utilizing the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) concepts. He has developed multiple annual hazard vulnerability assessments (HVAs), written both healthcare centric and state emergency operation plans, with an all-hazards focus encompassing the key elements of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, and he has led a 60-person hospital incident management team through both natural and manmade disasters and during cyber response incidents.
Senior Consultant
Edward (Ed) Durst brings over 16 years’ experience in both state and local emergency operations management and healthcare emergency management. He has developed and led numerous exercises, to include mass casualty response, hospital and governmental facility evacuations, and business and downtime continuity exercises, from conception through the after-action review process, utilizing the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) concepts. He has developed multiple annual hazard vulnerability assessments (HVAs), written both healthcare centric and state emergency operation plans, with an all-hazards focus encompassing the key elements of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, and he has led a 60-person hospital incident management team through both natural and manmade disasters and during cyber response incidents.
Diane Lizambri
Consultant
Over the past 20 years, Diane’s responsibilities have included managing the administration of Delta’s network infrastructure, collaborating with the IT team on application development projects, creating graphic design artwork; and assuming the role of quality assurance analyst, lead product trainer, and technical writer for Delta’s emergency management solutions software. Diane contributes to Delta’s Disaster Preparedness Solutions team by participating in exercise planning and personnel support for exercise conduct.
Consultant
Over the past 20 years, Diane’s responsibilities have included managing the administration of Delta’s network infrastructure, collaborating with the IT team on application development projects, creating graphic design artwork; and assuming the role of quality assurance analyst, lead product trainer, and technical writer for Delta’s emergency management solutions software. Diane contributes to Delta’s Disaster Preparedness Solutions team by participating in exercise planning and personnel support for exercise conduct.
Crystal Mallory
Consultant
Crystal posses over 20 years of continuous leadership and management experience in the disciplines of health services and education and training. With her extensive military background in the United States Air Force, Crystal brings experience in disease and disability education, care, and evaluation of nursing care. In addition, she has provided disaster training for medical and non-medical personnel, and has obtained intermediate to expert fluency with programs associated with various medical systems.
Consultant
Crystal posses over 20 years of continuous leadership and management experience in the disciplines of health services and education and training. With her extensive military background in the United States Air Force, Crystal brings experience in disease and disability education, care, and evaluation of nursing care. In addition, she has provided disaster training for medical and non-medical personnel, and has obtained intermediate to expert fluency with programs associated with various medical systems.
Connor Williams
Consultant
Connor brings a blend of political and non-profit management knowledge and in-depth analytical and writing skills
to Delta’s team. His experience at various levels of government and his work in Washington, D.C. has given him a wide pool of experience to better serve Delta and its clientele. Prior to working at Delta, Connor graduated from the Ohio State University, where he studied Public Policy Analysis and worked in several internships over his college career, including an internship for his home district’s Congressional Representative in Washington D.C., conducting policy and economic research at those sites.
Consultant
Connor brings a blend of political and non-profit management knowledge and in-depth analytical and writing skills
to Delta’s team. His experience at various levels of government and his work in Washington, D.C. has given him a wide pool of experience to better serve Delta and its clientele. Prior to working at Delta, Connor graduated from the Ohio State University, where he studied Public Policy Analysis and worked in several internships over his college career, including an internship for his home district’s Congressional Representative in Washington D.C., conducting policy and economic research at those sites.
Noah Elmore
Consultant
Noah posses an extensive background in software analysis. While pursuing his advanced degrees’s, Noah had the opportunity to gain extensive experience with ArcGIS, and familiarizing himself with a variety of programs including AutoCAD, IBM SPSS, R, and SketchUp. He utilizes these skills to best analyze and report on topics, such as emergency/disaster planning, historic preservation, land use, real estate planning and sustainability/resiliency. Prior to joining Delta, Noah worked as an intern for Somerset, Ohio where he worked with the mayor to reinvigorate the downtown core of the village while pursuing policies to maintain its historic character. Noah also worked under the Fire Chief of the Mifflin Township Division of Fire, in Columbus, OH assisting the Chief in spatial and statistical analysis of his district.
Consultant
Noah posses an extensive background in software analysis. While pursuing his advanced degrees’s, Noah had the opportunity to gain extensive experience with ArcGIS, and familiarizing himself with a variety of programs including AutoCAD, IBM SPSS, R, and SketchUp. He utilizes these skills to best analyze and report on topics, such as emergency/disaster planning, historic preservation, land use, real estate planning and sustainability/resiliency. Prior to joining Delta, Noah worked as an intern for Somerset, Ohio where he worked with the mayor to reinvigorate the downtown core of the village while pursuing policies to maintain its historic character. Noah also worked under the Fire Chief of the Mifflin Township Division of Fire, in Columbus, OH assisting the Chief in spatial and statistical analysis of his district.
Maggie McGahen
Consultant
Maggie brings a thorough understanding of economic theory and modeling approaches, combined with in-depth analytical and critical thinking skills to Delta’s team. She has a deep understanding of economic data and the appropriate methods of analysis to interpret data. Prior to joining Delta she graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and interned at the 41st National Presidential Nominating Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. She also served as a Congressional Office intern for the United States House of Representatives and as a Congressional Committee intern for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, specifically in the subcommittee of the Coast Guard and Maritime. During the summer of 2018, Maggie assisted the economic development team for her hometown to revitalize their main street, where she gained hands-on experience and understanding on adapting and implementing new ideas.
Consultant
Maggie brings a thorough understanding of economic theory and modeling approaches, combined with in-depth analytical and critical thinking skills to Delta’s team. She has a deep understanding of economic data and the appropriate methods of analysis to interpret data. Prior to joining Delta she graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and interned at the 41st National Presidential Nominating Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. She also served as a Congressional Office intern for the United States House of Representatives and as a Congressional Committee intern for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, specifically in the subcommittee of the Coast Guard and Maritime. During the summer of 2018, Maggie assisted the economic development team for her hometown to revitalize their main street, where she gained hands-on experience and understanding on adapting and implementing new ideas.
Joshua Walter
Consultant
Joshua has been working as an emergency management and disaster preparedness consultant and has helped with the development of several CPG-101-compliant emergency operations plans. His work and academic experience have provided him with an understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS); Incident Command System (ICS); hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessments; crisis communications; planning; and exercise design and evaluation. Before joining Delta, Joshua was an emergency planner with Savior Associates where he was involved in the development, execution, and evaluation of multiple HSEEP-consistent tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises, specifically in the public health and emergency services sectors. Additionally, Joshua was part of the project team to develop COVID-19 response after-action reports (AAR) and improvement plans (IP) for Johns Hopkins Health System, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Suburban Hospital, Howard County General Hospital, and Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.
Consultant
Joshua has been working as an emergency management and disaster preparedness consultant and has helped with the development of several CPG-101-compliant emergency operations plans. His work and academic experience have provided him with an understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS); Incident Command System (ICS); hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessments; crisis communications; planning; and exercise design and evaluation. Before joining Delta, Joshua was an emergency planner with Savior Associates where he was involved in the development, execution, and evaluation of multiple HSEEP-consistent tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises, specifically in the public health and emergency services sectors. Additionally, Joshua was part of the project team to develop COVID-19 response after-action reports (AAR) and improvement plans (IP) for Johns Hopkins Health System, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Suburban Hospital, Howard County General Hospital, and Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.
Joshua Gerber
Consultant
Josh joins Delta’s team as an associate after a year of interning with the firm. Throughout that time, he gained experience preparing comprehensive economic development grant proposals for nonprofit and government entities; writing support letters; as well as analyzing and reporting on both quantitative and qualitative community, economic, and financial data. He has helped secure funding for clients such as Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority, and others. Josh is a graduate of Messiah University where he gained a passion for global small business development and had the opportunity to develop business plans and strategies for clients in developing international communities.
Consultant
Josh joins Delta’s team as an associate after a year of interning with the firm. Throughout that time, he gained experience preparing comprehensive economic development grant proposals for nonprofit and government entities; writing support letters; as well as analyzing and reporting on both quantitative and qualitative community, economic, and financial data. He has helped secure funding for clients such as Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority, and others. Josh is a graduate of Messiah University where he gained a passion for global small business development and had the opportunity to develop business plans and strategies for clients in developing international communities.
Samantha Berman
Consultant
Sam has a variety of experience in disaster preparedness. While employed with Insight Global as a Case Investigator she worked independently conducting interviews with COVID-19 patients to determine how they may have contracted and spread COVID-19. She reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Health epidemiologists and assists in identifying outbreaks and high-risk cases of COVID-19. Working with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Joint Rapid Response Task Force, she used WebEOC to track COVID-19 outbreaks in K-12 schools. Sam is a member of Team Rubicon, an international disaster response nonprofit, who provides training in disaster planning, response , and recovery to provide rapid relief to communities in need. This opportunity provided her a chance to strengthen her knowledge of the incident command systems and incident management. With Team Rubicon she was deployed to Philadelphia, PA to assist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency COVID-19 vaccinations held at the Philadelphia Convention Center. She is also a member of Kenyon International Emergency Services as a team member who is contracted to respond to mass causality incidents.
Consultant
Sam has a variety of experience in disaster preparedness. While employed with Insight Global as a Case Investigator she worked independently conducting interviews with COVID-19 patients to determine how they may have contracted and spread COVID-19. She reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Health epidemiologists and assists in identifying outbreaks and high-risk cases of COVID-19. Working with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Joint Rapid Response Task Force, she used WebEOC to track COVID-19 outbreaks in K-12 schools. Sam is a member of Team Rubicon, an international disaster response nonprofit, who provides training in disaster planning, response , and recovery to provide rapid relief to communities in need. This opportunity provided her a chance to strengthen her knowledge of the incident command systems and incident management. With Team Rubicon she was deployed to Philadelphia, PA to assist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency COVID-19 vaccinations held at the Philadelphia Convention Center. She is also a member of Kenyon International Emergency Services as a team member who is contracted to respond to mass causality incidents.
Daniel J. Kennedy
Vice President, Funding Strategies
Dan Kennedy oversees and manages Delta’s private corporate incentive projects and clients. In this capacity, he secures local, state, and federal incentives for companies that are making new business investments. Prior to joining Delta, Dan held several senior management positions with the Governor’s Action Team, where he was instrumental in helping more than 300 businesses expand or locate in Pennsylvania. Some of the businesses he worked with include Lockheed Martin, Sony Electronics, Starbucks Coffee, and Cabela’s
Vice President, Funding Strategies
Dan Kennedy oversees and manages Delta’s private corporate incentive projects and clients. In this capacity, he secures local, state, and federal incentives for companies that are making new business investments. Prior to joining Delta, Dan held several senior management positions with the Governor’s Action Team, where he was instrumental in helping more than 300 businesses expand or locate in Pennsylvania. Some of the businesses he worked with include Lockheed Martin, Sony Electronics, Starbucks Coffee, and Cabela’s