Board of Directors

Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha: Nnamdi is a native of Wilmington and is the son of noted grass-roots community activist William Hicks Anderson. Mr. Chukwuocha is Associate Executive Director at Kingswood Community Center in Northeast Wilmington and has over 20 years experience working directly with inner city youth and their families.

Vandell (Van) Hampton, Jr.: Van currently serves as Executive Director of First State Community Loan Fund in Wilmington, Delaware. First State Community Loan Fund is a not-for-profit Community Development Financial Institution that specializes in providing financing for small businesses, micro enterprises, and affordable housing developers throughout the State of Delaware. In 1993, Mr. Hampton earned a BS in Marketing from Delaware State University. Van lives in Wilmington with his wife and four children.

Tarik J. Haskins: Tarik Haskins is an attorney with the law firm of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP and practices in the area of business and corporate law.  Mr. Haskins serves on many non-profit boards in the Wilmington area.  Mr. Haskins is an active member of Canaan Baptist Church in Wilmington and serves as one of the Church’s Youth Directors.

Donald Mell: Don is a longtime resident of Wilmington. He is currently engaged in the real estate business with Patterson-Schwartz and is active with the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Mell serves as Treasurer of the Board of Meals on Wheels, Delaware, is a Wilmington Housing Authority Commissioner, and is a Board member on the Mt. Olives Cemetery Preservation Fund.

Rodney Merriweather: Rod is a lifelong professional within the Wilmington community. Prior to his work as a Senior Marketing Manager and Consultant, he built a 24-year career with DuPont, working in a variety of marketing, business and financial leadership roles. Mr. Merriweather received an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, majoring in Finance and Marketing, and a B.B.A. in Business Management from the University of Notre Dame.

Reverend Vincent P. Oliver: Rev. Oliver served nearly three decades at and was Executive Director of the Kingswood Community Center until retiring in May 2006. He has served as a member of the New Castle County Ethics Commission, and the Communities in Schools of Delaware Board of Directors. He received undergraduate and post-graduate training from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI, and Michigan State University. He has served as the senior pastor of the New Calvary Baptist Church of South Wilmington for the past 20 years.

Jason Reeves: Jason is a tax analyst for DuPont and brings more than 10 years of professional experience ranging from research and development, manufacturing, sales, and tax. Mr. Reeves has volunteered with many nonprofit organizations throughout Wilmington and is active in various networks within DuPont and the Wilmington area. Mr. Reeves holds a B.S. in Biology from Mansfield University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Wilmington College.

Dr. Rita Vasta: Rita is a certified Science teacher at The Charter School of Wilmington and works with the Delaware Department of Education in the development and assessment of the State Science Standards. Prior to becoming an educator, she had a long career in industrial chemistry working in research and management at DuPont. Dr. Vasta earned an M.S. in Chemistry, and a Ph.D in Physical Chemistry from Drexel University.

Terry Vodery: Terry is the Director of Development for the College of Human Services, Education, and Public Policy at the University of Delaware.  Prior to joining the University of Delaware, Terry was a fundraiser for United Way.  A native Delawarean, Terry is also an ordained minister currently serving the ministry at Word of Life Christian Center in Newark.