marvin s. gilman superstars in business

The Superstars in Business award honors businesses and nonprofits for their outstanding achievements and model approaches to business and management. Established in 1998, the awards are given annually to extraordinary businesses in honor of Marvin S. Gilman, who was a distinguished small business leader in Delaware.

As president of Gilman Development Company, Marvin Gilman directed one of the most respected home-building companies in the Wilmington area. His leadership in service and fellowship organizations was extensive, and his honors include the Distinguished Citizen Award of the State of Delaware, induction into the National Housing Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Josiah Marvel Cup Award from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Marvin Gilman displayed the highest ethical standards, found innovative ways to improve the world around him, and inspired others to follow in his footsteps.

Save the Date! The 27th Annual Superstars in Business luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 5.  Contact Kerri Welcher at [email protected] for more information. 

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APPLY TO BE A SUPERSTAR IN BUSINESS!

The 2025 application is now open! Contact Kerri Welcher at [email protected] for more information.

IS YOUR BUSINESS OR NONPROFIT ​a superstar?

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eligibility:

• ​In business for at least three continuous years.
• 150 employees or fewer.
• Previous Award of Excellence recipients and applicants that were not selected for an award may resubmit their same application up to three years back.
• Previous Superstar winners may re-apply after five years.

How to apply:

• Applications must be submitted online. 
• Read the application thoroughly before beginning the online application.
• In order to save your work and return later, click 'save' and enter the email address you want the URL link sent to. This link allows you to return and continue working on your application.
• You have the ability to edit your application until the deadline.
• When are you finished and ready to submit, click 'submit'.
• Save the link on the confirmation page should you want to edit your application after submitting​

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS THURSDAY, JULY 17 at 4:30 PM.

Know a business or nonprofit who should apply? Contact Kerri Welcher at ​[email protected] or (302) 576-6566.

vIEW THE APPLICATION

DOWNLOAD THE 2025 APPLICATION AS A PDF

2024

Superstar Winners:

• 1-14 Employees - Courageous Hearts LLC (video)
• 15-40 Employees - RiversEdge Advisors (video)
• 41-150 Employees - Surf Bagel (video)
• Nonprofit - Delaware Nature Society (video)​

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: Lawrence J. DiSabatino

2023

Superstar Winners:

• 1-20 Employees - NERDiT NOW (video)
• 21-60 Employees - Breakwater Accounting & Advisory (video)
• 61-150 Employees - Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A. (video)
• Nonprofit - Children’s Beach House, Inc. (video)​

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: Pamela W. Cornforth

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2022

2021

Superstar Winners:

• 1-20 Employees - Action Unlimited Resources, Inc. (video)
• 21-50 Employees - L&W Insurance (video)
• 51-150 Employees - Schlosser & Associates Mechanical Contractors (video)
• Nonprofit - Jewish Family Services of Delaware (video)

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: Timothy U. Boulden

Superstar Winners:

• 1-20 Employees - Weiner Benefits Group, LLC (video)
• 21-60 Employees - Harvey, Hanna & Associates (video)
• 61-150 Employees - Adesis, Inc. (video)
• Nonprofit - Faithful Friends Animal Society (video)

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: John M. Burris (video)

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2020 - Watch our virtual ceremony

2019

Superstar Winners:

• 1-24 Employees - AlphaGraphics (video)
• 25-59 Employees - Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC (video)
• 60-150 Employees - Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (video)
• Nonprofit - Preston's March for Energy (video)

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: David F. Lyons, Sr.

Superstar Winners:

• 1-24 Employees - Bumpers & Company, Certified Public Accountants (video)
• 25-59 Employees - Ferris Home Improvements, LLC (video)
• 60-150 Employees - Assurance Media, LLC (video)
• Nonprofit - Exceptional Care for Children, Inc. (video)

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: E. Thomas Harvey, III

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2018

2017

Superstar Winners:

• 1-24 Employees - Promo Victory (video)
• 25-59 Employees - Cover & Rossiter (video)
• 60-150 Employees - Kuehne Company (video)
• Nonprofit - Delaware Humane Association (video) 

Superstar Winners:

• 1-30 Employees – B+H Insurance, LLC (video)
• 31-69 Employees – Karins and Associates (video)
• 70-150 Employees – Duffield Associates (video)
• Nonprofit – La Red Health Center (video)

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: Martha S. Gilman 

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: Peter Morrow

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2016

2015

Superstar Winners:

• 1-24 Employees – Metro Merchant Services (video)
• 25-59 Employees – Precision AirConvey Corporation (video)
• 60-150 Employees – EDiS Company (video)
• Nonprofit – Special Olympics Delaware (video)

Superstar Winners:

• 1-24 Employees – Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. (video)
• 25-59 Employees – Bernardon (video)
• 60-150 Employees – SoDel Concepts (video)
• Nonprofit – Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay (video)

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipients: Frank & Donna Masley

Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: Richard G. "Dick" Hatfield

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2014

2013

Superstar Winners:

• 1-24 Employees – MySherpa
• 25-59 Employees – BrightFields, Inc.
• 60-150 Employees – TekSolv, Inc.
• Nonprofit – St. Patrick's Center

Superstar Winners:

• 1-24 Employees – Unique Impressions
• 25-59 Employees – Community Bank Delaware
• 60-150 Employees – Trellist Marketing & Technology
• Nonprofit – Sunday Breakfast Mission

 Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: ​Julian H. "Pete" Booker

 Marvin S. Gilman Bowl Recipient: Donald T. Fulton

The Marvin S. Gilman Bowl

The Marvin S. Gilman Bowl was established by the Small Business Alliance of the State Chamber in 2008 to honor an individual who has made outstanding contributions to small business and nonprofit organizations of Delaware. The Bowl is awarded annually in the memory of Marvin S. Gilman. This year's recipient will be announced at the awards luncheon.

PAST RECIPIENTS

2009 Barry A. Crozier
2010 The Levin Family
2011 Michael S. Uffner
2012 Fred C. Sears II
2013 Donald T. Fulton
2014 Julian H. "Pete" Booker
2015 Richard G. "Dick" Hatfield
​2016 Frank and Donna Masley

2017 Peter C. Morrow 
2018 Martha S. Gilman
2019 E. Thomas Harvey, III
2020 David F. Lyons, Sr.
2021 John M. Burris
​2022 Timothy U. Bolden
2023 Pamela W. Cornforth
​2024 Lawrence J. DiSabatino
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event photos

UPCOMING EVENTS