Where Delaware’s best in business shine. The Superstars in Business award recognizes businesses and nonprofits that demonstrate exceptional achievement and serve as models of excellence in management and leadership. Established in 1998, the award honors the legacy of Marvin S. Gilman, a renowned small business leader in Delaware, by celebrating organizations that embody his spirit of innovation, integrity, and community impact.

As president of Gilman Development Company, Marvin Gilman led one of Wilmington’s most respected home-building firms. Known for his unwavering ethics and creative problem-solving, Marvin Gilman inspired others to make a positive difference in their communities—setting a standard that continues to guide the Superstars in Business award today.
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MARVIN S. GILMAN BOWL
The Gilman Bowl, established in 2008 by the Small Business Alliance of the Delaware State Chamber, recognizes an individual who has made exceptional contributions to Delaware’s small business and nonprofit communities. The recipient remains a closely guarded secret until they are revealed at the annual awards luncheon.

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. Register >

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APPLY TO BE A SUPERSTAR IN BUSINESS!

The 2025 application is now closed! The 2026 application will open in April 2026. Contact Kerri Welcher at [email protected] for more information.

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​

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SUPERSTAR WINNERS

2025

SUPERSTAR WINNERS:

Grey Fox Wealth Advisors 
1-10 Employees 

Boulden Brothers
​50-150 Employees

JLAM
​11-49 Employees 

Habitat for Humanity of
​New Castle County
​Nonprofit

GILMAN BOWL RECIPIENT:

Charles S. McDowell

2024

SUPERSTAR WINNERS

Courageous Hearts LLC
​1-14 Employees

Surf Bagel
41-150 Employees

RiversEdge Advisors
15-40 Employees

Delaware Nature Society
Nonprofit

GILMAN BOWL RECIPIENT:

Lawrence J. DiSabatino

2023

SUPERSTAR WINNERS:

NERDiT NOW
1-20 Employees

​Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A.
61-150

Breakwater Accounting & Advisory
21-60 Employees

​Children’s Beach House, Inc.
Nonprofit

GILMAN BOWL RECIPIENT:

Pamela W. Cornforth

2022

SUPERSTAR WINNERS:

Action Unlimited Resources, Inc. 
1-20 Employees​

Schlosser & Associates
​Mechanical Contractors 
51-150 Employees

L&W Insurance 
21-50 Employees 

Jewish Family Services of Delaware 
Nonprofit

GILMAN BOWL RECIPIENT:

Timothy U. Boulden

2021

SUPERSTAR WINNERS:

Weiner Benefits Group, LLC
1-20 Employees ​

Adesis, Inc.
61-150 Employees

Harvey, Hanna & Associates 
21-60 Employees 

Faithful Friends Animal Society
​Nonprofit

GILMAN BOWL RECIPIENT:

John M. Burris

2020

SUPERSTAR WINNERS:

AlphaGraphics
1-24 Employees​

Tidewater Utilities, Inc.
60-150 Employees ​

Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC
25-59 Employees ​

Preston's March for Energy
​Nonprofit 

GILMAN BOWL RECIPIENT:

David F. Lyons, Sr.

WATCH OUR VIRTUAL CEREMONY:

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MARVIN S. GILMAN BOWL 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 ​

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. Boulden
2023 Pamela W. Cornforth
​2024 Lawrence J. DiSabatino
​​2025 Charles S. McDowell

Photos by Dick Dubroff / Final Focus Photography