DSU Alumnus Cerron Cade nominated for cabinet post

Right on the heels of the announcement that the Delaware Secretary of Labor Patrice Gilliam-Johnson would be soon resigning to take a leadership position at DSU, Gov. John Carney announced that he would fill that cabinet post with a DSU graduate – Cerron Cade.

Mr. Cade – who graduated from DSU in 2007 with a BA degree in Political Science and is currently working toward a Master of Public Administration degree at his alma mater – is currently the director of the Delaware Division of Small Business, Development and Tourism. If the Delaware Senate confirms his nomination, he will succeed Dr. Gilliam-Johnson, who is resigning to become the dean of Graduate, Adult and Continuing Studies at DSU.

“I am honored to be nominated by Gov. Carney to lead the Department of Labor,” Mr. Cade said. “Connecting Delaware businesses with skilled employees has been a large part of my focus as DEDO has transitioned into the new Division. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to using that experience to help the state’s workforce thrive in this changing economy.”

In the nominated cabinet post, Mr. Cade would lead a 420-employee Department of Labor that oversees workforce development and training programs for the state, unemployment insurance programs, labor law enforcement, and economic forecasting for the state.

“Cerron has a proven ability to lead, and the knowledge and experience necessary to take on this important role,” said Gov. Carney who announced the nomination Jan. 16. “The Department of Labor’s work connecting Delawareans with relevant job training and workforce development programs has never been more important. Cerron understands the needs of Delaware businesses from his time at the Small Business Division and, before that, at the Delaware Economic Development Office. I’m confident that Cerron’s experience will serve Delaware and Delaware workers well.”

Mr. Cade grew up in Washington D.C. and moved to Delaware to study political science and law Studies at Delaware State University. Driven by a desire to make a positive impact and following his passion for public service, he has worked as a legislative aide for the Delaware House of Representatives, New Castle County deputy county director for U.S. Senator Tom Carper and State Projects director for then-Congressman John Carney.

Cade joined Gov. Jack Markell’s staff as Legislative Liaison in 2015. Last summer, Gov. Carney appointed Cade to serve as acting director of the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) to lead the office’s transition, where he previously served as deputy director.

In that acting post, he managed the dissolution of DEDO and the creation of the new Division of Small Business, Development, and Tourism within the Delaware Department of State. As the division’s director, he has led a team that is responsible for providing key services to Delaware businesses, administering the Delaware Strategic Fund and marketing the First State as a premier tourist destination.

Cade lives in Wilmington with his wife, Kasmira, and two daughters, Jonnie and Toni.