Food Bank of Delaware, Synergy Consultants, First Ascent Design and GGA Construction receive top honors, while retired VanDemark & Lynch President Stephan Lehm earns the prestigious Marvin S. Gilman Bowl for more than 50 years of leadership and community service.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Four Delaware organizations were celebrated for business excellence Thursday, Oct. 29, but one of the most memorable moments at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards luncheon came when a longtime business leader received an unexpected honor.

Stephan “Steve” Lehm, retired president of VanDemark & Lynch, was surprised with the prestigious Marvin S. Gilman Bowl, recognizing more than five decades of contributions to Delaware’s business community and his commitment to philanthropy.

The presentation was part of the Chamber’s 28th annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Awards luncheon at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington.

The event also honored four organizations representing different sectors of Delaware’s economy: the Food Bank of Delaware, Synergy Consultants & Psychotherapy Practice, First Ascent Design and GGA Construction.

Each was recognized for business leadership, strong management practices and contributions to the communities they serve.

Lehm honored for a lifetime of leadership and service

For more than 50 years, Lehm has helped shape Delaware through his professional work in civil engineering and his commitment to community service.

As president of VanDemark & Lynch, a Delaware engineering firm, Lehm built a career connected to the state’s development and growth.

His contributions, however, have extended well beyond his professional responsibilities.

The Marvin S. Gilman Bowl, established in 2008, honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Delaware’s small-business and nonprofit communities.

Unlike the annual Superstars awards, the recipient of the Gilman Bowl is kept secret until the presentation, making Lehm’s recognition a surprise during Thursday’s luncheon.

“From civil engineering to philanthropy, Stephan Lehm’s work is everywhere in Delaware, even if most people never see his name on it,” said Brett Smith, Marvin S. Gilman’s grandson. “He has spent more than 50 years building this state and giving back to it, leading with the kind of quiet generosity my grandfather admired most.”

The award reflects the values associated with Gilman, a respected Delaware homebuilder whose business philosophy emphasized integrity, innovation and giving back to the community.

Lehm joins a distinguished group of previous recipients whose leadership has helped strengthen Delaware’s economy and nonprofit organizations.

Previous honorees include Charles S. McDowell in 2025, Lawrence J. DiSabatino in 2024, Pamela W. Cornforth in 2023 and Timothy U. Boulden in 2022.

The award recognizes individuals whose influence extends beyond their businesses and whose service has created lasting benefits for Delaware.

The Chamber’s announcement honoring Lehm provides additional information about the recognition.

Four organizations earn Superstar honors

The Chamber presented its 2026 Superstars in Business Awards to four organizations selected from different employee-size categories and the nonprofit sector.

Food Bank of Delaware: Fighting hunger and creating opportunity

The Food Bank of Delaware received the Superstar award in the nonprofit category for its statewide efforts to fight hunger while helping residents achieve greater financial stability.

Working with more than 600 community partners, the organization distributes millions of pounds of food annually to Delaware families and individuals facing food insecurity.

Its work extends beyond emergency food assistance through workforce development programs that provide job training and opportunities for economic independence.

The award recognizes the Food Bank’s combination of direct community assistance and long-term efforts to address the underlying causes of poverty.

Synergy Consultants: Making mental health services more accessible

Synergy Consultants & Psychotherapy Practice received the Superstar award for businesses with one to 10 employees.

The outpatient mental health practice provides therapy and support to individuals, couples and families dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and significant life changes.

The organization also helps train future mental health professionals and participates in wellness and community outreach programs.

Its recognition demonstrates how smaller organizations can make important contributions to health care and the quality of life in Delaware communities.

First Ascent Design: Helping organizations grow

Wilmington-based First Ascent Design was honored in the category for businesses with 11 to 40 employees.

The digital marketing agency provides branding, website development, digital advertising, search engine optimization and content marketing services.

During its 11 years in business, First Ascent has worked with nearly 300 businesses, nonprofits and educational institutions.

Its work helps organizations strengthen their brands, reach customers and compete in an increasingly digital marketplace.

GGA Construction: Building Delaware’s future

GGA Construction received the Superstar award in the category for businesses with 41 to 150 employees.

With offices in Middletown and Rehoboth Beach, GGA specializes in commercial construction projects throughout Delaware and the surrounding region.

Its portfolio includes health care facilities, educational institutions, hotels, restaurants, senior living communities, multifamily housing and recreational facilities.

The company was recognized for its management practices, leadership and contributions to an industry that plays an important role in Delaware’s economic development.

Four more organizations recognized for excellence

In addition to the Superstar winners, the Chamber honored four organizations with Awards of Excellence for demonstrating notable performance and leadership.

The recipients were:

• Sunday Breakfast Mission — Nonprofit category, recognizing its work assisting people experiencing homelessness and other hardships.

• Integrity Nursing LLC — Businesses with one to 10 employees, recognizing its work in health care services.

• Delmarva Central Railroad — Businesses with 11 to 40 employees, recognizing its role in regional transportation and commerce.

• AKA Advisory — Businesses with 41 to 150 employees, recognizing its professional services and business leadership.

The additional awards highlight the diversity of Delaware’s small-business community, from health care and professional services to transportation and nonprofit assistance.

An award rooted in Delaware’s business heritage

Established in 1998, the Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Awards honor the legacy of a respected Delaware entrepreneur who believed that successful businesses should combine sound management with ethical leadership and community involvement.

As president of Gilman Development Company, Marvin Gilman led one of Wilmington’s respected homebuilding firms.

The annual awards program recognizes businesses and nonprofit organizations that have operated for at least three consecutive years and have 150 or fewer employees.

In 2008, the Chamber’s Small Business Alliance expanded the program by establishing the Marvin S. Gilman Bowl to recognize individuals whose professional leadership and community involvement reflect Gilman’s principles.

Together, the awards celebrate both organizational achievement and individual contributions to Delaware’s business community.

Celebrating the people behind Delaware’s economy

The luncheon brought together organizations with different missions but a shared commitment to leadership and service.

For the Food Bank of Delaware, that mission is helping families overcome hunger and poverty. For Synergy Consultants, it is expanding access to mental health services. For First Ascent Design, it is helping businesses and nonprofits strengthen their presence in the marketplace. And for GGA Construction, it is building the facilities that support Delaware’s economic and community growth.

Lehm’s recognition added a personal dimension to those achievements.

His more than 50 years of professional contributions and philanthropy underscore a central message of the Superstars program: Business leadership can have an impact far beyond an organization’s daily operations.

Whether through creating jobs, providing essential services, developing infrastructure or supporting charitable causes, this year’s honorees demonstrate the many ways Delaware businesses and their leaders contribute to the First State.

To Go: Learn more about Superstars in Business

• What: Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Awards, presented by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and its Small Business Alliance.
• When: The 28th annual awards luncheon was held Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026.
• Where: Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington.
• Special honoree: Stephan “Steve” Lehm, retired president of VanDemark & Lynch, received the 2026 Marvin S. Gilman Bowl.
• 2027 applications: Expected to open in spring 2027. Eligible organizations must have operated for at least three consecutive years and have 150 or fewer employees.
• More information: Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Superstars in Business.
• Special award announcement: Chamber announcement honoring Stephan Lehm.

 

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