Important Person of Dover Delaware Harold E Stafford

Harold has had an exemplary career of service and leadership in Delaware state government directing large departments, and managing administrative support operations over the past 31 years. He has served the State of Delaware as Human Services Planner with the State Planning Office/Office of Management, Budget and Planning; Director of Planning, Research and Information Systems, Bureau Chief of Industries and Services, Bureau Chief of Community Custody and Supervision all with the Department of Correction; Director of Administration with the Department of Labor and Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO); and Acting Director of DEDO. While serving as Acting DEDO Director, he led a trade delegation to Germany that resulted in the recruitment of one of Germany's top bio-tech companies to locate in Delaware. Also while at DEDO, he traveled to Taiwan to assist in establishing the first DEDO satellite office in Taiwan.

In January 2001, incumbent Governor Ruth Ann Minner appointed Harold as Secretary of Labor for the Delaware Department of Labor. Under his leadership as secretary, the department received the 2002 Quality Commitment Award and 2003 Quality Merit Award for providing improved service to its customers through the refinement of key business and support processes. Also in 2001, Harold was invited to join a Pennsylvania delegation that attended the International Conference on Human Resources in Beijing, China where he presented a paper entitled " The Role of Human Resources in Managing Today's Dynamic Organizations in an Era of Globalization."

In January 2005, he concluded his public service career with the State of Delaware. In August 2005, in recognition of Harold's long-time involvement with training and commitment to quality service, Governor Minner and Lt. Governor John Carney renamed the Department of Labor's Training Center to the "Harold E. Stafford Training Center."

In September 2005 Harold established his own business - The Stafford Firm which is a management consulting business that uses the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Criteria to assist nonprofits and government agencies to streamline operations and improve performance.

On October 4, 2007 Harold was inducted into the Hall of Fame for professional excellence at his alma mater at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Harold has Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Political Science from Henderson State University, and a Master's Degree in Social Services Administration from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Research in Pennsylvania.

He currently serves as the executive director of the Delaware Parents Association which is focused on establishing and maintaining strong families, and working with the schools to improve the health and well being of our children.

Harold and his wife Velvia live in Camden, DE and they have three children and four grandchildren.