Just Dulin His Job

News CEO honored for doing ‘a good turn daily’
By K.I. White
Delaware State News

DOVER — Ed Dulin is a familiar face around Delmarva. He grew up in Kent County, playing sports at Caeser Rodney High School in Camden before graduating in 1969 and landing a job in the circulation department of the Delaware State News.

These days, however, he’s likely to be spotted at fundraisers or working on projects for the Greater Kent Committee, the Schwartz Center for the Arts, the Modern Maturity Center or campaigning for mentors.

“Anytime you go to an organization, a charity organization, a civic organization, you run into Ed,” says Bill Andrew, president and CEO of Delaware Electric Cooperative.

He describes Mr. Dulin, president and CEO of the Delaware State News’ parent company Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA, as a person who doesn’t wait to be asked to help.

“He gets involved and then sees projects through to their fruition.”

It’s that willingness to “do a good turn daily” — the Boy Scouts slogan — that put Mr. Dulin on the short list to receive the Del-Mar-Va Council’s 2014 Kent Distinguished Citizen Award, according to committee chairman Mr. Andrew.

“This is not the culmination of what he has done. It’s also a recognition of what he has done and will do. He always gives 100 percent.”

This is the 30th year the Del-Mar-Va Council of the Boy Scouts of America has named a Kent Distinguished Citizen, recognizing those who give their time and talents to improve the quality of life in Kent County. Past winners include civic activists, businessmen, a college president, CEOs and politicians.

The dinner associated with the presentation is considered one of Del-Mar-Va Council’s premier events. Tickets for the Nov. 20 gathering at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center are $125, which includes a donation to the Boy Scouts. Money raised will help pay for Scouting programs, including camp scholarships, recruitment efforts, supplies and adult-leader training. The event starts at 6 p.m. with a reception and then a 7 p.m. dinner.

Mr. Andrew, the 2013 honoree, appreciates that the award not only reflects that other people are cognizant of the recipient’s community efforts but also is a vehicle to help Scouting.

“It’s a very nice thing to help the Boy Scouts of America,” he says, “to give back to a worthy organization, to an organization that especially helps young people.”

A former Scout and Scout leader, Mr. Andrew recognizes that the adventure aspect of Scouting appeals to many, but he says it also does an exemplary job of developing character.

That aspect of Scouting fits well with one of Mr. Dulin’s big projects, Mr. Andrew says, citing his efforts in establishing mentoring programs in schools. Mr. Dulin started a mentoring initiative in the Capital School District, which has grown to include each district in the county. Kent County now has more than 500 mentors.

“The youth mentoring program is so important to the lives of those children participating,” Mr. Dulin wrote in an email interview last week. “It’s a tough job, though, to get adults signed up and to find the funds to support the program year after year.”

He aims to continue growing the program by working with key organizations in Delaware. Mr. Dulin, perhaps more than some, understands the need for mentors.

“I suppose you could describe me as a bit of a wild weed growing up,” he wrote. His father died when he was 2 years old, leaving his mom to raise him and his two brothers. “I didn’t have a strong male mentor in my life, so my interests shifted around as the wind blew and I tried my best to stay out of trouble.”

Mostly he managed to avoid trouble. He participated in Cub Scouts, but didn’t climb into the Boy Scouts ranks. Other activities distracted, especially sports. He was the captain of the basketball and football teams at Caesar Rodney and class secretary. He also coached basketball because even then he enjoyed working with youths.

Today, he sees Scouting as another avenue to help young men mature.

“Whichever level young men are involved, they learn the importance of strong values and working together. Another great example of how mentoring, whether by an adult or a peer, can make a difference in someone’s life.”

It’s that desire to make a differ­ ence that caught the attention of Kevin Les Callette, development director of the Boy Scouts. He says the Del-Mar-Va Council’s leadership looks to honor someone whose life reflects the Boy Scout oath, whether they were ever a Scout or not.

They live the Scout law, Mr. Les Callette says, by being loyal and helpful.

“People who work in the community know each other, know who is involved, know what they do,” says Mr. Andrew.

The committee compiles possible candidates for the award and then determines if the one at the top of its list would be receptive, he says. The receptive part comes in to play because the honoree doesn’t just get the Boy Scouts of America’s McKenzie statue. Once he accepts, he is tasked with raising money to support the 10,500 Scouts on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Not only will Mr. Dulin become chairman of the committee but he also has a goal to raise $42,000. That’s up from the $33,500 raised in 2013.

Mr. Andrew has no doubts that Mr. Dulin was the one to select for 2014. “He gives his time, and money, to make Kent County a better place to live and work.”

Mr. Dulin, however, says, “All I’ve been doing is my job and trying to make a little difference in the community.”

He also is quick to share the honor.

“I have to give a lot of the credit back to my peers, though, as whatever I’ve done to deserve this award, it’s due to a team effort in getting things done.”

Mr. Dulin has received his share of awards but, being a native Kent Countian, this most recent one holds special meaning for him, especially since it comes on a milestone anniversary for the award. “Most of the awards I’ve received in the past were related to the newspaper industry, so with this one being more community-based, it’s extremely special,” he wrote. “When I returned to Delaware after spending over 30 years in Arizona, coming ‘ home’ and getting deeply involved in the community was an easy task because of my early roots established here.”

Mr. Andrew doesn’t expect the award to lessen Mr. Dulin’s visibility.

“He will continue to be the community leader we all have come to know.

“He’s a good guy.”

Delaware State News news editor K.I. White can be reached at kwhite@newszap.com or at 741-8233.


 

Ed Dulin, president and CEO of Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA, took the lead in getting mentors into the Capital District and that initiative has grown to include all school districts in Kent County. Mr. Dulin has been named the 2014 Kent Distinguished Citizen by the Del-Mar-Va Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Dulin will be presented the 18-inch high McKenzie Statue at the 2014 Kent Distinguished Citizen Award dinner on Nov. 20. It is a replica of sulptor R. Tait McKenzie’s “The Ideal Scout” statute, which originally stood in Philadelphia.

 

 

 

The Del-Mar-Va Council of the Boy Scouts of America has named Ed Dulin, president and CEO of Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA, its 2014 Kent Distinguished Citizen in recognition of his efforts to improve the quality of life in Kent County.