New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer today named Charuni Patibanda to the position of New Castle County Economic Development Director. She replaces Tamarra Morris Foulkes who retired in the fall. Patibanda begins on February 2nd.
“As we begin our second term in office, it was critical that we welcome an Economic Development Director who has both a broad understanding of the role our government plays in its economic future and a forward-thinking vision of how we can employ our business communities as they engage our vibrant business sector,” said County Executive Meyer. “Char brings a keen awareness to what will keep New Castle County working.”
Patibanda’s work as a senior advisor to County Executive Meyer will focus on continuing to make New Castle County a great place to start, grow, and expand business. She will bolster the County’s ecosystem for enterprise by coordinating the County’s support for entrepreneurship competitions and business incubator opportunities, and continue growing relationships with the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, Delaware Division of Small Business, and state and local Chambers of Commerce.
Patibanda will oversee several current New Castle County economic development initiatives in progress, including the New Castle County Airport request for proposal process and helping New Castle County build back better after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patibanda most recently co-founded, and served as president of The McOsker Group, a consulting firm which develops political strategies for a variety of hospitality, media, outdoor advertising, healthcare, and development clients. She also served in associate attorney roles with Sheppard Mullin and Glaser Weil, both in Los Angeles, where she focused on land use, government contracts, and regulatory matters in the region. Patibanda advocated on a broad range of economic development projects for her clients and worked closely with local elected officials and staff to shape municipal ordinances and public policy issues, including home-sharing, police reform, and other measures affecting the business and workforce environments.
While the bulk of Patibanda’s professional experience comes from west coast firms, her roots are firmly planted in New Castle County. She is a graduate of the Tower Hill School and a former student at Skyline Middle School.
Patibanda received her law degree from Emory University and her combined master’s and bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California.
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