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The Wilmington HOPE Commission today announced that Darius Brown has been named Executive Director of the Commission, effective September 13, and Dr. Debra Mason has been appointed to the new position of Deputy Executive Director of the Commission, effective September 27. Brown succeeds outgoing Executive Director Tamera Fair, who announced her departure earlier this summer. Fair will remain with the commission through the end of September 2021. As Executive Director, Brown is responsible for the overall management of the Commission, which is Delaware’s premier organization for reducing recidivism by assisting ex-offenders in their return to the community. He is responsible for board management and has direct oversight of the commission’s daily operations, talent management, fiscal operations, fund development and management of community relationships. As Deputy Executive Director, Mason will assist Brown in his duties and will work with the commission’s Clinical Director to oversee programmatic operations. Commenting on the appointments, Wilmington HOPE Commission Board Chair Michelle Taylor, who is President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Delaware, said, “The HOPE Commission is fortunate to have identified an experienced leader like Darius Brown, who will build on the Commission’s strong foundation as we continue charting a clear path to success for our returning citizens. As someone with an intimate understanding of Wilmington, who recognizes the challenges facing returning citizens, and who has the experience needed to manage complex programming across a large organization, I am certain that Darius will lead the commission to the next level.” Taylor added that Dr. Mason’s extensive experience managing social services will be an asset to the Commission. “Deborah Mason brings a wealth of relevant training and experience. The Commission is lucky to have someone of Dr. Mason’s caliber working with our clinical staff to ensure the best outcomes for our clients and for the community as a whole.” Taylor also said, “The commission wants to take this opportunity to thank Tamera Fair for her sound leadership during her tenure as Executive Director. Tamera elevated the administrative and operational capacity of the Wilmington HOPE Commission and laid in place a strong foundation for continued service to our clients and our community. We thank her for all she has accomplished and wish her well in her new endeavors.” Since November, 2018 Brown has represented the Second Senatorial District in the Delaware State Senate, where he has been instrumental in passage of legislation improving Delaware’s criminal justice system. Earlier in his career, Brown was Chief of Staff, and prior to that position, Director of Community and External Relations at Connections Community Support Programs, Inc., which provides healthcare, housing and employment services for more than 40,000 Delawareans annually. He served as a member of the Wilmington City Council for more than five years and prior to that, served in staff positions for former U.S. Senator Edward Kaufman, and then U.S. Senator Joseph Biden. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Leadership from Geneva College. A former member of the Board of Directors of the Wilmington HOPE Commission, Dr. Mason joins the Commission staff from the Delaware Department of Correction, where she was a Training/Education Administrator. Earlier in her career, she served as a Senior Probation and Parole Officer for the Delaware State Probation and Parole Unit, as a Parent Educator for Child, Inc., and held a range of case management positions at the Delaware Center for Justice, Easter Seals, Community Education Centers and at healthcare and youth-serving organizations in Pennsylvania. She holds both a Bachelor and a Masters of Sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctorate of Social Science from Wilmington University.