Gov.-elect Jack Markell announced Dec. 4 he is nominating Alan Levin, the former CEO of Happy Harry’s and a senior staffer to the late Sen. William Roth, to head the Delaware Economic Development Office.

    “The health of our state's economy can't be approached as a political or a partisan issue. It has to be approached as an issue of economic survival for every family who wonders if they can afford to pay their bills and whether their child will be able to have a career here in Delaware,” Markell said during a news conference at the Energizer Personal Care/Playtex facility in Dover. “One thing Alan and I both know how to do is build a business. It takes energy, ideas and innovation. It takes intense focus and an incredible team around you. It requires the ability to see the opportunity in adversity. Delaware families are facing incredible economic adversity right now. Under Alan, DEDO will identify, create and sustain real opportunities for new jobs.”

    Although Markell is a Democrat and Levin a Republican, both grew up in Delaware, both spent years in public service and both built successful multi-million dollar businesses despite aggressive competition from large national companies, said Joe Rogalsky, communications director for the Markell transition team.

    “Our task is to secure quality jobs for the people of Delaware; jobs that will sustain us into the next generation,” Levin said. “And we owe the companies of our state an assurance that we will be there to provide them with the opportunity to grow and their employees a chance to secure a better life for their families. This will be DEDO's mission under a Markell administration.”

    Levin is best known in Delaware for his work as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Happy Harry's drug stores, which he took over after the death of his father, Harry Levin. From 1987 through 2006, Levin grew Happy Harry's from a 19-store chain to a 76-store regional powerhouse that earned the National Retailer of the Year award.

    His record of public service includes work for the Delaware Department of Justice as a deputy attorney general and executive assistant and counsel to Roth. Although he was courted by the Republican Party as a possible 2008 gubernatorial candidate, Levin announced early in the campaign season he had decided not to run.

    Born and raised in Wilmington, Levin is a graduate of Tulane University and the Delaware Law School of Widener University.