About Ruth

• • Associate’s Degree in Medical Technology; Delaware Technical and Community College*
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Professions, Supervision; Wilmington College
  • Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Instructional Leadership; Wilmington College

*2009: Delaware Technical and Community College selected Ruth to receive its Distinguished Alumni Award.

• Medical Laboratory Technologist, ASCP
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist, HEW
• State of Delaware, Administrator Certification
• REALTOR® Association Executive

• Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM)
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Women in Excellence Public Service Series

• Medical: Upon graduating from College, Ruth completed an internship and was hired at Milford Memorial Hospital. She went from the Hospital to Dickinson Medical Group where she started an independent, accredited, private laboratory. She provided a leadership role for the laboratory for 5 years and left to pursue a teaching career in Medical Assisting.
• Education: In January of 1988, Ruth joined the Kent County Vocational Technical High School as a teacher in Medical Assisting. She quickly met the requirements for her Teaching Certification and continued her education. In 1991, Ruth was the Kent VoTech Teacher of the Year and competed for Delaware’s Teacher of the Year. She excelled in Student Leadership Development and became a full time Student Activities Coordinator. While at Kent Vo-tech she was instrumental in the conversion to a full time program at Polytech High School. She helped articulate a program with Delaware Technical and Community College for her Medical Assisting students and encouraged leadership development. She missed her first profession and returned to the Medical Laboratory field in 1994.
• Executive Leadership/Management/Operations: In 1994, Ruth joined Medlab, Inc. as a Regional Manager. She quickly became the Director of External Operations which included 24 patient centers, four Stat Labs, the Courier Fleet, and customer service. Her duties later expanded to include Human Resources in all locations including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. She developed programs and agreements with State Agencies in those same states and was a Certified Breath Alcohol Trainer for the Department of Transportation as well as an expert witness in Delaware on the subject matter. She served on Advisory Boards for Salem Community College, the University of Delaware, and Delaware Technical and Community College while at Medlab. In 1998 she oversaw the acquisition of Medlab by LabCorp and remained as the Human Resources Officer.
• Human Resources, Vice President: In 1999, Ruth wanted to work in her community again and became the Vice President, Human Resources, Officer in Charge, at Baltimore Trust Company. She began serving on a variety of not for profit boards while at the bank as well as learning financial management. She completed studies in Compliance and Community Reinvestment Act. Her work led her to full time work in the not for profit sector. Always teaching, Ruth taught courses for the American Institute of Banking and Wilmington College. She also was a frequent speaker for the State of Delaware’s Employers Conference and developed “Finders are Keepers” recruitment presentation.
• Not for Profit Leadership: In 2004, Ruth became the Executive Vice President for First State Manufactured Housing Association where she quickly adjusted to the not for profit sector and became an advocate for property rights. She volunteered to assist at meetings for the Advisory Council on Manufactured Housing, the Relocation Trust Authority, and spearheaded the legislation for installation standards as well as safe demolition of manufactured units. Ruth embraced advocacy as a vital part of her career. She quickly earned respect for being honest and providing information to legislators so they could make informed decisions.
  In 2006, Ruth brought her interest and skills back to Sussex by accepting a position as the Executive Vice President of the Sussex County Association of REALTORS®. This job fulfills several interests and enables her to work in the community where she lives and serves. Since joining the REALTORS®, Ruth has served on several committees and projects to benefit Sussex County.
• Consulting: In February 2016, Ruth initiated her consulting business enabling her to focus her interest, experience, and time on endeavors related to her expertise in strategic human resources, strategic planning, and organizational development.

Present Service:

• Bayshore Community Church, 20 years
• Board of Directors for Cheer Foundation
• Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development
• Sussex County Community Housing (Crisis House)
• Delaware Cancer Consortium
• Board of Directors for Oak Orchard Boys and Girls Club
• Delaware State University Sussex Advisory Board
• SPECIAL APPOINTMENT TASKFORCE:
• Workers Compensation Task Force
• Prevailing Wage Council
• Revenue Review Taskforce
• Education Funding Taskforce
• Delaware Autonomous Vehicle Taskforce
• Delaware Healthy Mothers and Infants Taskforce
• Law Enforcement Accountability Taskford
• Aging in Place Taskforce
• Delaware Substance Abuse and Infant Taskforce
• Delaware Retirement Benefit Review Taskforce
• Law Enforcement Accountability Task Force
• Aging in Place Task Force
• Dementia Task Force

SPECIAL INITIATIVES:

• Council of State Government Tolls Fellow
• Council of State Government Emerging Issues in HealthCare Taskforce
• Council of State Government Eastern Region Transportation Committee
• State Director for National Federation of Women Legislators, State Director and chair of Nominating Committee
• Civility and Civil Discourse Program with State Legislative Leaders Foundation
• Council of State Government, Fels Institute for Legislative Leaders
• Milton Freidman, Regional Conference on School Choice
• National Council of Legislative Leadership
• Financial Literacy Taskforce
• Emerging Issues in Health Care National Taskforce

Ruth Briggs King has spent her whole life working, first as a health care provider, then as a teacher in our public schools (where she was nominated for the prestigious “Teacher of the Year” award) and later in different occupations in the business world.

Ruth understands the important role state government has in maintaining existing jobs and creating new opportunities. And she understands that quality employment is the foundation on which stable families, successful schools, and prosperous communities are grow. Ruth said, “Delaware works best when Delawareans are working.”

Ruth has been a strong voice for our communities, ensuring that the interests of the state’s largest county are well-represented.

Among other things, Ruth advocated for safety improvements on Zoar Road and busy intersections in the District with a focus on Route 24, in the Long Neck area. Equally important she remains vigilant about solving the flooding and drainage problems in the Oak Orchard area. Great progress has been made in this area.

Recognizing that our area has a significant number of manufactured housing communities, Ruth has actively worked with residents to address their concerns. She helped craft legislation and worked to ensure passage of SB 234 in 2013 that provided for rent justification. She has resolved and assisted with many individual concerns within different communities. She has further developed a wealth of knowledge and experience in issues related to housing concerns as well as a network of agencies to assist residents with issues. Through her oversight and vigilant efforts (yes, even nagging) she has increased the responsiveness and accountability of the office to streamline the complaint and communication process. In 2019 she led a taskforce that completed a review and update of Chapter 71 as well as the creation of an Ombudsman for Manufactured Housing in the Attorney General’s office. In June of 2022, Ruth helped sponsor and pass legislation that was supported by both Community Owners and Homeowners that stabilizes rent.

Ruth has received Legislator of the year awards from several organizations including:

• Veterans Stand Down
• AARP
• Delaware Chamber of Commerce
• Delaware Charter Schools
• Richard Allen Coalition
• Sussex County Cheer

These awards demonstrate her hard work and the diverse issues she addresses on behalf of her constituents. In August 2022, Ruth received a national award from the Mental Health America organization for being a champion for access to treatment and support for mental health and substance use disorders.

Friends sum it up as, “Ruth’s always working and always thinking”

Past Service:

• State of Delaware Financial Literacy Commission
• State of Delaware Financial Services and Bilingual Training Advisory Group
• Graduate of Neighborhood Works Leadership Program
• Domestic Violence Coalition, State of Delaware
• Volunteer Instructor, American Red Cross (First Responder)
• Cub Scout Leader
• Georgetown PTA, Sussex Central Parent Advisory, and numerous Booster Clubs including Team Mother in Little League, Pop Warner, Sussex Central Football, Wrestling, and Baseball.
• Sunday School Teacher, VBS Coordinator, Communion Steward at Grace United Methodist Church in Georgetown.
• Advisory Board for Sussex Tech, Delaware Technical and Community College, University of Delaware, and Star Tech.
• Middle States, Technology WorkGroup, for IRSD
• Public Allies Board of Directors
• Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown, Founding Board Member
• Interfaith Mission of Sussex County
• MDA Team in Training for Leukemia and Lymphoma: ½ Marathon 2005

• FOP (Fraternal Order of Police
• Delaware State Troopers Association
• NRA
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)