Mark Abbott
District 5Mark Abbott
District 5Delaware Electric Cooperative board member Mark Abbott is a retired 30 year public school teacher. He resides in Georgetown, where he graduated from Sussex Central High School and is an alumnus of both Messiah University and Delaware State University. Mark has served the Woodbridge and Sussex Technical School Districts where he taught Special Education, Psychology, Personal Finance, and Driver Education. Additionally, Mark taught as an adjunct instructor for Delaware Technical Community College in the Developmental Department. He is also a former assistant scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 95 in Georgetown. Mark is married to his wife, Melissa, and they have two children, Caleb and Nathanial. Mark and Melissa are active members of The Grace Church of Milton. As he looks to the future, he is excited to continue to serve his community.
Patricia S. Dorey
Board Chair, District 4Patricia S. Dorey
Board Chair, District 4DEC Board Chair Patricia “Pat” Dorey has served on the board since her first election in 2004. She previously served as the Board’s Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and was elected chair in 2021. Having graduated from the Millsboro Public School, Pat later attended college as an adult student and is an alumnus of both the University of Delaware and Salisbury State College, now Salisbury University. She taught in the Indian River School District for a few years before accepting an opportunity to return to the University of Delaware’s Parallel Program in Georgetown, where she served students and faculty in the administrative role of Assistant Dean for 18 years. Following her retirement from this position, she returned to the Delaware Tech campus in Georgetown and worked several more years as an educational counselor/advisor to prospective and current students.
During her time on the DEC Board, Pat has represented DEC at the statewide trade association known as the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives. She serves on the RHI Board as well as the Educational Services Committee and Foundation Board of the VMDAEC and is a past Chair of the VMDAEC Board. To keep abreast of a rapidly growing and changing industry, Pat has earned CCD, BLD and Director Gold credentials during her tenure through attending conferences and other training opportunities as well as taking online courses offered through the NRECA.
Pat is married to husband Terry Dorey, and they have two children, Denise Bateman and Darren Dorey, and are additionally blessed to have five wonderful grandchildren. Pat and Terry are active members of Zoar UM Church in Millsboro, and she also enjoys service to the Delaware District and the Peninsula-Delaware Conference of the UMC.
At-Large 2
To Be Filled in Summer 2024At-Large 2
To Be Filled in Summer 2024This board seat will be filled during the summer 2024 election.
Bruce R. Walton
District 2Charles L. Towles, Jr.
District 1Charles L. Towles, Jr.
District 1Charles Towles, Jr. is retired with over 40 years in the electrical industry. Charles has been a Board Member since 2006. He has attained the Director Certification and Gold Leader status level. Charles, and his wife Carol, reside in Smyrna. They attend Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna and enjoy motorcycle riding with Christian motorcycle groups and driving their RV across the country. He is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Moose Lodge and Masonic Lodge. Charles is a committed, experienced and dedicated team player, who believes in “putting members first.”