Thomas P. Gordon - New Castle County Executive

Thomas P. Gordon, was sworn in November 13, 2012, as County Executive, beginning his second tenure with New Castle County.

Previous Incumbency

Tom Gordon was initially elected and sworn in as New Castle County Executive on January 7, 1997 where he served two terms as Executive. During his first tenure, New Castle County staged a drastic financial turnaround.

At the time Gordon took office, the County was facing a $100 million projected cumulative shortfall within four years. Gordon launched the first comprehensive County Reinvention Initiative in 1997. In 2000, Tom had eliminated the projected shortfall and had created a $100 million surplus. After being reelected for a second term (8 total years), County Executive Gordon achieved unprecedented financial success for New Castle Countians leaving office with $185 million in Reserves and was awarded the highest Bond Rating (AAA) by all three Wall Street Bond Rating agencies.

Tom was also the only two-term County Executive who did not raise property taxes and sewer user rates for eight years while producing the largest Financial Reserves in the history of New Castle County government.

Some of Tom’s key accomplishments as County Executive:

Largest financial reserves in New Castle County history
Eliminated the then projected $100 million projected cumulative shortfall
8 years without raising property taxes
8 years without raising sewer user rates
Achieved the highest credit rating (AAA) for New Castle County
Restructured County Government
Eliminated appointed, upper-management positions
Reduced the number of departments by 50%
Centralized County departments and services in a location convenient for all constituents
Created and successfully implemented the Office of Customer lnformation and Assistance (CIA)
Held the line on unnecessary expenditures and cut the County budget by $2 million.
Clearly defined County’s financial responsibility via tax bill split.
Combined functions to avoid task duplications.
Successfully completed union negotiations
Reduced worker’s compensation claims.
Increased human resources services; i.e., automatic payroll deposit, better life insurance, computer training.
Improved intra-governmental network.
Revised the County’s Land Use Code – Unified Development Code (UDC) ratified December 31, 1997.

Affiliations

Police Athletic League of Delaware, Founder and Chairman of the Board
Fraternal Order of Police, Member
International Association of the Chiefs of Police, Member

Past Affiliations

Clinton White House Council on Teen Violence
Council of Civic Organizations of Brandywine Hundred (CCOBH)
Rockwood Museum, Board Member
Rose Hill Community Center, Steering Committee
United Way of Delaware, Chairman
Historic Red Clay Valley, Board of Directors
Better Business Bureau, Board of Directors
Delaware Safety Council, Member
Delaware Technical and Community College
Chairman of Alumni Association