NEW CASTLE, Del. – The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recently presented its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.  The DRBA has now earned this recognition for nineteen (19) consecutive years. 

The individuals primarily responsible for developing and submitting the award-winning ACFR, Joseph Larotonda, Director of Finance, James Danna, Controller, and Michele Cleary, Senior Accountant were recognized with the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement. Other members of the finance team who worked on this submission include Ginger Gould, Manager of Financial Operations and Revenue Audit; Monica Creamer, Senior Accountant; Accountants Camille Dinon and Anik Yetter, Accounting Specialists Michele Huneycutt, Laura Synder, and Joshua King; Christoper Juliano, Financial Analyst; and Mary Beth Romano, Administrative Coordinator.

“Every year, our goal is to produce the Authority’s financial information in an easily readable and organized manner for our stakeholders,” said DRBA Chief Financial Officer Victor Ferzetti.  Our finance team works extremely hard to deliver a consistent, accurate, and detailed account of our financial activities every year and we’re proud once again to be recognized with this prestigious award.” 

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.  The program was established in 1945 to encourage state and local government agencies to go beyond meeting minimal reporting requirements and by preparing and publishing an easily readable and understandable annual comprehensive financial report covering all funds and financial transactions of the government during the fiscal year.  

The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users to read the report. The Authority’s ACFR can be found at www.drba.net/financial-information.

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority 
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages two airports in New Jersey (Millville Executive Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net.

2023 GFOA Award Photo – (left to right) Victor Ferzetti, Chief Financial Officer; Christopher Juliano, Financial Analyst; Joshua King, Accounting Specialist; Michele Cleary, Senior Accountant; Anik Yetter, Accountant; Ginger Gould, Manager of Financial Operations and Revenue Audit; James Danna, Controller; and Joseph Larotonda, Director of Finance.