Mission Statement
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc., is a private family foundation based in Frederick, Maryland, dedicated to the enrichment of communities, families, and quality of life for all. We do so by supporting programs to strengthen the arts and culture, educational advancement, health, and human services in Frederick County, as well as historical preservation and spiritual enlightenment in Frederick County and surrounding areas.
Board of Trustees
click + to read bio
George B. Delaplaine, Jr., Chairman
George B. Delaplaine, Jr. is Chairman of the Board of Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. He served as past President and CEO of the Great Southern Printing and Manufacturing Company, former parent company of The Frederick News-Post and GS Communications, Inc., having held positions of president, editor and publisher, reporter and columnist of the newspapers for five decades.
A native of Frederick, Maryland and a grandson of William T. Delaplaine, the newspaper founder, Mr. Delaplaine was associated full-time with the newspaper from 1949 up until the sale of the newspaper in March, 2001. He joined the family newspaper operation following service in the U.S. Navy in World War II, graduation from the Johns Hopkins University and postgraduate studies at Rutgers University.
Mr. Delaplaine led the company to get involved with cable television in 1966 and to grow the business into a four-state territory with centralized operations in Frederick, MD. He was instrumental in donating to the City of Frederick the former Mountain City Mill property which now serves as the Delaplaine Arts Center.
Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Board, vice president and director of The Frederick Brick Works and Secretary and director of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
He is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (1997) and Scouting’s Silver Beaver award and he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Scouting in 2022. Mr. Delaplaine holds Honorary Doctorate in Humanities degrees from both Mount St. Mary’s University and Hood College and he was named Master Entrepreneur in 1999 in Maryland’s Entrepreneur of the Year program. A generous advocate for the arts, historic preservation, and higher education, the Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick, MD, the Delaplaine Fine Arts Building at Mount St. Mary’s University and the Delaplaine-Randall Conference Room at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine bear the family name.
His life’s story was released in a 2016 biographical documentary entitled “George B. Delaplaine, Jr: A Peerless Legacy. It debuted in Frederick and was broadcast on Maryland Public Television. In 2018, Hood College acknowledged his achievements in business and his transformational gift to the College by the naming of the George B. Delaplaine School of Business at Hood. His memoir, “Read All About It – The Life and Times of George B. Delaplaine, Jr. published in 2019, and chronicles his life’s story personally and professionally.
Mr. Delaplaine and his late wife Bettie have four sons, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Marlene B. Young, President
Marlene Young is honored to serve as President of Delaplaine Foundation and as a member of the Board of Trustees since the Foundation’s establishment in 2001. She also serves as Chair of the Board’s Executive and Governance Committees.
Having retired from leading the daily operations of the Foundation after 24 years in 2025, she continues to lead the Board in setting strategic objectives for advancing the Foundation’s mission.
Marlene was previously Vice President Administration/Director of Human Resources and Corporate Secretary of Great Southern Ptg. & Mfg. Company, former parent company of The Frederick News-Post and GS Communications, doing business in four states.
She is a charter member of the Frederick County Philanthropic Funders Collaborative and the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County, having served two terms as Grants Committee Chair. Marlene has served on numerous community boards, including most recently eight years on the Hood College Board of Trustees where she also chaired the Institutional Advancement Committee. An alumna of Hood College, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree in 2014 in recognition of her leadership, impact, and support of the College, Frederick County, and the state of Maryland.
Named a Maryland Top 100 Woman by the Maryland Daily Record in 2015, again in 2020, and for a third time in 2022, Marlene was inducted into the Maryland Top 100 Circle of Excellence, an honor reserved for those identified as inclusive change agents recognized for outstanding achievements demonstrated through community leadership/service, professional accomplishment, and mentorship.
Marlene and her husband Mike are proud parents of a daughter and son and grandparents of six grandchildren. They have been blessed to establish the Young Scholar Award scholarship fund at the Community Foundation of Frederick County and the Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09 scholarship at Hood College where they were honored to make a lead gift for the Michael S. and Marlene B. Young Data Driven Frederick Center within the George B. Delaplaine, Jr. School of Business at Hood.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, Marlene enjoys reading, gardening and serving in music ministry at her Frederick County home church where she directs the choir. Her love of music led to her recording seven CD albums featuring songs of faith and Christmas holiday classics, the proceeds from sales of which she donates to local nonprofit organizations.
Edward “Ted” S. Delaplaine, II, Vice President
Ted Delaplaine has been on the Delaplaine Foundation Board of Trustees since its inception. He is the third son of George and the late Bettie Delaplaine and currently serves as Board V.P. and serves as chairman of the Grants Committee.
He has a Masters in Applied Physics from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Now retired, he worked as an engineer for the U.S. Army and for a small start-up, Mink Hollow Systems, Inc.
In addition to the DF Board, Ted is also on the Board of the Delaplaine Arts Center and has been on the Boards of Annapolis’ Severn River Association, an eco-based nonprofit, as well as the Enoch Pratt Free Library of Baltimore City.
He enjoys birdwatching, travel and art and is an Eagle Scout, like his father and brother, Buck.
George B. “Buck” Delaplaine, III, Secretary
George B. (Buck) Delaplaine III has served as a Trustee and Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Delaplaine Foundation, Inc., since its inception in 2001. He is a co-founding member, along with his siblings and parents of the Foundation that bears the family name. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Buck worked as a Project Engineer for TAMKO Building Products for 11 years before assuming the position of Operations Manager for Maryland Paper Company for 31 years, from which he retired.
He also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and is a Member of G Delaplaine Enterprises, LLC. He and his wife, Kateri, are members of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Like his father and grandfather, Buck is an Eagle Scout and a supporter of local organizations including the Hagerstown Aviation Museum located at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. His interests include photography, gardening, travel and aviation-related activities.
Philip W. Hammond, CFO/Treasurer
Philip Hammond, “Phil,” serves as treasurer and CFO of Delaplaine Foundation. He is a graduate of Furman University in South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration and is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in Maryland. Phil was the Chief Financial Officer of the Great Southern Printing and Manufacturing Company, the parent company of the Frederick News Post and GS Communications for many years. For eight years, he served on Frederick Health Hospital’s Board of Directors and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Phil is married to his high school sweetheart, Jody, and they have three children and eight grandchildren. He has been a lifelong tennis enthusiast, playing and coaching tennis for over 50 years.
Kelsey Delaplaine Fulmer
Kelsey Delaplaine Fulmer was named a Trustee of Delaplaine Foundation in November of 2021. A graduate of West Virginia University, Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, along with a minor in Equine Management. She is an outside sales representative for BWI Companies as well as an Equine Insurance Agent. Kelsey resides in Cleburne, Texas, with her husband, Brett, and son, Brice, on their 28 acre ranch where they have a small horse breeding program. Kelsey also competes in the National Reined Cow Horse Association. In 2025, she launched the Delaplaine Youth Grant in partnership with the NRCHA in efforts to provide financial support for those youth whose financial needs may limit their ability to compete in the NRCHA.
James W. Delaplaine
Jim Delaplaine is the second son of George and Bettie Delaplaine and has served on Delaplaine Foundation’s Board of Trustees since its inception in 2001. He takes great satisfaction in seeing how the Foundation’s initiatives have enriched lives and is deeply proud of the impact it has on the community.
Jim is a longtime business owner in Hustontown, Pennsylvania, and outside of his professional responsibilities, has a passion for working on cars. He lends his time and mechanical skills to assist people who are facing transportation challenges by repairing their vehicle and helping them get safely back on the road.
Jim spends a portion of each year in Texas with his son, daughter, and her family. During these visits, he enjoys spending time with his grandson and being part of the family’s businesses and activities.
John P. Delaplaine
John Delaplaine has served as a member of Delaplaine Foundation’s Board of Trustees since its founding in 2001. He is the owner of JCS, Inc., a local business specializing in steel and postframe construction, as well as general residential services. He also manages several commercial buildings constructed by JCS in Frederick and Easton, MD. John is committed to farming, overseeing 850 acres of his family farmland that includes 100 head of beef cattle. During the months of September and October, he operates Glade Valley Corn Maze, enjoyed on weekends by locals and visitors alike. A lifelong resident of Frederick, John is the proud father to Eric, Kimberly, Brayden and Paul and has 5 grandchildren.
Associate Board Members
click + to read bio
Eric P. Delaplaine
J. Brayden Delaplaine
John Brayden Delaplaine graduated from South Hagerstown High School in 2017. His interest in aviation led him to taking flying lessons, and in 2023 Brayden became a certified flight instructor, working at the Frederick Municipal Airport for more than two years. He is now a first officer with SkyWest Airlines. Brayden married his wife Taryn in October of 2025. He enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife, their four dogs, and family.
Kimberly C. Delaplaine
Kimberly Delaplaine is a third-generation associate board member of Delaplaine Foundation and granddaughter of George and Bettie Delaplaine. As a proud mother of three daughters, she is deeply committed to carrying forward her grandparents’ legacy of compassion, generosity and service. Kimberly is passionate about supporting education, nurturing spirituality and strengthening communities. She believes strongly in helping individuals and families who are facing difficult times and strives to create opportunities that uplift others. Guided by the values her grandparents instilled, Kimberly is dedicated to continuing their ideals while inspiring positive change for future generations.
Kyle W. Delaplaine
Bio to come.
Staff Members
click + to read bio
Michele Corr, Executive Director
Michele Corr is in her second year as Executive Director of Delaplaine Foundation, where she leads the Foundation’s day-to-day operations. Born in Frederick, Michele’s family moved to Maryland’s Eastern Shore during her high school years and she received a Bachelor of Science from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. She returned to Frederick at the age of 30 to raise her family in the community she loves.
Before joining Delaplaine Foundation, Michele served for eight years as Executive Director of the Friends of Catholic Education, where she cultivated relationships and helped expand access to Catholic education for students in Frederick County. She currently serves on their Board of Trustees. Prior to that, Michele spent ten years at Saint John’s Catholic Prep as a photography teacher and Director of Development. In addition, Michele is actively engaged in the Frederick County Philanthropic Funders’ Collaborative, the Frederick County Nonprofit Summit Committee and a member of the Leadership Frederick County Class of 2026, a program offered through the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.
Outside of her professional work, Michele enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking nature pictures, exploring new places, driving on the scenic route whenever possible and having fun along the way!
Blair Wilson, Director of Grantmaking
Jessica Wareham, Executive Assistant
Jessica Wareham was born and raised in Frederick and joined Delaplaine Foundation in May of 2022. In her role as Executive Assistant, she supports the Foundation’s leadership, Board of Trustees, Associate Board Members and staff assisting with administrative operations and organizational coordination. She has over 14 years of experience in the administrative field, with a strong background in executive support, organization, and day-to-day operational management. Her experience and attention to detail help ensure the Foundation’s work runs smoothly and efficiently. Jessica has served on the Frederick Nonprofit Summit Committee since 2023, further supporting the Foundation’s mission and community engagement efforts. She is proud to contribute to an organization that invests in and strengthens the community she calls home.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family. She is a wife and the proud mother of three children, two daughters, one son and the new arrival of another son mid-August of 2026.