Kent-Sussex Industries (KSI) recently announced staff changes in their company. Nina Stump has been promoted to Human Resources Manager and Dr. Kristina Failing hired as the Director of Mission Advancement.
“Nina started with us as an HR Office Coordinator in 2023 under former Director of Human Resources and Benefits, Barbara Wilson,” Mark Reeve, Director of Communication, said. “She then transitioned to Case Manager in 2024. Her understanding of KSI staff challenges from multiple perspectives will give her the unique ability to create supports and benefits that will build a strong staff culture within the organization.”
Stump spent 20 years in hospitality management as Director of Operations at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from 2003 to 2019, then as the Assistant Food & Beverage Director at Harrington Raceway and Casino. She completed the Dale Carnegie Training Course “Develop Your Leadership Potential,” a program that helps individuals address real-life issues and challenges confronted in the workplace. The program also provided her with the skills to work with a team and meet organizational goals.
“I’ve had a lot of experience with employee relations throughout my career,” Stump, who also earned a certification in HR management, said. ” An HR department needs to be an inviting place, and not like going to the principal’s office.”
Dr. Kristina Failing, a seasoned public education administrator, will now serve as the Director of Mission Advancement, responsible for building program participant admissions as well as bolstering community engagement at KSI.
“Her educational career has been defined by increasing inclusion in public school systems and greater community participation for people with varied abilities,” Reeve said. “Her background dovetails well with KSI’ core mission to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live their best lives.”
Failing earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Delaware State University and her doctorate at Wilmington University. She began her career in 1999 as a special education teacher at Capital School District, becoming an administrator in 2004 at John S. Charleton and in 2013 with F. Neil Postlethwait Middle School. Most recently, she served as the Supervisor of Special Education at Brandywine School District.
In addition, Failing served as an adjunct professor at Wilmington University’s doctorate program and is currently an adjunct professor with Delaware State University teaching American Sign Language. She was named Delaware Association of Educational Professionals’ State Administrator of the Year in 2020 and Delaware Secondary Principal of the year in 2022.
Preferring to be called Kris, Failing wss a coach and volunteer with Special Olympics Delaware and worked teo increase student participation in the competition.
