All in the Family

Before Bill Hayes had graduated high school, his future was clear to him. He knew that one day he would take over his family business, Delaware Provision Company, Inc. – a family-owned company that process sausages and offers premium catering services.

Hayes pursued a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at Delaware Tech to prepare him to contribute to his family business, where he now serves as the operations manager. He had such a good experience that he returned for a second degree in Food Service Management and Culinary Arts a few years later.

“The education I received at Delaware Tech has helped me move our family business forward,” he says. “The business I was raised with was very mom-and-pop style. Now we are moving to the next level.” This next level includes expanding the business to a downstate location in Sussex County, as well as operating a food truck that travels throughout the area serving up homemade sausages sandwiches, sides and more.

Hayes says that his success at Delaware Tech came from building relationships. He is still in touch with instructors and turns to them for information, advice and networking. “The relationships go beyond graduation,” he says.