Legacy, Leadership, and Loretta: A Look Back at DelCor’s Roots and the Road Ahead (redrop S1E1)

Host Dave Coriale re-releases the very first episode of the podcast in honor of Loretta DeLuca, DelCor’s Founder and CEO. Joined by longtime colleague Brian Sheehan, the trio reflects on the early days of DelCor, their shared journey through decades of tech evolution, and the values that shaped the company’s culture. This heartfelt conversation offers a glimpse into the foundation of DelCor, the transformation of the association community, and the enduring legacy Loretta leaves behind.

In this redrop of Season 1, Episode 1, Dave, Loretta, and Brian discuss:

• DelCor’s Origin Story 
  • Loretta, Dave, and Brian share how they met and began working together.
  • Early days of crawling under desks, rebuilding Novell servers, and programming in dBase and R:Base.
  • Loretta’s role as one of the first Gold Novell resellers in the DC area.
• From Law Firms to Associations 
  • Transition from serving law firms and insurance agencies to focusing exclusively on associations.
  • The moment Loretta identified associations as DelCor’s true market.
  • The cultural and mission-driven differences that drew them to the nonprofit sector.
• First Association Clients & Conferences 
  • Memories of their first association clients and attending their first conference in Las Vegas.
  • The excitement (and exhaustion) of exhibiting for the first time.
  • Longstanding client relationships, including one that began in the early ’90s and continues today.
• Technology Evolution in the Association Space 
  • The shift from on-premise to cloud computing started around 2008.
  • The impact of .NET and the rise of integrated systems.
  • The growing importance of data analytics and AI in decision-making.
• Strategic Role of Technology 
  • Technology’s evolution from a task-based tool to a strategic enabler.
  • The need for IT to have a seat at the leadership table.
  • Challenges associations face in fully leveraging their data and systems.
• Looking Ahead: What Associations Need Now 
  • Cultural shifts around how organizations view and use technology.
  • The importance of aligning IT with strategic goals.
  • Encouragement for associations to invest in analytics and integration.
• DelCor’s Culture & Values 
  • Reflections on 30+ years of shared values, growth, and collaboration.
  • Pride in building a company culture where people stay for decades.
  • The essence of DelCor: a team driven by purpose, community, and mutual respect.