Delaware Investments, has added three new hires to its distribution team, supporting both its institutional and retail business. Dennis MacDonald Jr. joined Delaware as a regional director supporting Southern California. Matthew E. Schmelzer and Woodward �Skip� Corkran have joined the firm�s institutional group in sales and client services, respectively.

MacDonald joined Delaware on Jan. 9 from Congress Asset Management where he served as a vice president. He is responsible for Delaware's mutual funds and separately managed accounts business in Orange County, Calirfornia and San Diego and reports to Brett Wright, western divisional manager.

Schmelzer comes to Delaware from Callan Associates where he most recently served as an investment consultant. He is responsible for supporting institutional sales and consultant relations efforts in the western United States, working closely with Trevor Blum, a senior member of the team. Schmelzer works out of the firm�s San Francisco office and reports to Aiden Redmond, head of institutional distribution.

And Corkran joins from BlackRock where he served as managing directer in the firm's global client group's US Institutional team. He reports to Gerald Nichols, head of institutional client services.

�We have an unparalleled opportunity right now at Delaware as our performance is very strong across the board," stated J. Scott Coleman, head of distribution and marketing at Delaware. "Adding selectively to the distribution team allows us to further leverage this opportunity.�

Company press Release Delaware Investments adds staff, �striking while the iron is hot�

PHILADELPHIA, January 30, 2012 � Delaware Investments, a member of Macquarie Group, has added three staff members to its distribution team, supporting both its institutional and retail business. Dennis A. MacDonald Jr. joined Delaware Investments as a regional director supporting Southern California. Matthew E. Schmelzer and Woodward �Skip� Corkran joined the firm�s institutional group in sales and client services, respectively.

�We�re excited to have three talented and experienced sales professionals join our distribution team,� said J. Scott Coleman, head of distribution and marketing at Delaware Investments. �We have an unparalleled opportunity right now at Delaware as our performance is very strong across the board. Adding selectively to the distribution team allows us to further leverage this opportunity.� As of Dec. 31, 2011, 80% of Delaware Investments� mutual funds have garnered four or five Morningstar stars on a load-waived basis, 41% on a non-load-waived basis (source: Morningstar).*

Among Delaware�s marketed institutional composites, 67% outperformed their respective benchmarks over the one-year timeframe, and 83 beat their respective benchmarks over the three-year timeframe. MacDonald, who joined Delaware on Jan. 9, has more than 20 years of industry experience, including with Merrill Lynch, Lord Abbett, John Hancock Funds, and TCW. He is responsible for Delaware Investments mutual funds and separately managed accounts business in Orange County and San Diego.

Schmelzer, a CFA, comes to Delaware from Callan Associates where he most recently served as an investment consultant. He is responsible for supporting institutional sales and consultant relations efforts in the western United States, working closely with Trevor Blum, a senior member of the team, who has represented Delaware to institutions and consultants in the western region since joining the firm in 2004. Schmelzer works out of the firm�s San Francisco office.

Corkran has more than 20 years of experience in the asset management industry, including his past 10 years with BlackRock and four years with Unisys where he was responsible for researching, implementing and monitoring investment strategy for $7 billion in the Unisys defined benefit pension plan portfolio and its 401k plan. In addition, Corkran held positions with SEI and Investorforce.com. He is part of Delaware�s institutional client service group, responsible for working with clients in the Mid-Atlantic area. He and Schmelzer joined Delaware on Jan. 30.

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