Letter from Justin Chan, Chamber President
I
am honored to serve as the 2022 president of the family. I grew to enjoy attending chamber events, not just to Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce Board of market my business, but to have a good time and catch-up Directors; an organization that works to enhance business on the latest local news and happenings. and community well-being in the western I began to feel like this was not just a place portion of the county. This is an exciting I was living at but rather a community I am time for this region. The City of Coatesville part of, with a proud history. It’s fun to hear is in the middle of a new renaissance with stories from chamber members whose famiboth public and private projects moving lies have been doing business in our area for ahead to revitalize the business district. multiple generations. Members like Mark Valley Township is experiencing growth as Milanese of Milanese Remodeling, Jonathan local businesses expand their footprint in Wright of the Wright Agency, Greg Vietri of the area. Honey Brook Township continues G.A. Vietri, Inc, Kirstin Wentz-McElroy of to add to their 5,000 acres of agricultural Wentz Funeral Homes, Joseph Regenski of easement preservation, Atglen is opening Breuninger Insurance, and Alissa Griffith a new library and Parkesburg is gearing up of Quik-Stop Pharmacy among many other to celebrate its 150th birthday. Look out for businesses that have started and chosen invitations to multiple ribbon cuttings for to stay in our community for many years Justin Chan new businesses in our region this year as we through multiple generations. all grow together. For the Chamber, my business produced the show called This is a year of leadership change for our Chamber of Western Chester County Checks In. I am excited to conCommerce as we say goodbye to our Executive Director tinue developing the video segments in 2022 to get the Donna Steltz after 20 years of service. The board of direc- word out about what our member businesses are up to. A tors is excited to welcome Rachel Cathell as our new big thanks to everyone who helped with the show over the Executive Director. Rachel moves into this position after past two years! Our volunteer reporters made all the differserving four years at our Chamber in a communications ence with the show; Alissa Griffith of Quik-Stop Pharmacy, role. I along with the board will be there to support Rachel Jonathan Wright of Wright Agency Insurance, Brenda and her team during the transition. McNeil of Mahoney Environmental, Claudia Muntean of A little about my background, my sister and I were Clarel Janitorial & Maintenance, and Greg Vietri of G.A. born and raised in Chester County. My parents are both Vietri, Inc. transplants with my dad from Hong Kong and my mom Business, at its core, is about people. It is about building from upstate New York. When I finished college (Temple and maintaining those relationships, something our chamUniversity BA and Penn State MBA) I started my video pro- ber does extremely well. This concept is what I would like duction company called Valley Creek Productions, ranked to highlight this year during my presidency; how our chamtop 25 LGBT Owned Companies by the Philadelphia ber is like family. Or as a fellow board member said to me, Business Journal 2016-2021. As I grew my business, I “the family you want to be with.” started looking for a place to live. I told my friends I was If you want to become a part of our family join us at one of considering Coatesville and the typical reaction was, “The our many upcoming events and you’ll find out quickly how city of Philadelphia is where the action is, you should be much our chamber can help grow your business. I thank all living in Philly”, but the price was right to live out here; I of you for welcoming me into this family. I’m glad I didn’t liked the slower pace, less traffic, and quiet that comes from follow my friend’s advice on where to live 15 years ago. living away from the big city. When I started growing my business, I joined the Western Sincerely, Chester County Chamber of Commerce. I noticed right Justin Chan away how down to earth the people are. It really felt like Valley Creek Productions 8
——Spring/Summer
2022 • Volume 10——
