FIRST QUARTER 2024
2024 BOARD PRESIDENT
I am honored to be the 2024 President for the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce. This organization has become a second home to me over the past few years and I look forward to helping others experience that as well. The chamber truly embodies its mission statement for a thriving region that is well-connected, innovative, and accessible for community and business growth. In these past years, Chesco West has seen a lot of change and growth, but we are just getting started. Brenda McNeil was right to say in the beginning of her presidency that 2023 would be a big year for the chamber and the Western Chester County area – and it looks like 2024 is ramping up to have the same exciting expectations........ Continued on page 6.
WHAT’S INSIDE NEW BOARD MEMBERS BUSINESS NEWS CHAMBER EXPERIENCE UPCOMING EVENTS
OUTGOING BOARD PRESIDENT
Brenda McNeil, Mahoney Environmental
2023 was a busy year for our Chamber, and that’s the way we like it! Our region is growing and changing in so many positive ways. Small businesses and restaurants continue to populate our local downtown areas. Larger businesses are consistently supporting this growth with their time and generosity. The Coatesville Train Station is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2025. And Coatesville specifically is becoming a haven for small business startups, thanks to so many organizations in town. It’s wonderful to see the collaborative spirit at work in ChescoWest. Over 35 events were hosted by our Chamber in 2023. Ribbon cuttings began in February at Elite Therapy Solutions at their new location. In May, we celebrated a ribbon cutting for the New Pizza Hut n Coatesville. In June, we were grateful to be a part of......
Continued on page 7.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Mikaila Szkil | President | Citadel Credit Union
John H. Lymberis | President Elect | Harry’s Neighborhood Place
Alissa Steele-Griffith | Vice President | Quik-Stop Pharmacy
Mike Guyer | Treasurer | Mid Penn Bank
Brenda McNeil | Past President | Mahoney Environmental
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vincent Carosella, Esq. | Carosella & Associates, P.C.
Justin Chan | Valley Creek Productions
Brian Chenger | Coatesville Area School District
Travis Geiser | Chester County Visitors’ Bureau
Christopher Gerber, Esq. | Siana Law
Amber Little-Turner | Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance
Cliff Masscotte | SERVPro of Kennett Sq./Oxford
Diana Mattingly | First Resource Bank
Joseph Messner, Jr. | JGM Fabricators & Constructors
Claudia Muntean | Clarel Maintenance
Sarah Petro | Triple Fresh & Doe Run Catering
Joseph Regenski | Breuninger Insurance
Jessica Rigo, YMCA of Greater Brandywine
Patti Shores | Home2Suites by Hilton
Matthew Siter | Forrest Hardscape & Landscape
Greg Vietri | G.A. Vietri, Inc.
Kirstin Wentz McElroy | Wentz Funeral Home
STAFF
Rachel Cathell | Executive Director
Rachel@westernchestercounty.com
Ashley Pierce | Communications + Membership
Ashley@westernchestercounty.com
Morgan Swindler | Program Development
Morgan@westernchestercounty com
Our mission is to connect members to new ideas, resources, and relationships to achieve their goals.
Our vision is to create a thriving region that is well-connected, innovative, and accessible for community and business growth.
Our goals are to promote the Chamber as the leading resource for businesses and organizations in our community, to build regional cooperation to strengthen business retention, growth, and revitalization, and to enhance value for members through education and events.
NEW MEMBERS
Changing Times Realty Group
Clark Faggioli | (610) 842-8264
Changing Times Realty Group is a full-service real estate and service company, providing complete real estate and property management.
Hope and Coffee Coatesville
Vicki Marsh | (610) 741-4402
Hope and Coffee Coatesville is a non-profit, recovery-oriented coffee house and networking center.
Locust Lane Riding Center
Shelly Pelet | (484) 883-1844
Locust Lane Riding Center is a beautiful farm, focusing on the benefits of equine-assisted therapies to help people overcome adversity and reach their full potential.
NEW MEMBERS
Choice Custom Cabinetry & Design
Steven Stoltzfus | (417) 599-0317
Choice Custom Cabinetry & Design is located in Honey Brook and provides custom kitchens, vanities, bars, trim work, entertainment centers, office suites, bathrooms, murphy beds and fireplaces.
Grocery Outlet Parkesburg
Valerie Baker | (215) 534-5786
Grocery Outlet offers a full range of products, including fresh produce, meat, deli, and dairy, along with a wide assortment of natural and organic choices Grocery Outlet also carries a large selection of beer and wine, health and beauty care, and seasonal items.
Ted Trevorrow, Medicare Advisor
Ted Trevorrow | (302) 593-7949
Ted Trevorrow specializes in advising Pennsylvania seniors on all matters related to Medicare Insurance Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans.
The Stove Shop
Patrick Ryan | (610) 935-9334
The Stove Shop is a multi-generational business that offers installation & service of fireplaces, stoves and inserts.
> 5 years
Alexander Catering Company
Colonial Electric Supply
Denron Sign Company
H2O Connected
Hidden Valley Self Storage
Lieberman Earley & Co.
Link Interiors
Outfront Media
YMCA of Greater Brandywine
5-10 years
Cairns Family Farm
Chester County Ag Development Council
Chester County Fencing
Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance
Coventry Environmental, Inc.
Electric Advisors Consulting, LLC
Fidelity Contracting, LLC
First Resource Bank
James J. Terry Funeral Home
Lamb McErlane, PC
SERVPRO of Kennett Sq./Oxford
Stottsville Inn
The Tree Connection
Wills Property Maintenance
ZING Sushi
10 -15 years
Brandywine Regeneration Project
Chester County Recorder of Deeds
First Liberty Partners
Heatherwood Retirement Community
Highspire Hills Farm, LLC
Joe Ward Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Keen, Keen & Good
Penn Rise Advisors
Precision Flooring Enterprises, LLC
Presence Bank
Triple Fresh Catering
15+ years
ChesPenn Health Services, Inc.
Five Point Renovation & Remodel
Summers & Zims
Quinn, M. Cynthia, CPA
REGIONAL NEWS
The Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Planning Committee works on initiatives in regard to issues of a regional or multi-municipal nature and work together with both public and private sectors to connect the western Chester County region. The committee provides support to promote growth in business, transportation, revitalization efforts, workforce and to encourage multi-municipal cooperation.
What’s Happening Across the Region?
Connecting us all, the 30-bypass expansion is in its design phases for Downingtown to the Reeceville Road exit.
Wallace Township is underway on a makeover of Wagensellor Park including a new pavilion, parking lot and updated basketball and pickleball courts.
Atglen Borough also continues their new park project behind their municipal building. They are also adding in 4 new pickleball courts.
Valley Township continues on the Valley Suburban Center build that has 90 townhomes with a new approval for 100 more. In addition to that, the township will see the Westwood Bridge Subdivision of 87 single family homes.
Honey Brook Township has four new farms slated to go to preservation in 2024 and have completed multiple stormwater improvements. They’re also expecting a new skatepark project to get underway in the end of year.
West Sadsbury Township is working on new traffic studies and updating their Comprehensive Plan which is their vision for future growth and development in their Township. Sadsbury Township are also gearing up to do new Comprehensive Plans. The Borough of Parkesburg has some rail movement as PennDot and Amtrak have committed to part one of the three-part series to update the station.
The Borough of Modena received grants for stormwater management and the reconstruction and remodeling of Woodlawn Avenue.
In West Brandywine Township, the Reserve at Cross Creek by Judd Builders broke ground for 178 new townhomes.
The City of Coatesville has movement occurring in about 40 economic development projects, is tackling multiple stormwater irrigation problems and are underway in planning for park improvements across all of their City Parks.
Caln Township welcomed a new daycare, farmers market and coffee shop to their community. Caln has started or completed a handful of residential projects: the Willows at Valley Run Apartments, My Place Apartments and Townhomes, the Hills at Thorndale Woods, and the Villages at Hill View.
2024 BOARD PRESIDENT
Mikaila Szkil, Citadel Credit UnionContinued from front cover...
Our chamber team of Rachel Cathell, Ashley Pierce and Morgan Swindler did an amazing job in 2023 in working with the Board of Directors, chamber committees and its members to bring wonderful events throughout the year. I am looking forward to working with everyone in 2024 to make this year just as successful as 2023 was. A little bit about me – I was born and raised in Chester County and have lived here for most of my life. After high school, I attended college at the State University of New York at Fredonia to study music. Fredonia is a small-town that is about an hour south of Buffalo. I graduated with a degree in music business in 2011 but wasn’t sure what my next steps were. I also wasn’t a fan of all the snow that the area received each year, being a few miles away from Lake Erie, so I decided to move back to Chester County. For a while, I had no idea what I wanted to do with regards to a career I remember my dad kept encouraging me to apply at Citadel Credit Union. I always wonder why he recommended Citadel, but after some stubbornness on my part, I was hired for a teller position in 2013 and have been with Citadel since then.
I have worked in several positions within the branch world at Citadel. These have included working in branches in Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks County. I have gained an immense amount of knowledge from those positions and from the mentors that I have been lucky to work with and still get to work with today I was able to work full time and complete my MBA in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University in 2018 through online courses and am grateful for the support that I received from Citadel to be able to achieve this accomplishment.
One of the reasons I feel that I identified so much with the chamber in the beginning was its focus on strengthening communities and helping bring
people together, just like Citadel’s mission’s statement of building strength together The chamber continuously offers many opportunities and support for current and prospective members. Through this, they can show how much of an integral part this chamber plays in Western Chester County.
The community that the chamber has created is special. As I mentioned at the annual dinner, it takes a village to raise a business, and Chesco West is truly that village. I cannot wait to see what comes out of 2024 and I am excited to experience that with everyone in this chamber.
Sincerely,
Mikaila Szkil Citadel Credit UnionOUTGOING BOARD PRESIDENT
Brenda McNeil, Mahoney EnvironmentalContinued from front cover...
the Made in Coatesville Small Business Incubator ribbon cutting We also celebrated with Board Member, Past President, and current chamber President-elect, John Lymberis, and his family for the opening of Athena’s Kafenio, an extension of their legacy in Sadsburyville. So next time you have a hot dog at Harry’s or sushi at Zing, make your way west to Athena’s for coffee and dessert. Many of us had the pleasure of celebrating Piasecki Helicopter coming to Coatesville Airport, and that was a true celebration of things to come. Signature events such as Breakfast with the Commissioners, the Membership Extravaganza, the Legislative Round Table, Gala on the Greene, and Future Focus have had more attendance than ever before. And our monthly happy hours are always a worthwhile outing.
It was a big year for staff development, and we have an amazing team! I’m so proud of our Executive Director, Rachel Cathell’s continued outstanding leadership. She, along with her staff of Ashley Pierce and Morgan Swindler are the trifecta of our success. We are very lucky to have such talented, dynamic, creative professionals leading us. I’ve loved every minute of collaborating with them and cheering them on and look forward to continuing to do so as Past President The strength of our chamber lies in our membership and community I have been involved in various chambers and membership organizations throughout my career, and they all have positive aspects. But this group in this place right now is home to me. Most members join to grow their business, but I don’t think that’s the only reason so many of us stay. You won’t find a lot of ‘I’m in it for me ’ people in this chamber. Of course, we all want to prosper, but what makes us exceptional is the support we show for each other and the community. When you get to know us,
you have cheerleaders who are equally happy to celebrate your achievements as much as their own.
For 2024, I see us continuing our mission to connect members, resources, and relationships to help everyone achieve their goals. This commitment is how we will move forward toward a thriving region that is wellconnected, innovative, and accessible for business growth. There are lots of changes coming and that brings with it a lot of excitement but also new challenges. The balance of celebrating our history while growing and changing is not without its tests. I’m proud to say that this community shows continued dedication to doing just that. I’m so hopeful for the future!
Finally, a big congratulations to our 2024 President of the Board, Mikaila Szkil. I have every confidence that she will do an amazing job!
Sincerely,
Brenda McNeil Mahoney EnvironmentalMEET THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS
AMBER LITTLE-TURNER | COATESVILLE 2ND CENTURY ALLIANCE
Amber Little-Turner brings extensive experience in both state and federal government, having worked with retired State Representative Harry Lewis, Jr. and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey. Beyond her government roles, she has served as the Philadelphia Regional Manager and Executive Director for LegalShield, Inc. Amber's early involvement in local government and the judicial system includes her work as a Court Clerk for the Honorable Gwenn Knapp in the County of Chester.
Currently, Amber serves as the Executive Director for Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance, actively contributing to economic development in the City of Coatesville and fostering community prosperity. Additionally, she is a proud member of the Board with the Brandywine YMCA and serves on the Board of the Brandywine Valley Active Aging center.
Furthermore, Amber is a Realtor with Keller Williams, The Matt Gorham Team, showcasing her skills in the real estate sector. As a dedicated Coatesville resident, she actively participates in community initiatives and is a member of Coatesville Rotary. Alongside her husband Marvin and their four children, Amber finds joy in family time and volunteers for local non-profit organizations.
MEET THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS
JESSICA RIGO | YMCA BRANDYWINE
Although she didn’t realize it at the time, Jess began her YMCA career in high school working as a lifeguard and swim instructor. She graduated from Penn State University and Immaculata University with degrees in Psychology and pursued a career in mental health.
Jess has spent most of her life being a part of the Y movement. She became a member at the Brandywine YMCA attending Y programs with her young children. In 2015, Jess accepted a full-time role at the Lancaster Family YMCA; she then went on to work for the Greater Philadelphia YMCA. Her ultimate goal was to eventually come back to the Y that she considers her home, the Brandywine Branch.
Jess is passionate about diversity and inclusion and is excited has continued to expand the Y’s impactful work in her home community. Jess lives in Coatesville with her family and two German Shepherds. In her free moments, she enjoys numerous outdoor activities (especially anything involving sunshine and water) and spending time with family and friends.
CHAMBER EXPERIENCE
Chamber members kicked off the year at the Coffee with the Chamber event at Athena’s Kafenio.
We discovered the County Commissioners’ outlook and plans at our Breakfast with the Commissioners event.
Doe Run Catering was honored with the 2024 Small Business of the Year Award.
Chamber members networked at Coatesville Country Club for our Member Extravaganza.
The Local Government 201 training course was held to educate attendees on the many facets of local government.
Ashley Pierce checked in with Monica Ferguson from 19320GO!
PENNSYLVANIA FREE ENTERPRISE WEEK
Building Skills, Promoting Business, Delivering Results
Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW) is offered by the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education (FFEE), PFEW uniquely prepares our students for successful careers right here at home and ensures businesses have a skilled workforce.
PFEW 2023 graduate Maddie Miller explains why PFEW is so important, “I went into the program without any real interest in business and came out as a changed person. I had no idea the tools I would gain from this. Building a company from scratch with eighteen people that you just met was nothing short of a challenge. Throughout my time, I saw my company grow closer as a group but also grow individually as people. Personally, I developed leadership, speaking, and collaborative skills that I will take with me throughout my career endeavors.”
PFEW is entirely funded and taught by the PA business community and is open to all rising juniors and seniors in PA. It’s a powerful hands-on program that teaches students to understand modern business and the American free enterprise system. Students form teams and manage a manufacturing company competing with other companies. Along the way, they gain the knowledge and skills that uniquely prepare them for successful careers and lives right here in PA. Since its inception, over 50,000 students have participated in this award-winning program.
FFEE offers two additional programs that prepare students for success. The Stock Market Game (SMG) is a hands-on in-class program for students in grades 4-12 that focuses on financial literacy, investing and capital markets. The Speaker Series helps students explore careers, discover regional scholarship and career opportunities, build a mentor network, and more.
FFEE’s three-pronged approach to youth and workforce development promotes the finest ideals of business and free enterprise and creates our next generation of productive, engaged employees and leaders.
To support PFEW or to learn more about these vital FFEE programs, visit www.pfew.org or contact VP of Marketing & Development Scott Lee at (814) 833-9576 ext. 8, or scott@pfew.org.
