By: Ashley Pierce, WCCCC
The Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated their Annual Dinner, hosted at French Creek Golf Club and powered by Presence Bank. The dinner celebration was led by the 2024 Chamber President Mikaila Szkil, whose yearly theme was “It Takes a Village to Grow Business.”
The night’s two award recipients live that theme every day, embodying what it means to be a true community and Chamber of Commerce advocate. Executive Director Rachel Cathell presented Bill Shaw, of Life Transforming Ministries, with the Joseph G. Filoromo, Jr. Community Service Award, for his decades of unparalleled community service in western Chester County.
“For 45 years, we’ve used this dinner as a platform to award the Joseph G. Filoromo, Jr. Community Service Award to an individual that has made their mark on the minds and hearts of our community,” said Cathell. “For many years, Bill Shaw has been passionate about seeing the whole church partner as one, for community transformation. By offering his time and skills and convening people, Bill has created a sense of unity and has contributed significantly to the social fabric of Coatesville.”
Bill Shaw also successfully managed the Volunteer Income Assistance Program for the past 20 years. Under his leadership, Life Transforming Ministries created a partnership that brought Harcum College to the City of Coatesville, increasing educational access for local students. Shaw works with a team that breathes hope into others, through the New Mornings Re-Entry Program, which connects men and women from the Chester County Prison to local resources.
Shaw’s community service doesn’t end there. He is a founding member of the Financial Stability Partnership of the United Way of Chester County. He is a founding member, past president, and current Board member of the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance. He also serves on the Planning Commission, Pension Commission, Chester County Workforce Development Board, Greater Coatesville Health Equity Group, and Netzer.
“My way of life is a way of service. It’s not a solo mission. It’s done best with a team, and it’s done best in community.” said Shaw, as he accepted the award. “There are four things I want to share tonight from my story, which are the optimism of faith, the necessity of freedom, maximizing the value of life, and the amazing people that are around me.”
State Representative Dan Williams was in attendance, recognizing Shaw for his hard work and community commitment. “I appreciate Bill’s humility, but I also recognize that he’s been at this work for a few decades now.” Turning to face Shaw, Williams continued, “I’m not sure you’ll ever be aware that your work and your sacrifice as a family has changed the trajectory of families and futures forever.”
Following the presentation of the community service award, Ashley Pierce, Communications and Membership Coordinator of WCCCC, had the honor of presenting the Elliot R. Jones Award to Brenda McNeil, of Mahoney Environmental. With this award, WCCCC strives to recognize Chamber members that are empowering business to excel.
Pierce said, “Brenda is first in line to help our Chamber staff put together all of our programs and events, whether it’s at the check in table, hanging up signs, or running to get ice, we can always count on her. She is continuously one of the first to arrive and the last to leave, providing us with invaluable support, from our smallest to largest events.”
Upon accepting the award, McNeil said, “This community is really something special. We are the feel-good Chamber, we are the Chamber that roots for each other, supports each other. That’s what I love about this community more than anything. I love this Chamber; it really is my heart.”
Both recipients received citations from the office of Senator Carolyn T. Comitta and the Chester County Commissioners.
As the outgoing Chamber President, Mikaila Szkil reflected on the 2024 year.
“The Chamber continues to uphold its mission to connect members to new ideas, resources, and relationships to achieve their goals. This past year, the Chamber awarded the Corporate Citizenship Recognition to Arts Holding Hands & Hearts and Breuninger Insurance for their unwavering commitment and contributions to our community. We also presented our first ever Small Business of the Year Award to Triple Fresh Market and Doe Run Catering to celebrate the creative determination they enlisted to grow their business. We hosted the Chester County Commissioners to share the 2024 priorities at Breakfast with the Commissioners. We brought together elected officials during the Legislative Roundtable. We welcomed the General Building Contractors Association, JGM Steel, and Electrical Plus as our panelists at the annual Time for the Trades.”
Szkil finished her speech with a nod to the future, “As we close out 2024 and welcome in 2025, I’m proud of all the hard work the Chamber has done the past year, and everyone here is proof of that. Throughout the year, I stated that it takes a village to raise a business. Looking back, I can say with pride that ChescoWest continues to be that village.”
Also at the event, the Chamber introduced the 2025 Incoming President, John H. Lymberis, owner of Harry’s the Neighborhood Place, Athena’s Kafenio, and ZING Sushi. “I’m the first third-time President of the Chamber. I look back and I try to look forward, so I came up with ‘Praising our Past, Forging our Future.’ I think that’s our job at this point. We need to think about the next step for western Chester County.”
In 2025, the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce will begin its 109th year as a business connector and community advocate, strengthening the western Chester County region as it continues to grow and thrive.