It is my great honor to serve as the President of the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2023! This organization is near and dear to my heart, having been a member for 12 years and serving on the Board since 2020. As the City of Coatesville and Western Chester County continues to see long-awaited growth and development, the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce will stay true to our mission of connecting members to each other and resources, supporting continued prosperity.
Following Justin Chan’s (Valley Creek Productions) Presidency is no easy task. He continues to be a champion for our chamber and the area through creation of so much valuable video content. From our Checks In series to documentation of so many local happenings, Justin is an invaluable member of our chamber and community.
2023 will be a big year for our Chamber and the area.
We now have three full-time staff members, giving us more resources to grow membership and build sponsorship opportunities while expanding our offerings to all of you. Rachel Cathell recently completed her first full year as Executive Director and I’m thrilled with the work she has done. Ashley Pierce has continued to excel in her role as Communications & Membership Coordinator. With the recent addition of Morgan Wallace as our Program Development Coordinator, our potential for growth continues. Welcome, Morgan! I have every confidence that this team will take us to the next level.
I often say when explaining Chambers of Commerce to others that each has its own significant signature. As a Chamber, we promote and support economic
development for our membership, but we also have some specific focuses. First, I love this Chamber because of the collaborative spirit the Board of Directors and membership brings to strengthen what already shines about our community. Secondly, our ongoing work to build awareness to young people, parents, and educators of the opportunities in the trades continues. Western Chester County needs that work force and there are so many incredible opportunities for young people or anyone looking for a change. Lastly, we provide strong support for our farmers. Western Chester County remains a beautiful area with so much access to locally grown fresh foods. Our agricultural focus continues to support that.
A bit about me. My family relocated from Wilmington, Delaware to Landenberg, Pennsylvania when I was two years old. My parents, like many Delawareans, were seeking a quieter life. We settled on a small farm on Flint Hill Road with horses and a respectable garden. The youngest of four siblings, my early childhood was full of playing outside and romping around in the woods. I moved to Newark, Delaware as a young adult and spent many years working in hospitality management. Returning to college in the early 2000s, I completed a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science in 2007, and Master of Science in Organization Leadership in 2009, both from Wilmington University.
A life change in 2010 brought me back to Chester County as I settled with my new husband, Robert McNeil (aka Biff) in Kennett Square and then to his longtime family home in the center of West Grove. I joined my husband working for a small, locally owned, green energy company called Waste Oil Recyclers. This led me to this Chamber and the Communications Committee. Former Executive Director Donna Steltz and the membership couldn’t have been more welcoming. Fast forward to 2017, and Waste Oil Recyclers was purchased by Mahoney Environmental, a national company headquartered outside of Chicago.
Biff and I decided several years ago that we wanted to move our life to Western Chester County and began looking for a home. We landed in Parkesburg in 2018 and haven’t looked back. Our blended family consists of five children, ranging in age from 17 to 31. Biff is an accomplished musician who continues to perform in his spare time. We actively support the local live music community.
The Western Chester County Chamber is more than a business organization for me. It is my second family. The enjoyment and encouragement I have received from fellow members is immeasurable. I endeavor to always mirror that support to all of you as we move ahead into exciting times! Thank you for entrusting me with this position and welcoming me into this vibrant, diverse community.
Sincerely,
Brenda V. McNeil
Mahoney Environmental