Letter from Brenda V. McNeil - The 2023 Chamber Board President

It is my great honor to serve as the 2023 President of the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors! This organization is near and dear to my heart, having been a member for 12 years and serving on the Board since 2020. As Western Chester County continues to see a long-awaited surge in growth and development, the Chamber of Commerce will stay true to our mission of connecting business members to each other and resources as well as supporting continued prosperity.

I often say when explaining Chambers of Commerce to others that each has its own unique and significant signature. As a Chamber, we promote and support business growth and economic development for our membership, in addition we have some niche 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 Chamber continues to build awareness and promote the importance of the skilled trades among youth, parents, and educators. The Chamber’s Time for the Trades Initiative highlights the successful career opportunities available at businesses right here in western Chester County. Lastly, our Chamber celebrates our number one industry, agriculture. We’re committed to advocating for our local farmers and work toward smart growth and preservation of this beautiful area that has so much access to locally grown fresh foods.

2023 will be a big year for our Chamber. We now have three full-time staff members, providing us with more resources to grow membership and build opportunities while expanding our offerings to businesses across our region. 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 and Membership Coordinator and most recent, we’ve welcomed Morgan Wallace as our Program Development Coordinator, our potential for growth continues. Welcome, Morgan!

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 (a.k.a 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 and 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