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THE VOICE OF CHESTER COUNTY DECEMBER 2013

In This Issue Click the Title Below to take to you the article or scroll down

Member Ambassador Committee

Meet Your Board - Linda Taylor

Welcome New Members

Upcoming Events

Advocacy Update with Craig Tucker

Photo Gallery

Member Spotlight - Seth Birch

Emerging Leaders Networking

Guest Article - Michelle Wartluft

Youth Leadership Follow Up

the

Voice

Small Business of the Year Award

A lot has been said and written about the importance of small businesses to the local, state, and national

economy. On a national basis, small businesses represent about half of the private-sector economy. They have

also outperformed larger businesses in increasing employment in almost every quarter since the beginning of the

economic downturn. But small businesses aren’t just the main employers and key engines of our economy—they

also make our communities unique, strong, and vibrant.

That’s why every year, The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry honors these important organizations

at The Annual Small Business Dinner and recognizes one small business that best exemplifies the qualities that

are crucial to business success at any level: an entrepreneurial spirit, the highest caliber of products and

services, willingness to adapt and innovate through challenges, and strong ties to the community through

service and leadership. This year’s process brought a record number of high quality nominees, signaling the

continued interest in small business success across the county and making the field of nominees unusually

competitive. Chester County and The Chamber are fortunate to have so many fine small businesses whose

success provides employment to thousands of our residents and whose community contributions outside their

industries are truly impressive.

Ultimately, the committee agreed there was one organization that

best exemplified the qualities mentioned above. We are pleased

to announce that The Small Business of the Year is

Gawthrop Greenwood, PC

continued on pg 2.

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Gawthrop Greenwood, PC Attorneys at Law, West Chester

First established as a family legal practice in 1904, Gawthrop Greenwood has a long and rich history in

Chester County. In their 100+ years, the firm has produced four judges, the county’s first female judge,

seven presidents of the Chester County Bar Association, and dozens of prominent lawyers and

community leaders. Continuing its innovative leadership, Gawthrop Greenwood became Chester County’s

first mid-size firm to elect a woman as manager. Today it employs 23 attorneys and 15 support personnel

in its comprehensive practice in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland.

But these numbers, however impressive, aren’t all it takes to be recognized as The Small Business of the

Year. Over the years, Gawthrop Greenwood has adapted to overcome significant challenges—from the

Great Depression and wartime to the economic downturn of 2008 and the widespread legal downsizing

that accompanied it. Through those challenges, Gawthrop Greenwood has not only maintained high

quality service, but expanded both its clientele and personnel. ―Maintaining an entrepreneurial, hands-on

approach has been at the heart of Gawthrop Greenwood’s management,‖ says firm partner Patrick

McKenna. McKenna adds that the creative utilization of technology, along with a commitment to

employee development and community involvement, has enabled the firm’s continued success. The

Small Business committee was particularly impressed with Gawthrop’s numerous examples of

community service, which are too numerous to list here.

To help us recognize all small businesses of Chester County, join us at the CCCBI Annual Small Business

Dinner on January 23 at The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center. The Chamber wishes Gawthrop

Greenwood and all of the region’s small businesses continued success as they strive to make Chester

County the best possible place to live and work.

Calling All Ambassadors!

We are looking to grow our Member Ambassador Committee in 2014! As a part of this committee, there

is no better way to get to know the Chamber and connect with like-minded individuals to help carry out

the work of the Chamber.

The Chester County Chamber Ambassadors are a unique group of member volunteers who assist the

CCCBI and staff with member outreach and retention programs. They act as the member relations arm of

the Chamber, promoting benefits to demonstrate the value of membership to both existing and future

members. Throughout the year, Ambassadors attend CCCBI events, contact members to relay

information, gather feedback, identify concerns and elicit support for the Chamber. These dynamic

individuals act as mentors to new and existing members by helping them become acquainted and

involved in CCCBI programs and initiatives. In appreciation of their work and commitment to the

Chamber, the Ambassadors are rewarded with incentives and recognition throughout the year.

Meetings are conducted the third Thursday of every month from 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Chamber

Headquarters. If you are interested in learning more about this great opportunity, contact Lauren Magee.

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Description of Company:

Proudly celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2013, Independence Blue Cross is the leading health

insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve almost seven million people

nationwide, including 2.1 million in the region. We’re committed to finding innovative solutions to

enhance the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve, while delivering

competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors,

hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs

and events that promote wellness.

What is the best leadership/management tip you have received?

The first thing that comes to mind is good business advice from our late CEO of several years ago, Mr.

Fred DiBona. He said, ―When you’ve won the case, like a lawyer, stop arguing.‖ Meaning, don’t

oversell your point; once you’ve effectively stated your position, let it lie. I think of this often. Fred was

an attorney and said he learned this early in law school. I’m glad he shared it with me because it

comes in handy periodically in everyday business practice.

If you were not in the position you currently hold, what would you be doing?

I am so passionate about selling quality health plans for Independence Blue Cross, I can’t think of

anything I’d rather be doing, to be perfectly honest. I feel fortunate to have been given the

opportunities I’ve been afforded and am thrilled to be in a position doing what I love – and what I was

born to do. Every time an employer chooses Blue Cross I feel great about that because I know we’re

going to take care of their people well. Health care is a personal and very important need for folks to

feel secure – to truly be able to Live Fearless with the security that we have them covered. This is

absolutely what I was meant to be doing.

What is one thing that you are willing to share that one might not know about you?

My husband and I first met at Independence Blue Cross over three decades ago. Joe Zychowicz and I

worked closely together on meeting customers’ needs because I was a sales rep and he was an

underwriter. He gave me the best rates he could. We kept our dating quiet at first because it might

have been seen as a conflict of interest. He once told me he was not going to be able to show

partiality for my customers. I said of course, and I won’t be able to cook, either! April 28, 2014 will be

our 30th wedding anniversary, many happy years together and most of them together at IBC until Joe

retired a few years ago. Now we just work together at home!

What is your favorite quote?

―The most effective way to do it, is to do it.‖ ~ Amelia Earhart

Meet Your Board

Linda Taylor

Senior VP, Chief Sales Executive

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Let Us Pay You Back That’s right! Pay your annual investment prior to the

due date and you will be entered into a drawing to

win $100 in Chamber dollars to be used within the

year for any program, event, sponsorship or

advertisement. You will automatically be entered

into the drawing when we receive your renewal

payment in advance of the due date (we just love

those members!). We will also recognize our

monthly winners in an issue of The Voice, giving

your company added exposure to our membership.

The Winner for November is:

Phillips Mushrooms

Prospective Member Orientation Luncheon

Do you know a business that you think would

benefit from chamber involvement?

Send us their information and we will reach out to

them for an invitation to this upcoming lunch.

We do ask that if current members attend the

luncheon that they are accompanied by a

prospective member.

Thursday, December 19

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Chamber Headquarters

Click for more information

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Welcoming the Chamber’s Newest Members

Joined between October 31 & November 30, 2013

KP Walsh Associates

Kevin Walsh

215-920-6636

Celebrity Worldwide

Chauffeured Transportation

Dennis B. Adams

610-651-2800

The Dan Markin Company

Dan Markin

215-495-9150

Phoenix Tax Consultants

Amber Quay

610-933-3507

Springboard Media Inc,

Apple Specialist

Adam Perkowski

215-298-2322

Innovative Technologies, Inc

Bernie Kownacki

571-318-5165

The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry would like to give our membership

the CCCBI logo to place on their website. Use this to let your clients or future clients

know that you are a member of our organization.

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Calendar of Events

December 11

Emerging Leaders

Business After Hours

CCCBI HQ

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Register

December 4

Business After Hours

The Phelps School

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Register

December 13

PA Society of New York,

A Salute to Leadership

The Benjamin Hotel, NYC

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Register

December 19

Prospective Member

Orientation Luncheon

CCCBI HQ

12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

Register

January 8

Business After Hours

Raymour & Flanigan - Exton

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Register

January 16

New Member Orientation

Luncheon

CCCBI HQ

12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

Register

January 23

Annual Small Business Dinner

The Desmond Hotel &

Conference Center

5:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Register

Click here for a full

calendar of events.

Please contact us with any questions.

610-725-9100

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CCCBI Advocacy Update November Edition

Craig Tucker

Novak Strategic Advisors

CCCBI Government Consultant

Thanksgiving

This week the nation’s mood turns toward gratitude. The annual observance

of Thanksgiving, this very American of holidays, gives a moment to thank our

legislators at a moment of great achievement.

This week we will gather with family and friends and reflect on the blessings

of our lives, the bounty of our country, and our great community. While in this

reflective and grateful mood I would urge readers of this article to take time

to thank the courageous and forward thinking leaders in our community who supported the

transportation bill that was passed by the House last week and that Governor Tom Corbett signed into

law this week. It represents a new level of investment in Pennsylvania’s roads, bridges and mass transit.

It is also a long overdue investment in public safety, free flowing commerce, and a boost to key industries

like agriculture and energy.

You see the 4,400 structurally deficient bridges tied together by almost 10,000 miles of roads rated

―poor‖ are at the very least an annoyance and at the very worst a lack of investment with potentially

lethal consequences.

Last week, most of our delegation to Harrisburg heeded the call to leadership and kept an eye to a

Pennsylvania where our competitiveness, our quality of life, and the safety of our roads are of paramount

importance. No one doubts it was a hard vote due to its needed revenue sources of uncapping the oil

company franchise tax and new fees on drivers. Any vote like that is hard and we all knew that going into

this debate.

The bill they voted for will provide new investments in Pennsylvania’s infrastructure. Among them are:

$1.3 billion annually for state road and bridges

$ 480 million for public transportation

$ 237 million for local roads and bridges

$144 million for a multi-modal fund

$ 30 million for rural dirt and gravel roads

$86 million for PA Turnpike expansion projects

And creates 50,000 good paying jobs.

The Chester County Chamber supported this effort for new investment in our infrastructure. We, in the

spirit of Thanksgiving, thank these lawmaker leaders for their yes vote for Pennsylvania’s future.

Senators Dominic Pileggi, John Rafferty, Andrew Dinniman, Mike Brubaker and Mike Folmer

Representatives Becky Corbin, Tim Hennessey, Duane Milne, Chris Ross and Tom Killion

To view Chester County’s Transportation Priorities click here.

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View, like and share our photos on our facebook page!

On The Scene…

In the Loop

Mary-Ellen Allen of Lamb McErlane PC

led the discussion on Firing.

L-R - Marc Pelletier, Larry Agulnick,

Ted Boehm, and Kathy Hanick

Joint Chamber Fall Mega-Mixer &

Biz Expo at United Sports

Michelle Wartluft, Jason and Nick Porrini,

and Tom Elmer of Pixcara Studios Carey Civitella (far right) and her team from

The Marketing Department - West Chester

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Jen Croneberger,

JLynne Consulting Group, LLC

Braden Webb, Stratus Interactive

Carol Richards,

Brian’s House Enterprises

Youth Leadership Program

Kim Brumbaugh, Brumbaugh Wealth Management

and Tom Monastra, FranchiseOpt address the

students at Entrepreneurs Day for the

Foundation Youth Leadership Program.

Blake Krapf, Krapf Bus Companies

shares his story with the

students of YLP

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Description of Company:

20/10 Solutions, a full-service advertising agency, offers clients the marketing and communications

strategy, web programming, and graphic and web design tools needed to succeed today and into their

future. Clients appreciate our rapid and responsive support system, so they can focus on their core

business, while we deliver the tools they need to succeed.

Why did you join the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry?

20/10 joined CCCBI to build and strengthen our relationship with the many organizations located in

and around Chester County. In addition to the wonderful networking opportunities, 20/10 joined the

Chamber for the invaluable educational opportunities they offer each year.

If you were not in the position you currently hold, what would you be doing?

I could see myself working as an event planner for a non-profit organization. Being raised alongside a

cousin with autism opened up my eyes to the world around me a lot quicker than most children. To be

able to use my skills as a trained creative (and self-proclaimed event planner) to host fundraising

events for those in need would be a very rewarding career.

What is the most important lesson you have learned in business?

Get feedback early and often, listen, consider, and iterate.

Are there any other community activities that you or your company are involved in?

Community service is an integral part of 20/10’s culture. We are committed to make a positive

impact in our community through leadership roles in various organizations and devoting time to

strengthen ties with the community.

Member Spotlight

Seth Birch

20/10 Solutions

Business After Hours

Join the Chester County Chamber and Raymour & Flanigan - Exton as we kick off the new year with

January’s Business After Hours, the Chamber’s most visible and highly-attended networking event.

Connect with the region’s leading professionals while enjoying drinks and hors

d’oeuvres in Raymour & Flanigan’s massive state of the art showroom.

Wednesday, January 8

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Raymour & Flanigan

201 South Pottstown Pike

Exton, PA 19341

Space may be limited—register today. Free for Chamber

members with advance registration, $10 day-of. $30 for future Chamber members.

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Verification Form Update For Chester County Magazine

Over the past few weeks we have mailed out verification forms to our membership. We ask that you

please take a few moments to review the information to ensure that we are accurately presenting your

business through our directory. If we do not hear from you, your listing will appear as shown on the

verification form. Even if you have no changes, we appreciate you returning the verification form with your

signature.

Please pay special attention to the list of employees at the bottom of the form. We rely heavily on email

as our means of communication; please include email addresses if applicable. Thank you for your help in

keeping our records current.

Please make special note of the Business Classification section. Additional category listings are available

for purchase. Certified veteran-owned businesses will receive a complimentary VOB listing. Please be

sure to include ―VOB‖ in the verification form.

Questions regarding your listing can be directed to Matt Johnson at 610-725-9100

If you have not received a verification form please contact us at your earliest convenience.

Updated verification forms can be faxed to the Chester County Chamber at 610-725-8479.

Please return no later than Friday, December 13

Emerging Leaders Business After Hours

Join the Emerging Leaders Group as we get in the holiday spirit with

Emerging Leaders Business After Hours at CCCBI. The event will feature

great food, drink, and networking, while continuing our Emerging Leaders

Speakers Series. Hear Emerging Leaders member KC Trost of Farmers

Insurance discuss what he learned as a U.S. Marine and how his

experiences have prepared him for business success. Don’t worry,

there will be plenty of time for networking.

Keeping with the holiday spirit, this event will also feature a canned food drive and special prizes to

benefit Fiorenza’s Food for Friends! Bring non-perishable food items for a chance to win!

Wednesday, December 11

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

CCCBI Headquarters

This event is free for Emerging Leaders members!

Space is limited so register today!

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To stay competitive in today’s market, using video is no longer an option…it’s a necessity. With over 201

million users of digital video forecast by 2016, video is exploding.

If you are new to video, the thought of how and where to get started can be overwhelming. Not to

mention the costs associated with it. Believe it or not, thanks to developments in technology, creating

videos can be fast, fun, and affordable.

Step one. As you begin planning your video marketing strategy you must first decide how much time and

money you can devote. When you get right down to it, there are many ways to create a video. From the

camera on your phone and various software programs to video production studios of all sizes.

To get started we recommend you get some help.

Shop around; get referrals from friends and contacts that may have developed an online video strategy.

Ask for samples and see if production studios offer a consultation. Consultations are a great way to sit

down and discuss your needs and ideas, and how you can get started. It is also a great way to meet the

team that will be helping you create your videos.

Now that you have devised a plan, you are ready to get started. Like most things in life, if you want to be

successful you simply need to remember the ABC’s. That’s a positive Attitude, a steadfast Belief, and

total Commitment.

Keep a positive attitude. There is probably not a business person on the planet who doesn’t know they

need to create videos. Most are fearful of stepping in front of a camera. Your positive attitude just put

you one step ahead of your competition. Believe in yourself and what the power of video can do for you

and your business. Commit to changing the way you think about marketing. Video is the future, both feet

in!

There will be plenty of frustration but in the end it’s your Attitude, Belief, and Commitment that will lead

to your success.

Next month I will cover one of the most important steps of creating your video: developing your script. By

the time you’re finished going through the steps you’ll be a pro!

Michelle Wartluft is VP of Business Development for PiXcara Studios. PiXcara Studios is a marketing

solutions company that uses video to help you build your brand, gain exposure and differentiate you from

your competition. Using our proprietary video processing technology, we deliver professional, high-quality

videos faster and at a fraction of the cost of traditional video production.

Michelle Wartluft-VP Business Development- mwartluft@pixcarastudios.com

255 Great Valley Parkway-Suite 140 Malvern, PA

Video is the Future!

By: Michelle Wartluft

The importance of marketing your business using video. Part 1

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Youth Leadership Off and Running

Our Youth Leadership Program is off to a fabulous start. Over 60 students are participating in this year’s

program. The students and staff meet once a month. The day is planned around a specific theme.

In October the students met with James Logan, 360 Feedback and Tom Monastra, FranshiseOpt for a

day of team building and discovering their individual personality profiles. In addition to getting to know

themselves better, the students enjoyed meeting and interacting with students from other schools.

In November, we met at Drexel University in Malvern, the theme of the day was Entrepreneurs Day. Kim

Brumbaugh, Brumbaugh Wealth Management, Blake Krapf, Krapf Bus Companies, Mike Schnitzius,

Mikel Mailings, and Tom Monastra, FranshiseOpt were our guest presenters for the day. Each shared

their professional story. It was both enlightening and entertaining. The students asked lots of questions

and were interested in all the presenters had to share.

James Logan and Marianne Martelli finished up the day with a job readiness exercise. After a

presentation on interview techniques, James and Marianne conducted mock interviews for the students.

The key message was that we all have transferable skills and we need to determine what those skills are

for a particular job. Another key to success is ensuring that the position is a proper fit for the employee

and employer. Great knowledge for future success.

The Chamber Foundation is the charitable arm of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry. Its

mission is to enhance the quality of life throughout Chester County by focusing on education, workforce

development, youth development and leadership. The cornerstone of the Foundation’s efforts is the

Youth Leadership Program (YLP). By collaborating with area high schools and business leaders, the YLP

series provides further skills, enrichment, mentoring and connections to our students, and encourages

their pursuit of higher education. Over 600 students have successfully graduated from our program. The

ultimate goal of the program is to retain young, highly skilled talent in our community.

For more information about the program or becoming involved please contact Marianne at 610-725-

9100 or mmartelli@cccbi.org.

Survey Time

The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry needs your input.

Click here to take a three minute survey on your training program

needs and for a chance to win a gift card to Iron Hill Brewery.

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MARIANNE MARTELLI IOM

Vice President

mmartelli@cccbi.org

LAUREN MAGEE

Director of

Membership

lmagee@cccbi.org

DANIELLE VETTER

Director of

Event Planning

dvetter@cccbi.org

Meet Your Board

Officers Chairperson of the Board, Joel Frank, Esq.

Lamb McErlane, PC

Chairperson Elect, Kim Brumbaugh,

Brumbaugh Wealth Management

Treasurer, Ken Goddu, Fulton Bank

Immediate Past Chairperson, Michael DeHaven, CPA

Rainer & Company, Certified Public Accountants

Vice Chairpersons Business Development Division

Kristen LaDow, M&T Bank

Membership Development Division

Stacy Martin, Hankin Group

Public Policy Division

Thomas Chiomento, Exelon Generation, LLC

Strategic Planning Division

James Lee, WaWa, Inc.

Foundation Chairperson

Joe Viscuso*, PE, LS, Pennoni Associates, Inc.

Bill Belknap, aEONRG, LLC

Carlo Borgia, Wells Fargo Bank

Susan Brandt, Bentley Systems

Michael Bray, The Vanguard Group

Kevin Broadhurst, Comcast

Michael Brown, KMRD Partners, Inc.

Bryan Burklow, Brandywine Hospital

Chad Byers, Brandywine Mergers & Acquisitions

Elizabeth Bush, Endo Health Solutions

Michael Chain, Desmond Hotel & Conference Center

Brian DiSabatino*, EDiS Construction

Michael Fili, Aqua

Thomas Fillippo*, Devault Foods

Dennis Fisher, Longwood Gardens

Chris Franklin,*Aqua

Stacey Fuller, Gawthrop Greenwood, PC

Sassan Hejazi, Kreischer Miller

Buzz Hannum Jr., Lyons Companies

Dr. Robert Jennings, Lincoln University

Scott Kerr, Kerr Law, LLC

Blake Krapf, Krapf Bus Companies

Dale Krapf*, Krapf Bus Companies

Louis Kupperman, Esq., Obermayer, Rebmann,

Maxwel, & Hippel, LLP

Albert Melfi Jr.*, DNB First

Kevin Morgan, Blue Moon Florist

Anthony Morris, Esq., Buckley, Brion,

McGuire, Morris & Sommer, LLP

David Moser*, DFT, Inc.

Mark Pavlovich, West Chester University

Tom Petro, Fox Chase Bank

Frances Sheehan, Brandywine Health Foundation

William Simkiss, The Simkiss Companies

Gary Smith, Chester County Economic

Development Council

Linda Taylor, Independence Blue Cross

Directors

Chamber Staff Your Business is Our Business

*Director Emeritus/Past Chairman of the Board

The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry • 1600 Paoli Pike, Malvern, PA 19355 • (p) 610-725-9100 •info@cccbi.org •www.cccbi.org

JOAN CROUSE

Executive Assistant,

Office Manager

jcrouse@cccbi.org

MARY ENGLAND

Director of Finance

mengland@cccbi.org

MATT JOHNSON

Marketing & Membership

Manager

mgjohnson@cccbi.org

PAT HAYAKAWA

Small Business Program

Manager

phayakawa@cccbi.org