Chamber recognizes Hines, Hamilton and DiMatteo Insurance

Downingtown Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce holds annual awards dinner

The Downingtown Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards dinner Thursday evening at Downingtown Country Club. Each year, the event recognizes notable members of the community along with businesses for their service in the greater Downingtown area.

“We love honoring the Business of the Year and the Citizen of the Year because of their dedication to the community,” said Michael Glover, president of the chamber. “It’s a good way to bring the community together. We’re not just a chamber of commerce, we’re also a community. A lot of people who are here have been involved, especially on a board level, for decades. That’s really the goal, to find people who dedicated to the community.”

Citizen of the Year was Jack Hines, who was honored for his decades long work within the community. Hines served as township manager for West Bradford Township for 34 years. Extremely active in many organizations, Hines serves as chairman of the Conservancy Committee of the Brandywine Conservancy. He also is a Trustee and is on the Executive Committee of the Brandywine Conservancy and the Brandywine Museum of Art. Hines served as an instructor for both the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and the Governors Center for Local Government Services. Additionally, Hines served as Legislative Committee Chairman for the Chester County Association of Township Officials, Fire Chief of the West Bradford Fire Company, and much more.

“I’ve always been a part of

the community. When you look around the room, these are all the folks who make things happen in the community, and when all these folks say you are special, that’s a big wow,” Hines said.

The Business of the Year award was handed out to The DiMatteo Insurance Agency Inc. owned by Albert DiMatteo and his wife, Rochelle. After working successfully for insurance businesses for several years, DiMatteo opened up his own business in Thorndale in 1986.

“It really is an honor because there are so many people that are deserving of this,” he said. “It’s a fantastic feeling. I’ve been a member of the chamber for 33 years or so, and I’ve been in business for 40 years. It’s a great feeling. We did not expect this at all, I’m really happy we’re here.”

The Chamber Service Award went to James “Hank” Hamilton, who has served as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors as Treasurer. Hamilton is involved with several committees within the chamber, a well as many civic organizations including Board of Directors of Downingtown Main Street Association, Downingtown Community Education Foundation and Downingtown Municipal Water Authority. Hamilton is a previous Citizen of the Year winner.

As a special surprise, the Chamber of Service Award was renamed in his honor for his many years of dedication to the chamber and the Downingtown Community.

VIRGINIA LINDAK – FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Jack Hines, center, was named Citizen of the Year Thursday by the Downingtown Thorndale Chamber of Commerce.

VIRGINIA LINDAK – FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Chamber Service Award recipient James “Hank” Hamilton, center, receives his Chamber Service award, an award that was renamed in his honor.