Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
McLeod named Outstanding Citizen of Year
WEST GROVE » The Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce has named Jim McLeod its 2017 Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
A highlight of the annual dinner is the presentation of the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award. The Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award recognizes individuals who unselfishly contribute to the community’s quality of life and display exemplary
volunteer efforts demonstrating vision, leadership, and citizenship that positively impact the Southern Chester County community. This year, the chamber will honor Jim McLeod as its 2017 Citizen of the Year for his decades of service to the community.
“I am honored and humbled. The announcement took me completely by surprise. My thanks to everyone involved for this honor, it is truly appreciated,” McLeod shared on the day he was told of his selection for the prestigious award.
“Jim McLeod is an exemplary example of community service,” said Cheryl Kuhn, President of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. “His tireless work in our community and his ability and desire to bring people together to work toward a common goal is truly outstanding. We are proud to select him as this year’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year award recipient and look forward to honoring him at our 51st Annual Dinner.”
James D. McLeod, Jr., has a long record of service at the local, county and state levels. He served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Automotive Association, was appointed to the association’s Legislative Committee and served on Ford Motor Company’s Zone Dealer Council representing Ford dealers in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Jim is a member of the Fulton Bank Brandywine Division Advisory Board and with Oxford Rotary for 28 years. He was a founding board member of the Jennersville YMCA of Greater Brandywine, serving for 30 years, two terms as chairman and oversaw fundraising and building.
Jim served nine years as chairman of American Red Cross Chester County Brandywine Division’s Disaster Action Team, assisting displaced fire victims. He sits on the Board and is Development Chairman of the Southern Chester County Emergency Medical Services and eight years on the SCCOOT Board. Jim served on various Oxford Borough Task Forces, Police Chief Search Committees, chaired the Borough’s Vacancy Committee and is Chairman of the Civil Service Commission. He served on the Pennsylvania Legislative District 13 Advisory Board, Chester County Department of Aging’s Paratransit Advisory Council, and chairman of Oxford Area Regional Sewer Authority.
In 2014 Jim was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Oxford Area School District for longstanding service including a memorial scholarship in memory of his wife, presented each year to a graduating Oxford Area High School senior. He served on District committees studying truancy and drop-out rates, served on the first Board of Directors of Oxford Educational Foundation in 1994 for mentors and tutors, and grants to bring innovative programs not funded through the budget. Jim also served as president for seven years.
Jim served two terms on the Board of Directors of Oxford Neighborhood Services Center. He and his wife, Mary, started the “Spirit of Christmas Luncheon” 27 years ago, raising funds for the Center. The event turned into what is known today as the “Spirit of Giving Luncheon”.
He served on the Board of Directors of Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, two terms as president, and in 1986 was recipient of the Oxford Area Community Service Award. For the past 34 years he organized the Chamber’s annual Halloween Parade.
As a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church Jim served as an Elder and Deacon, is a member of the Oxford Athletic Association and served two terms as president.
Jim has two grown children, Chris and Shelley, and four grandchildren: Paige, Finn, Zoey, and Lucy.
The Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award has been presented annually since 1968. Past recipients of this prestigious award include: 2005 Kathleen Lafferty, 2006 Doris Haley, 2007 Eva Verplanck, 2008 James T. Horn, 2009 Michael R. Walker, 2010 Janice Taylor, 2011 Terence Farrell, 2012 Stacie A. Kucera, 2013 Ken Goddu; 2014 Joan Holliday; 2015 David Haradon and 2016 Leon Spencer Jr.
The chamber will honor McLeod at its 51st Annual Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 16, at Longwood Gardens at 6:30 p.m. In the picturesque setting of Longwood’s Conservatory, the annual dinner attracts business and community leaders for an evening of live entertainment, dinner, dancing and silent auction. Tickets are $175, with sponsorship opportunities available. To purchase tickets and to learn more, visit www. scccc.com.
The Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, the region’s leading business member organization, is dedicated to the growth and development of its members by providing opportunities to connect businesses and support sustainable economic development. Founded in 1929 in Kennett Square, the Chamber’s nearly 500-member businesses consist of influential business leaders and professionals, nonprofits, institutions, legislative leaders, and more. The chamber hosts more than 70 events and programs each year in the Southern Chester County region.
“I am honored and humbled. The announcement took me completely by surprise. My thanks to everyone involved for this honor, it is truly appreciated.” — Jim McLeod