Chester County council making some changes

The Chester County Economic Development Council responds to changing needs of area businesses as they rebuild from COVID-19

The agency announces positions that include a focus on technology, youth and diversity, equity and inclusion.

UWCHLAN » The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) has announced several organizational changes to respond to what it calls “the transformed needs” of local businesses as they rebuild from COVID-19.

The economic development agency is announcing several new and realigned positions that include a focus on workforce development, technology, youth and diversity, equity and inclusion. The agency has served the business community for more than 60 years.

“After a year of extraordinary job losses across the nation, economists are predicting an ongoing hiring surge for the remainder of 2021, if the economy expands at the 6.5% pace expected by the Fed,” Gary Smith, Chester County Economic Development Council’s president and CEO, said in a press release announcing the changes. “CCEDC has been preparing for this, and will always adapt to support the changing needs of the businesses we serve.”

“One positive outcome of the tragedy of COVID-19 is that businesses and public agencies are realizing they can’t just keep doing business as usual. We have to be adaptive and positioned for change,” Mike Grigalonis, COO of the organization, said in the release. “Our entire team has proved to be adaptable and nimble this past year, and these new positions allow us to be ready for what’s next.”

The agency will now devote a management position solely to workforce development. Patti VanCleave, who has served as project director for the Chester County Economic Development Council’s STEM and youth activities, is now vice president, Workforce Development and STEM, where she will lead the agency’s efforts to help employers source and train the talent they need to rebuild and grow in southeastern Pennsylvania. This includes upskilling workers and matching them to the right employers, as she oversees CCEDC’s energy, manufacturing and health care industry partnerships.

Marianne Stack has been promoted to project director, where she will provide leadership and oversight to CCEDC’s Innovative Technology Action Group (ITAG), which serves more than 160 companies in the region’s technology industry.

Tracey Oberholtzer has been promoted to IP Events and STEM Programs Manager. In addition to managing signature events for the agency’s Industry Partnerships, Oberholtzer will assume increased responsibility for CCEDC’s youth programming, including Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology, STEM Summer Academies and much more. She will continue to work closely with all industry partners and their volunteer leadership.

The Chester County Economic Development Council is also dedicating a position to diversity, equity and inclusion. Marrea Walker-Smith, who has supported the council as a project consultant for STEM youth activities, is now also the organization’s STEM and DE&I Consultant, where she will lead organization-wide efforts to better serve, represent and engage individuals of all backgrounds.

Patrick Hayakawa will now serve as vice president, Innovation and Marketing. He’ll continue to oversee the council’s tech programs, including the Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n) and ITAG, as he takes on management of marketing, communications and media relations strategies to further elevate awareness of CCEDC’s brand.

The Chester County Economic Development Council is a private, non-profit economic development organization promoting smart growth in Chester County and the surrounding region for more than 60 years. For more information, visit www.ccedcpa.com.