Chester County chamber presents annual awards
Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, co-founders of Victory Brewing Co. were presented with the Executive of the Year award.
DOWNINGTOWN » The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry presented its Executive of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards Thursday during the organization’s annual dinner.
Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, co-founders of Victory Brewing Co. were presented with the Executive of the Year award, while state Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-19th Dist.) received the Citizen of the Year Award.
The event is one of the chamber’s signature events for the year. Usually held at Longwood Gardens, this year’s event was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Because of restrictions on gatherings, the event was held virtually, with a small group of about 40 in-person at Victory Brewing in Downingtown for the awards presentation.
In presenting the Executives of the Year award, Thom Chiomento, vice president business development and government affairs at American Water and chairman of the chamber’s board, said the pair is recognized by their peers both inside and outside the beer industry.
“They have reinvested and grown along with our county. Our chamber knows too, that as they grew they always took extra efforts to recruit, hire and train local residents in each location,” he said.
“When Ron and I were 2-years old, Bob Dylan first sang his line ‘When you’ve got nothing you’ve got nothing to lose.’ That wasn’t a rallying cry for our business plan,” Covaleski said. “We were very well aware the opportunities for entrepreneurs in the U.S., and had become aware of the tremendous opportunities that lie here in Chester County. We are fortunate to have found this as a home.” He added that the pair wasn’t as focused on the communal aspect their business might have and the support from Victory Brewing’s audience.
“That was the part we hadn’t quite defined and it has been a blessing watching it unfold.”
Barchet said he has seen “tremendous and positive” developments since Victory was founded in the county in 1995.
“Without the prosperous business climate, none of this could or would be achieved. Over the last 25 years I have seen so many new businesses begin and flourish, while many established companies also continue successfully with their growth strategy,” he said. “How does that happen? A big part is cooperation and communication with business and elected officials.”
Covaleski and Barchet have been friends since meeting as fifth-graders on the school bus. As adults they participated in friendly home brewing competitions before deciding to leave their corporate careers to study with the best in the brewing industry in the U.S. and Germany. Ultimately, they created Victory Brewing Company, which includes locations in Downingtown, West Sadsbury and Kennett Square.
In June, they were inducted into the Chester County Economic Development Council’s Business Hall of Fame.
Dinniman’s Citizen of the Year award was presented by Joseph (Skip) Brion, partner at Buckley, Brion, McGuire & Morris LLP and former chairman of the Chester County Republican party.
“Our county should be thankful for his service over the years and his help in making the county one of the best in the country,” Brion said.
In accepting his award, Dinniman — who is retiring at the end of his term at the end of the year — said Chester County is moderate in its views and wants to get things done.
“This moderation is what is needed in Harrisburg right now in terms of the COVID pandemic. We have to keep people healthy but at the same time we don’t have to destroy business. There is a happy medium here and we have to work for it,” he said.
Dinniman also reassured attendees he is not “going off to the sunset” when he retires. He will be forming a PAC focused on education issues.
In his remarks, Guy Ciarrocchi, president and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry said at last year’s event, the chamber committed to working to bridge gaps, build coalitions and work together for common goals, economic growth and preserving Chester County’s quality of life.
“In a world of noise, with people talking past each other, yelling at each other or worse, we pledged that our chamber would work to find common ground to find the common good. Tonight we recommit to this cause, to this much needed approach,” he said.
He said the chamber’s mission to bring together diverse opinions to create economic growth and opportunity is more important than ever.
“And our commitment has never been stronger. We will not stop until all businesses are reopen and growing and Chester County takes it rightful place as a strong, vibrant economy in a strong, vibrant state. We will not stop fighting until no one is left behind,” he said.