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Chamber News

 

Welcome New Members

 

Our NextGen Superstar- Abby Wolfe 

 

A special shoutout to our superstar, Abby Wolfe!

Last Thursday, our Director of Marketing & Communications was honored as a 2026 NextGen Superstar by VISTA Today.

In her three years at CCCBI, Abby has grown from a behind the scenes communicator to a confident leader on our team. Whether you read her name on our Weekly Newsletters or see her capturing the magic of our events on camera, chances are you've seen how much Abby loves her work with our chamber community.

We are so proud of Abby and this milestone in her career. Congratulations to her and all of the 2026 award recipients!

 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Maclane's Automotive 

 

Last Friday, CCCBI celebrated a special ribbon cutting with Maclane's Automotive. In honor of their 10th anniversary and grand opening of their 3rd location, Maclane's Automotive hosted a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

CCCBI, our ambassadors and some fellow members came out to tour the brand new location here in Malvern while enjoying pizza, drinks and a great atmosphere. Guests got to learn about their reputable work, positive referrals and reviews, and their success which has allowed them to double the size of the company in just 1 year.


Maclane's offers digital vehicle inspections, free shuttles and loaner cars, and they work on all makes and models. They have master certified technicians and they are enhanced technicians which have worked on 750 cars in a month!

 

Congratulations and good luck to our newest Member, Maclane's Automotive!

 

Youth Leadership Program Graduation Dinner

 

Last night, the Chester County Chamber Foundation's Youth Leadership Program held its graduation ceremony for the 2025-2026 class.

 

This impactful evening celebrates the impact of the eight program days throughout the year and the accomplishments of our students. Two of our graduates shared their experience from this year in front of our 60+ attendees. Keynote speaker, Eric Canfield - President & Co-Founder of nth Solutions, was able to see the students in action at his program day back in December, making his remarks all the more meaningful. 

 

Thank you to our students, their families who came to support them, and many of our business hosts throughout the year who returned to recognize these amazing graduates!

 

Meet our Nonprofit of the Year - Camphill Soltane 

 

Congratulations to Camphill Soltane, CCCBI's Nonprofit of the Year!

 

This award, sponsored by Comcast, was designed to recognize the accomplishments and impact of a nonprofit in our community.

 

We are thrilled to introduce you to this inspiring business who will be honored at our upcoming Business Excellence Awards Luncheon.

Camphill Soltane is a Chester County nonprofit that empowers adults with intellectual differences to create a bright future after high school. Due to the Disability Cliff funding gaps in Pennsylvania, adults with intellectual differences and their families find themselves struggling to navigate an underfunded and confusing pathway to discover what's next when K-12 years end.

Now for almost 40 years, Camphill Soltane has stood in that gap as a vital resource providing job training, meaningful employment, social engagement, and creative courses on our sprawling 50 acre campus in Glenmoore, PA. We do this through Soltane Arts, our vibrant art studio, Soltane Horticulture, our large-scale growing initiative, Soltane Hospitality, our professionally operated rental spaces, and Soltane Cafe in Phoenixville run by adults with intellectual differences. In leading the charge for these gifted, creative, and deserving adults with disabilities, it is our greatest hope that each of our community members may discover a fulfilling lifelong path full of purpose, belonging, & true joy.

“Receiving this amazing recognition of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry Nonprofit of the Year Award is incredibly meaningful to Camphill Soltane." said Krysta Knaster, Executive Director. "In just the last few years as members of CCCBI, we’ve worked to share our mission more boldly with organizations in Chester County and to innovate in the way we serve adults with disabilities through dignity, growth, and belonging."

 

"The Chamber has opened doors for our participants by creating new opportunities for connection, employment pathways, and visibility, while also strengthening our own network within the local business community. This recognition affirms the hard work of our participants, staff, and supporters, and celebrates the power of inclusion in action.” 

 

We invite our Members, friends of the Chamber and our business community to join us as we recognize Camphill Soltane and their eight fellow honorees!

 

Meet our Female Business Leader of the Year - Meghan Popoleo 

 

Congratulations to Meghan Popoleo, CCCBI's Female Business Leader of the Year!

 

This award, sponsored by Stephano Slack, was designed to recognize the accomplishments and impact of a female business leader.

 

We are thrilled to introduce you to this inspiring recipient who will be honored at our upcoming Business Excellence Awards Luncheon. 

Meghan Popoleo is the President of The O'Connor Group. In her role, Meghan leads the company’s strategic growth initiatives and works closely with clients to help them attract, engage, and retain top talent while building scalable people strategies. She is particularly known for her ability to identify, recruit, and develop exceptional talent, helping organizations—and the individuals within them—reach their full potential.

Meghan has been a key driver in the firm’s evolution over the past decade, advancing through multiple leadership roles before being named President. Her experience spans sales, marketing, client engagement, and operational leadership, giving her a holistic perspective on how people, culture, and strategy intersect to fuel business success. Known for her collaborative leadership style and ability to anticipate the changing needs of today’s workforce, Meghan champions innovative solutions that help organizations create environments where both businesses and employees thrive.

When she’s not leading teams or helping organizations grow, Meghan can often be found supporting local coffee shops in West Chester and Sea Isle City—doing her part to keep the caffeine economy strong.

“This award is incredibly meaningful to me. It’s a reflection of the wonderful people I have the privilege to work with—mentors who guide me, teams who challenge me, and colleagues who inspire me every day.

 

I’m especially grateful to be surrounded by strong women and to have the opportunity to show up for and support other women in the workplace.”

 

We invite our Members, friends of the Chamber and our business community to join us as we recognize Meghan and her eight fellow honorees!

 

Legislative Update

 

PJM Interconnection Report

 

PJM Interconnection, the electrical grid operator for Pennsylvania and 13 other states, released a report this week calling for sweeping reforms to its wholesale electricity market. The report warns that our region is facing an unprecedented convergence of surging demand, driven largely by data centers, and tightening supply, as older power plants retire and new ones face permitting and supply chain delays. It described the situation as a shift "from an era of managing surplus to an era of managing scarcity," acknowledging that record-high electricity prices in recent auctions have placed unsustainable stress on consumers and businesses. The report outlined three potential reform pathways: stabilizing the market through longer-term agreements, doing away with shared reliability contracts and beginning to differentiate between customers who can and can’t be shut off, and combining long-term contracts with a shift in how generators recover revenue.  

 

The report also stirred tensions between PJM and the Shapiro administration. Governor Shapiro, who sued PJM in 2024 over record auction prices, pushed back against suggestions in the report that state government intervention has discouraged new energy investment.  The Administration reaffirmed that the State would not allow unjustified rate increases, emphasizing that any market reforms must prioritize reliability, consumer protection, and transparency. PJM has invited stakeholders including utilities, investors, generators, and policymakers to engage in discussions aimed at restoring confidence and credibility in the regional electricity market.

 

Member Spotlight

 

Caramanico & Sons Inc. 

 

Delivering Legendary Commercial Landscape Solutions
Servicing the Greater Philadelphia Area Since 1946

C. Caramanico & Sons, Inc. is a trusted commercial landscaping company proudly serving the Greater Philadelphia area. As a 4th-generation, family-owned business delivering legendary landscaping, we combine decades of experience with a forward-thinking approach to provide reliable, high-quality results for every client we serve.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your commercial property with seasonal color, install trees for shade and privacy, or create a more welcoming and professional outdoor environment, our experienced team is ready to bring your vision to life. We specialize in maintaining and improving all types of commercial properties, including office parks, retail centers, healthcare facilities, schools, and more.

Our landscape professionals are committed to safety, efficiency, and attention to detail on every job. From routine maintenance to full-scale enhancements, we focus on creating clean, attractive, and functional outdoor spaces that leave a lasting impression on tenants, employees, and visitors.

 

Upcoming Events

 

Member Events

 

We’d love to hear from and highlight your business! We are seeking member spotlight stories to include in our weekly newsletter!

Email your news to abby@chescochamber.org

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