Youth Leadership Program Visits DFT Inc.
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On Tuesday, CCCBI's Youth Leadership Program had a full day with DFT Inc. - Check & Control Valve Manufacturer!
Over 30 students had the chance to hear from leadership at this local company who has been in business for over 100 years. From engineering to accounting and even marketing...our students were able to ask questions, experience facility tours and connect directly with our speakers, including DFT CEO and CCCBI Board Member, David Moser.
At the end of the day, our very own Nicole Stephenson offered a presentation on utilizing LinkedIn and other social media platforms to optimize their career journeys.
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"I stressed the importance of becoming a trusted source, being consistent, engaging, intentional, and following up," said Nicole. "We had a lot of fun and they asked a lot of great questions. The future is bright with these students!"
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Thank you to DFT for hosting this class of YLP students and for providing such a wonderful program day.
We're looking forward to their last day of the 2024-2025 program year next month!
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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Bin There Dump That
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Yesterday, Bin There Dump That, North America's leading residential-friendly dumpster rental franchise, hosted the grand opening of its newest location in the Delaware Valley. To mark this milestone, they held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with CCCBI.
The event featured a formal ribbon cutting, networking opportunities, and a firsthand look at Bin There Dump That’s signature bright green dumpsters designed for convenient and residential-friendly waste disposal.
“We are thrilled to bring Bin There Dump That’s exceptional dumpster rental services to homeowners and businesses in the Delaware Valley,” said Steve Eill, franchise owner of Bin There Dump That Delaware Valley. “Our mission is to provide a seamless and customer-friendly waste disposal solution that prioritizes efficiency, cleanliness, and community support.”
Thank you to our Ambassadors and Members who came out to support Bin There Dump That!
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Celebrating Women's History Month
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March is National Women's History Month and CCCBI is celebrating by spotlighting some of the women leading and supporting our Chamber and business community!
Meet Alaina Kearney, Director of Marketing at Barsz Gowie Amon & Fultz and Marianne Martelli, CCCBI's Director of Community Partnerships.
Alaina Kearney is a strategic marketing leader, brand architect, and corporate affairs expert with a proven track record of driving business growth, strengthening corporate communications, and building high-impact relationships. With a background in government, marketing, and business development, she brings a unique ability to bridge strategy, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement to elevate brands and expand market influence.
Currently, Alaina serves as the Director of Marketing at Barsz Gowie Amon & Fultz (BGA&F), where she has transformed the firm’s brand presence, leading a 2,000% growth in digital engagement and securing numerous awards, including Philadelphia Inquirer Top Workplaces.
Previously, Alaina worked for the U.S. House of Representatives, managing tax and immigration constituent services for over 80,000 residents. She holds a Master of Public Administration from West Chester University (summa cum laude) and was awarded the Outstanding Student Award and the Graduate Student Association Award for Excellence in Leadership. She has also been recognized as a 2023 Rising Star by CCCBI.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Alaina is deeply engaged in her community. She serves on the Foundation boards of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and CCCBI, supporting young professionals and local businesses. She also hosts “Follow Our Lead,” a leadership podcast where she interviews trailblazers across industries, from Olympians to CEOs.
A connector, strategist, and storyteller, Alaina is passionate about building strong brands, vibrant company cultures, and impactful community partnerships.
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Marianne Martelli currently serves as CCCBI's Director of Community Partnerships, but she has been a pillar of leadership in her various roles over the last 16+ years.
Her commitment to the Chester County Chamber Foundation's Youth Leadership Program has made it one of the most esteemed professional development groups for high school students in Chester County. Hundreds of students have benefitted and excelled from Marianne's careful instruction and her relationships with local business leaders. She has single handedly shaped our next generation of workers, scholars and executives.
While Marianne herself would probably provide just a glimpse into her lifetime of accomplishments, the CCCBI team decided that our words would better encompass her dedication to leadership and the success of our Chamber.
"Marianne is an invaluable team member at the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry. With over a decade of dedicated service, her experience, leadership, and commitment are critical to the Chamber’s success. Her contributions strengthen our organization, and her role is essential to advancing our mission and supporting the business community." -Laura Manion, President & CEO
"Marianne is a clearly respected and highly valuable member of the CCCBI team. I knew it right away, since the moment we met. She was one of the first welcoming faces when I joined the team, and I look to her often to provide insights and information because she knows the ins and outs of everything and everyone here. I recently had the pleasure of witnessing her work with our Youth Leadership Program, and you can clearly see how much the kids adore her. Her passion is unmatched. It feels good to see our members smiling and engaging with her at all of our events. I am so glad to have someone so knowledgeable and loved guiding me in my new role with CCCBI." -Nicole Stephenson, Vice President of Operations & Events
"If you know Marianne, you know she's a genuine person with a heart of gold. If you don't know Marianne, you must live under a rock! I always say she knows everyone - and their parents, grandparents and grandkids. She's an amazing wealth of knowledge and connections. Marianne's creation and dedication to CCCBI's Youth Leadership Program is an instrumental relationship between the schools, businesses and future leaders of Chester County. I'm lucky to have her as a mentor and more importantly as a friend." - Laura Ellis, Director of Member Engagement
"For the past two years, Marianne has been a true mentor to me in every meaning of the word. I've seen her shine with CCCBI, our membership, our Foundation and with every single person she meets. Her tenure at the Chamber has given her so much personal and professional experience, and she shares it freely with anyone who wants to learn. Marianne's value as a colleague is immeasurable and I will be forever grateful to know her. I'm so glad she is receiving the recognition she rightfully deserves during Women's History Month." - Abby Wolfe, Director of Marketing & Communications
Marianne is a devoted mother and grandmother to her two children and five grandchildren. Her time away from the Chamber is spent surrounded by family, friends, and the community that she has fostered throughout her time in Delaware and Chester Counties.
Stay tuned this month as we continue to highlight women influencing business at CCCBI!
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CCCBI has three active Member Discounts this month!
Our discount program is offered by Members, for Members. Build your network and support local businesses by offering or utilizing a Member Discount!
Right now you can take advantage of:
- FREE 30-Minute Strategy Session with Ana Welsh Leadership
- 10% Discount On Any Service with Nexus Diaries
- 20% Off Lighting Showroom Sale from Denney Electric Supply
Visit the button below to learn more about these fantastic opportunities and check out all of our active discounts!
If you are interested in offering a discount for your fellow members, talk to our Director of Membership, Laura Ellis, to learn more and get started!
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President Trump Addresses Joint Congress
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On March 4th, 2025, President Donald Trump addressed a Joint Session of the US Congress. During the speech, President Trump introduced the economic impact of new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, asserting that these measures would ultimately strengthen the U.S. economy despite concerns on both sides of the aisle. He announced plans for reciprocal tariffs tailored to trading partners, set to begin on April 2. Regarding U.S.-Ukraine relations, Trump said he had received an “important letter” from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which he suggested indicated Ukraine's willingness to negotiate peace. This statement followed Trump's decision to pause military aid to Ukraine and terminate a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal.
On foreign policy, Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland and reclaiming the Panama Canal while also criticizing U.S. foreign aid to African nations. Domestically, he praised Elon Musk, for leading efforts to reduce the federal workforce, cut foreign aid, and implement cost-saving measures. These policies faced significant backlash from Democrats, who argued that they lacked transparency and threatened job security.
Indeed, the address highlighted the stark partisan divide, with many Democrats heckling Trump and walking out in protest as a symbol of defiance. They condemned his policies, accusing him of favoring billionaires and jeopardizing economic stability. On energy and inflation, Trump emphasized the expansion of domestic oil and gas drilling, “drill baby drill,” claiming it would reduce energy costs and curb inflation.
Trump's speech reinforced his economic policies, aggressive energy strategy, and cutting government spending while signaling potential diplomatic shifts with Ukraine. However, it also heightened partisan tensions, with Democrats strongly opposing his trade policies, government reductions, and foreign aid cuts.
The Chamber stands as a resource during this highly partisan period and rapidly shifting policies.
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The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry (CCCBI) is proud to have Kennett Library members. This summer, Kennett Library is looking forward to hosting a networking event for CCCBI, providing an exciting opportunity for our business community to connect in a vibrant and dynamic setting.
The new Kennett Library is a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve the community in innovative and meaningful ways. With triple the space of its predecessor, the library now features a 110-seat auditorium, two maker spaces, an audio-visual room, classrooms, tutor rooms, quiet reading areas, a terrace overlooking State Street, ADA-accessible spaces, free parking, and much more. This expansion enables Kennett Library to offer an even broader range of programs and services for children, teens, and adults.
Committed to lifelong learning and community enrichment, Kennett Library provides a variety of programs, including ESL classes, art workshops, family story times, nature camps, book groups, webinars, and author talks. As a regional public library, it serves the Townships of Kennett, East Marlborough, Pennsbury, Pocopson, Newlin, New Garden, West Marlborough, and the Borough of Kennett Square. Open to all, the library is a welcoming space for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and needs—completely free of charge.
At its core, Kennett Library’s mission is to ignite imagination, enrich lives, and create a strong sense of community. With a vision to be the catalyst for lifelong learning and discovery, the library connects people with reading, information, and technology to fuel curiosity and passion. It is a place to meet, learn, teach, share, and grow—both individually and collectively.
Chris Manna, Executive Director of Kennett Library, shares the inspiring journey behind the library’s transformation:
“This building was built through many stones and layers of construction. Likewise, this library has been built off the backs of many different kinds of supporters—both patrons and partners—to provide this glorious new structure. Our grand opening celebration is our way of saying thank you for the past, please come and use all the resources available in the present, and to understand how this library stands to impact generations to come many years into the future.”
We encourage all CCCBI members to visit Kennett Library and experience firsthand the incredible resources and opportunities it offers. Stay tuned for details about the upcoming networking event and join us in celebrating this remarkable addition to our community!
For more information about Kennett Library, https://kennettlibrary.org/ or stop by their new location in the heart of Kennett Square
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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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