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Chamber News |
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Welcome New Members |
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Coffee & Conversation |
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This morning marked our first Coffee & Conversation event!
In an effort to bring our business community together, we designed this new series as a forum to gather, give a real introduction to your business and engage directly with your fellow business owners and industry leaders.
Today's topic centered around Mastering Meaningful Connections. We wanted to do more than just share tips and tricks; we heard about what works for our Members! Over twenty attendees chimed in to share how they manage professional relationships in-person and with follow ups, how they find a way to start the conversation when you walk into a room and don't know anyone, and even some of their success stories.
"I experienced firsthand the collaborative spirit that makes the CCCBI community so special," said our moderator Jenn Christensen, Sales Consultant- Personal Investor Department at Vanguard and CCCBI Ambassador.
"Hearing the diverse experiences and perspectives shared by fellow members reminded me of my own Chamber journey and the many meaningful relationships I've built along the way. My biggest takeaway was the importance of authenticity. It's a value I've embraced since day one, and I look forward to seeing how that mindset continues to strengthen connections, create opportunities, and support the success of both myself and my fellow members.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for an insightful discussion, Jenn, and our sponsor who provided delicious cookies for breakfast - Little Miss Moffitt!
Stay tuned for details on our next session in September. |
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Meet Your Ambassadors |
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Your Chamber Membership comes with a built-in support network, and our Ambassadors are at the heart of it! |
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Meet Justin Gildea Vice President, Relationship Manager in Commercial Banking S&T Bank
Justin is a Vice President, Relationship Manager in Commercial Banking at S&T Bank, where he focuses on commercial and industrial banking for middle-market businesses across the Greater Philadelphia region. With more than 13 years of experience in commercial banking, Justin partners with business owners and management teams to structure financing solutions that support growth, manage interest rate risk, and strengthen long-term financial performance.
What's one business tool you can't live without? At times, being a Relationship Manager can take me all over the Greater Philadelphia area and Microsoft Outlook helps me service clients and manage my time most effectively.
What’s your go-to morning beverage and where is it from? A black coffee from Gryphon Café.
What’s your favorite Chamber Benefit? My favorite chamber benefit would be the Business Before Business events as they give me an opportunity to meet and connect with other chamber members in a fun and collaborative atmosphere. |
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Meet Amy Sanchez Senior Manager, Strategic Relationships Greencastle Consulting
After transitioning from the military, Amy joined the 100% veteran-owned and operated team at Greencastle Consulting, where she now manages the firm's strategic relationships.
What's one business tool you can't live without? My AI tools: ChatGPT, Copilot, and the like. They help me work smarter by speeding up research, organizing my thoughts, and tackling administrative tasks more efficiently. That means I can spend less time on busy work and more time focused on people, strategy, and the work that really moves the needle.
What’s your go-to morning beverage and where is it from? Coffee! On most mornings, it's a simple cup of coffee at home or the office with a splash of Chobani creamer. If I'm feeling a little fancy, you'll find me at Starbucks ordering an Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso.
What’s your favorite Chamber Benefit? Without a doubt, the people. I've met so many incredible individuals through the Chamber. People leading amazing organizations, building successful businesses, and making a real impact in our community. Through those connections, I've found my tax team (hello, Carlo at Kreischer Miller!), some of my favorite restaurants (Sydney at Fearless!), our office's favorite mobile café (Michael and his team at Café Gourmino!), my go-to florist (the wonderful team at Matlack Florist!), and mine and my husband's absolute FAVORITE egg rolls (hey, Madi & Brian!). Whether it's Jyoti and her team at Minuteman Press, Ed at Oola Bowls Malvern, or learning about Eric's entrepreneurial journey at Montee Cycling, I'm constantly inspired by the people I meet through the Chamber (and I know I’m missing a bunch, I could list so many!) There are countless incredible people behind amazing organizations and businesses, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with them. The relationships truly are the best Chamber benefit. |
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Stay tuned to help us recognize all of our amazing Ambassadors this month. We appreciate you Justin & Amy! |
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Legislative Update |
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Budget Update |
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For the fifth consecutive year, Pennsylvania has missed the constitutionally mandated deadline to pass a state budget by June 30.
In April, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a General Fund bill (HB 2400) that is essentially Governor Shapiro’s $53.3 billion proposal released earlier in the year. The plan is a significant increase over last fiscal year and also includes raising the minimum wage, legalizing and taxing adult-use marijuana, and regulating and taxing skill games, all of which would be new revenue generators. Absent these types of new revenue sources, the budget would draw on the state’s $8 billion emergency fund, which Republican legislators have consistently opposed. The House budget also did not account for lost revenue from tax cuts on electricity bills, a measure added to a bill in the Senate last week that could leave a $1.8 billion revenue hole.
Before fully taking up HB2400 or other budget-related bills, the Senate recessed last Tuesday and the House followed a day later. While there is hope that the House and Senate are close to a deal, Democratic leaders took the opportunity to criticize the Senate for leaving Harrisburg on the date the budget is due. Governor Josh Shapiro said "I think it's disrespectful to the people of Pennsylvania. They should be here, and they should be working.” Both bodies are expected to return to Harrisburg as soon as this weekend to finalize a deal. However, it is hard to predict whether each body will be able to produce the necessary votes after a plan is released with full details, which could lead to another prolonged delay. Razor-thin majorities (one seat in the House, three in the Senate) complicate the process as well. For now, negotiators have been tight-lipped, keeping key details from even rank-and-file members.
Until a final budget is enacted, state agencies must operate under limited interim authority, creating uncertainty for programs that rely on state dollars. Last year’s impasse strained public schools, nonprofits, including rape crisis centers and early childhood intervention program, as well as county-administered services such as foster care and homelessness programs. The School District of Philadelphia was forced to borrow $1.5 billion during last year's delay, resulting in $30 million in interest that was not repaid in the final 2025-2026 budget. |
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Member Spotlight |
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Dream Vacations Travel Advisor Jennifer Schwan |
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Some trips can be booked. Others have to be built.
A cruise on the right ship at the right time of year. A safari through South Africa's Sabi Sand Reserve. A private villa in Tuscany with the view that doesn't show up in a search. These come together through relationships, firsthand knowledge, and planning precision that only comes from having done it yourself.
That's the kind of travel I build.
I've spent years chasing that kind of knowledge firsthand, through 38 countries and all seven continents, including an expedition through Antarctica this past January. Switzerland and France were home for a while too. None of it was research. It's just how I've come to know the places I send people to. |
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These days, my work centers on three things.
Cruises and sea voyages, from river journeys with AmaWaterways and Viking to ocean sailings on Oceania, Regent, Celebrity, and Princess, to expedition voyages with HX and Lindblad. The ship matters. The itinerary matters. Knowing the difference is the job.
Custom land journeys across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, built around how you actually want to experience a place, whether that's a villa in Tuscany, a safari camp in the bush, or a ryokan in rural Japan.
Expedition travel to places like Antarctica, Svalbard, and the Galapagos, where the experience itself is the destination.
All of it comes back to the same thing. Real relationships with the right operators, guides, and properties, and a level of access that doesn't show up on the first page of a search.
If you're a fellow business owner thinking about a group trip, a client incentive, or a partnership of any kind, I'd love to talk. website | j.schwan@dreamvacations.com | (484) 301-5646 |
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Upcoming Events |
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Upcoming Events |
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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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