2009 Outstanding Citizen - Fred Gusz

Outstanding Citizen Takes Pride in His Adopted Hometown

     Fred Gusz has done a lot for West Chester since making it his home some 40 years ago. In addition to serving on the Boards of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the West Chester Business Improvement District and the West Chester Cycling Classic, his volunteer activities run the gamut from chairing the Borough’s Zoning Board to helping the Chamber decorate the downtown for the holidays. 
     When you factor in the number of basketball games he’s played at Everhart Park and miles he’s ridden as a member of the West Chester Cycling Club, Fred, an associate broker with Cobblestone Realty, has covered more local ground than many natives do in a lifetime.
     For his ongoing commitment to the Chamber and the community, the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor Fred Gusz as its 2009 Outstanding Citizen of the Year. The award, given annually since 1948, will be presented during the Chamber’s Annual Banquet on February 2, 2010 at the Mendenhall Inn. 
     “Fred will tell you there are other people more deserving of this award than he is,” said Katie Walker, Chamber president. “That gives you a good idea what he’s all about and why he’s our Outstanding Citizen. He’s always there working quietly. He’s the one who made sure we had a recycling bin, the one who notices how the downtown looks and how the flowers look. He’s really passionate about West Chester and its image.”
     A native of Trenton who grew up in Yardley, Bucks County, Fred came to the Borough in the early 1960s to major in physical education at West Chester University (then West Chester State Teacher’s College). By 1966, when Fred realized he didn’t want to teach phys ed, West Chester had already become home.
     A co-worker at his first job after college piqued his interest in real estate, prompting Fred to earn his real estate license. In 1970, he went to work for West Chester realtors, Bob and Harriet Hulnick. The outgoing Fred was soon chairing the Grievance and Professional Standards Committee of the Chester County Board of Realtors, eventually serving as its executive director from 1989 to 1991.
     In addition to his ongoing volunteer commitments that include longtime membership in the West Goshen Lions Club and First West Chester Fire Company, Fred is an avid cyclist and recycler who continues to be proud of his adopted hometown. 
     “I love the way West Chester looks and the fact that we have everything within walking distance,” he said. “And the people are so friendly and committed to the town.  When you’re looking for volunteers, whether it’s to help the Chamber or one of the service clubs or another organization, people step-up.”
     Who would know better about ‘stepping-up’ than our 2009 Outstanding Citizen?