2012 Citizen of the Year

Growing up in the tightly–knit community of Malvern, James E. McErlane learned early that getting involved was a way of life. His parents were active in church and community organizations. His mother, the daughter of Italian immigrants, used her fluency in the language to help Italian newcomers to the area. His father was a member of Malvern Borough Council and served on the local Boy Scout Troop 7 Committee.

No surprise then that Jim has made a habit of service to a multitude of organizations in the Greater West Chester area and beyond. From the small to the sprawling, from the recently-launched to the long-established, he has given his time and

talent to health, education and business organizations including Community Volunteers in Medicine, the West Chester University Foundation, Paoli Hospital, Malvern Preparatory School and, most recently, the Chester County Food Bank.
For his ongoing, exemplary service to the community-at-large, the Greater West Chester Chamber (GWCC) is proud to name Jim McErlane its 2011 Citizen of the Year. The award, given annually since 1948, will be presented on Feb. 7, 2012 at the Mendenhall Inn.
“Jim was our unanimous choice for Citizen of the Year,” said Katie L. Doherty, GWCC president. “It’s amazing when you look at the number of organizations he has supported in Greater West Chester, including this Chamber, as well as in Chester County and the region. Jim’s considerable time, energy and expertise have been well-spent in making our community a better place to live. We are delighted to recognize his efforts with this award.”

A senior partner with the law firm Lamb McErlane, Jim, 69, practices in the areas of banking and finance, real estate, municipal law and governmental regulations. He has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for General Business Law and was appointed to the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

2012 Business of the Year

Given Chester County’s standing as one of the most affluent counties in the state, it’s often hard to believe hunger exists within its boundaries. The reality is, however, that some 70,000 residents struggle daily to have enough food to eat.
The Chester County Food Bank was established in 2009 to help provide food for those in need in Chester County and to focus on hunger’s role in poverty, health and education.
Since its inception, the Food Bank has distributed over 1,200,000 pounds of food each year. The food is donated to over 65 organizations including food cupboards, meal sites and other non-profits that help feed the hungry and/or distribute the food items.