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Sherry Cockerham serves as Project Coordinator for the Hire One Initiative, the Manufacturing Alliance of Chester & Delaware Counties, and the Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern PA.

Previously, Sherry worked for the Phoenixville Area School District as an elementary aide as well as administrative positions at Siemens Medical Solutions, USA and CSG Health Services Organization.

Sherry served two years as the secretary then president on the Home and School Association board at Barkley Elementary in the Phoenixville Area School District. She also enjoyed years of active volunteerism in her children’s schools.

Sherry earned a degree in Office Administration from Delaware County Community College.  She also has attended Immaculata University, taking coursework in Organizational Dynamics within the College of Lifelong Learning.  A Phoenixville resident and mother, Sherry continues to volunteer her time along with her sons who are active members of the Boy Scouts of America.

Tracey Oberholtzer is the Industry Partnership Events and STEM Programs Manager. In her role as IP Events Manager, Tracey is responsible for the successful planning and execution of signature events for the IP’s and Youth Programs. As STEM Programs Manager, Tracey works closely with the Industry Partnerships to maintain and grow STEM and youth programming that enhances the career readiness of our community’s youth.

Tracey earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University. Prior to joining the CCEDC, she worked as a Program Director and Volunteer Director in the non-profit sector.

Leslie joined the Chester County Economic Development Council in August 2013 and brought a variety of skills to the organization. She oversees the marketing and communications efforts for CCEDC as well as its numerous initiatvies. Her responsibilities include crafting the organization’s annual report and quarterly briefingings and she also handles graphic design, website content, and social media for the organization.

Her previous work experience includes the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the United States Holocaust Memorial Musuem, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, and the Lionville Community YMCA. Leslie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the Pennsylvania State University. She has completed additional studies in graphic design and desktop publishing and earned recently earned a Digital Marketing Certificate from Penn State Greaty Valley.

A former small business owner, Marcia became a commercial lender for a traditional bank 25 years ago.   She spent the 22 years as a dedicated SBA 7(a) professional with the last 13 years as an SBA 7(a) program manager for a large regional bank. She joined Seedcopa two years ago to manage the credit and operations functions at the CDC.  In addition to her degree in Finance, English and Spanish from Albright College, Marcia has gained considerable credit training and commercial lending training through numerous courses and training offered by a previous employer. Marcia continues her professional SBA training through industry seminars, SBA conferences, and SBA District Office training events.  In her current role at Seedcopa as credit and operations manager, she is responsible for oversight of all credit and operations functions for the CDC.  Much of her initial time at the CDC was spent enhancing the processes and procedures for the organization.

Melissa Kellog works with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and various financial institutions, borrowers, and attorneys to prepare and submit accurate loan packages.  Her primary responsibilities include loan underwriting and credit analysis, application processing, and closing procedures.

She has been with CCEDC/Seedcopa for 2 years bringing her skills in organization, process improvement, and customer service.  Melissa has a Bachelor of Science degree from Albright College in Accounting, Economics, and Finance.  She worked with the school’s finance committee, created and managed annual budgets and accounting systems.  On the judicial committee, she enforced rules and regulations, and participated in internal disciplinary proceedings when necessary.  Some of the organizations where she has volunteered her time are:  Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society fundraising event; Women Against Abuse, fundraising for speaking out against domestic violence; Habitat for Humanity, bringing people together to build homes; Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure against breast cancer; and the Special Olympics, sports for children and adults with disabilities.  Current fundraisers are: S. June Smith Center, helping children (birth to five) with developmental needs; Graduate School Scholarship Funds, helping graduate students finish their education; Girls on the Run, positive youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grades; SPCA, the care and rescue of animals; and she continues with the Special Olympics.

Nancy Jones’ duties involve overseeing, managing, coordinating tasks, and maintaining records for Seedcopa’s business loans and insurance & settlement issues.  Nancy is the go-to person for loan questions and information requests from clients.

Nancy has been with CCEDC/Seedcopa since June 2012 and brings over 30 years of banking experience with retail, mortgages, and commercial businesses for two financial institutions.  She worked specifically for commercial lenders and then with the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Kathy McAfee is the Loan Servicing and Documentation Specialist for South Eastern Economic Development Company of PA, the lending division of Chester County Economic Development Council.

Kathy began working for CCEDC in June 2006 as Loan Closing and Servicing Specialist.  She is now responsible for preparing the loan documentation for loan closings, as well as routine servicing of the loan portfolio.

Prior to joining the staff at CCEDC, Kathy was employed in the banking industry, first in the operations division, and then the loan originations focusing on loan documentation.

As Grants Consultant, Kate manages environmental grants and construction grants for CCEDC, CCIDA, and their clients. Most specifically, she brings to the table her knowledge and experience of navigating the intricacies of various economic development state grants including the Commonwealth’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants, Industrial Site Reuse (ISR) grants, Business in our Sites (BOS) grants, as well as a few federal grants.

She assists CCEDC and CCIDA’s clients by helping them understand the different types of environmental, construction, and economic development grants and how the grant programs are applicable to their projects, by fulfilling the grant’s individual paperwork requirements or by instructing clients how to complete the paperwork requirements themselves and by providing liaison support linking clients with State or Federal employees.

Kate has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of Scranton and a Masters Degree in Environmental Science from Rutgers University.  Prior to CCEDC, she worked for 9 years at an environmental consulting firm performing the QA/QC data validations and laboratory auditing.  Outside of work, Kate currently spends her time volunteering for the Phoenixville YMCA swim team and spending time with her family.