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Marie Shires joined  Seedcopa as Vice President and Relationship Manager in April 2018.  Shires comes to Seedcopa with a decade of SBA 504 experience providing commercial real estate and equipment financing to the region’s small to mid-sized businesses.

A certified Economic Development Financial Professional, Shires has completed rigorous training in business credit, loan packaging procedures, real estate finance analysis and deal structuring. As a long-time program director and Vice President at a not-for-profit certified development company, she has been responsible for all phases of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans, including business development, processing, closing and servicing. She also draws on enduring relationships with local banks, professional partners and community-based organizations to facilitate the loan process for Seedcopa clients.

Shires is a member of Advocates for Small Business, where she holds a seat on the board of directors. Over the course of her career she has taken a participating lead role in a variety of special events and summits for small business owners, including round table discussions and group training sessions. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Widener University.

Lori joined CCEDC in April of 2017. As the Business Outreach Manager she works primarily with the Business Development Services Team providing support and communication to CCEDC Investors. She is also the regional Coordinator for the Pennsylvania State Engage Program, a statewide business retention and expansion (BRE) program facilitated through CCEDC.  In that role, Lori oversees budgets and invoicing for six Pennsylvania county partners who participate in the program.

Lori came to CCEDC while co-owning a manufacturer’s representative company with her husband which works primarily with QVC, Inc. – a televised home shopping channel based in West Chester, PA.   Currently, she guest hosts on-air at QVC, selling personal care products. Lori spent 15 years working in the field of public relations in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia respectively, before she and her family moved to Chester County in 2000.  

Lori is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a B.A. in Business Economics.  She is married and has two children.  Lori also volunteers with the “Adopt A Pig” charity in Glenmore, PA.  The charity was developed to help children and their families cope as they face the challenge of fighting cancer.

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 joined the CCEDC in September of 2016. In her role as Events Director, Tracey is responsible for the development, planning, and execution of CCEDC’s
high-level events and conferences. Tracey manages all aspects of event logistics, sponsor relationships, negotiating contracts and building relationships with external vendors, suppliers, and venues. Tracey’s strong organizational skills and attention to detail ensures that our events run smoothly and all event goals are achieved, with a focus on creating a meaningful, valuable, and special experience for attendees.

Tracey is a proud graduate of St. Joseph’s University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. Prior to joining the CCEDC, she worked as a Program Director and Volunteer Director in the non-profit sector. Outside of work you will find Tracey enjoying time with her 2 kids, friends and family while traveling, going to concerts and cheering on the Phillies!

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.

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.