The celebration had to include a bovine element: In addition to 40 years of service to the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC), Gary W. Smith runs a cow farm.
On Wednesday, June 15, 150 public officials, business leaders and supporters gathered to recognize Smith’s four decades of economic advocacy at Milky Way Farm in Yellow Springs. Smith’s career began in 1976, when he answered a newspaper ad for assistant director at the organization. He went on to become CCEDC president and CEO.
Chester County Commissioners Terence Farrell, Kathi Cozzone and Michelle Kichline issued a citation in Smith’s honor. It stated: “The Board of Commissioners, County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, recognizes Gary Smith for four decades of passion and commitment to economic development, helping to shape Chester County into a thriving community that is recognized regionally and nationally as one of the best places live and work.”
As CCEDC president and CEO, Smith has pioneered many award-winning programs, secured more than $275 million in external funding for more than 420 projects, helped to create more than 175,000 new jobs and retained more than 190,000 existing jobs. During Smith’s 40-year tenure, the council has brokered more than $13.5 billion in commercial financing loans, and 8,000-plus new businesses have been established, said a CCEDC press release.
In addition to his leadership of the Economic Development Council, Smith has served as an ambassador for Chester County on many national economic development boards and agricultural agencies, and his efforts have been recognized by organizations including the Chester County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Council of Development Finance Agencies, and regional chambers of commerce.
“Gary is as passionate about his job and about Chester County today as he was the first day I met him in 1998,” Mike Grigalonis, CCEDC’s chief operating officer, said in the release. “There is an endless list of things that I’ve learned from Gary over the years but what stands out most is the satisfaction you can gain from helping companies grow and helping people succeed.”
Farrell said he remembered meeting Smith about 20 years ago, when he was a realtor in Oxford and called Smith for advice on assisting in the sale of a mushroom plant.
“This was before I was recorder of deeds, before I was commissioner, before I was anybody,” Farrell said in the release. “But it didn’t matter to Gary. He took an interest in me and wanted me to succeed, and I think that’s indicative of his behavior with everybody. He just wants to help.”
CCEDC Board Chair Bill Bogle, president and CEO of Genesis Packaging Technologies, added: “We all know and marvel at the impact Gary has had on how this county has developed over the past 40 years. Seven of my eight predecessors are still actively involved in CCEDC, which is a testimony to Gary and what his has done. I am very thankful that this special anniversary fell on my watch.”
The Chester County Economic Development Council is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that has been promoting smart growth in Chester County and the surrounding region for more than 50 years. With the support of the private and public sectors, CCEDC initiates, implements and innovates programs that improve the business community and enhance the quality of life in Chester County. For more information, visit www.cceconomicdevelopment.com.
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