CEO of West Pharmaceutical Services Wraps up a Successful Career

Baptized by fire when an explosion ripped through West Pharmaceuticals West’s Kinston, N.C. plant in 2003, just nine months after took over as CEO, Donald E. Morel Jr. managed to handle that crisis admirably. The event gave a preview of his exceptional leadership skills displayed during his 13 year tenure as a CEO of West Pharmaceutical. Under his guidance, the Kinston plant has been rebuilt at a new, larger site and is now one of the company’s top operations. During his tenure, he increased sales from $419.7 million in 2002 to $1.42 billion in 2014 and added almost 3,000 more employees. In retirement, Morel plans to continue with his philanthropic work, including serving on the boards of The Franklin Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Travis Manion Foundation.

Turner Investments Looking to Turnaround

From its heyday of managing $28 billion in 2008, Turner Investments, like many, has been feeling the pinch from the financial markets and now only manages around $600 million today. To combat this Turner Investments LP, based in Berwyn PA, has been looking further afield for new investors and announced yesterday, that it has raised a significant, but undisclosed amount, of new funds from two prominent investors in Dubai and Hong Kong. Turner hopes that with the new cash injection, and by maintaining its formula of hiring seasoned stock-pickers, it will once again increase its funds under management. It is also rolling out new products, such as the highly regarded . However, Turner still has other issues to address to bring the firm back to its former glory, including pending litigation from four of its former star fund managers and their new employers. Even so, the future is looking brighter.

MacElree Harvey Welcomes a Partner to its New Office

MacElree Harvey, Ltd., the West Chester full service law firm, has added a new partner along with a new office to expand its reach. Hillary J. Moonay, one of the top Bucks County family lawyers and a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, with joining the firm. She will be mostly working out of the firm’s new Bucks County Office located at 120 S. Main Street in Doylestown. Included in The Best Lawyers in America 2014 and 2015 editions, Ms. Moonay is a recognized expert in family law. Highly skilled in the courtroom, she is also experienced in assisting clients with mediation and collaborative divorce. The new Bucks County office adds to the existing offices in West Chester, Kennett Square, Centreville and Delaware office.

The Whip Tavern Spices Up the Menu with a New Chef

Put on your comfortable pants, as since June 8, a new executive chef has been adding her touch to The Whip Tavern’s menu by expanding the traditional British style menu by using locally sourced fresh, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Anne Coll brings her experience in creating delicious culinary creations from Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen in Radnor and Meritage, Philadelphia. Whip Tavern, on 1383 North Chatham Rd, West Marlborough, had been searching for a new leader after Wyatt Lash stepped down last year, to continue its 10-year award-winning success. The tavern’s operating partner, K.C. Kulp, said “Clearly, Anne’s thought process and our concept will work well together. We’re pleased to open our kitchen to her creativity.

Phoenixville Area School District’s Wins over Meadowbrook Golf Club

After being contested by Meadowbrook Golf Club, Phoenixville Area School District has received good news, as the purchase of the golf club has been approved by the courts. During the school board meeting held on June 11, 2015, board President Daniel Cushing reported the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania’s affirmation of the decision to use eminent domain to allow the purchase of the property. Eminent domain law allows the purchase of property at fair value for public use. The courts have determined that the board has operated properly, legally and pursuant to all requirements of Pennsylvania law in all areas. The decision will pave the way for the new Early Learning Center and Elementary School which should be open for the 2017-2018 school year.

NeXeption Combines with AltheRx to Target Overactive Bladders

NeXeption, Chester County’s biopharmaceutical management company has formed a new company, Velicept Therapeutics Inc, to find new ways to combat a condition that affects over 90 million Americans. Velicept Therapeutics will merge with AltheRx Pharmaceuticals in order to advance Solabegron, a potential new treatment for overactive bladders which has already successfully completed its Phase II studies. The merger is expected to close in two to three months. The new company will be based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, same as its parent company NeXeption. See here for more details.