Roger Richardson, membership director at the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, asks chamber President & CEO Guy Ciarrocchi about growing up in South Philly, attending a grade school with 200 kids in a single class, his love of Chicago (the band not the city!), attending St. Joes and then Villanova Law School, why he enjoys leading the Chamber and the best advice his  77 year-old mother ever gave him.

Where did you grow up, Guy?

I was born in northeast-Philadelphia but I grew up in South Philadelphia and lived there until 1995. In December of 1995, just days before the blizzard of 1996 and with two used rear-wheel drive cars and no shovels, I moved to Paoli.

What memories do you have from growing up in in South Philadelphia

I have many memories. I attended a huge grade school; 200+ in each grade. But in 8th grade, to show us how well we bonded, the teacher, who was a nun, made us stand and name everyone in our class.  Almost everyone could name everyone.

I was lucky to live in a neighborhood with so many kids my age.  I recall never being alone. We played sports 24/7/365 days a year. From touch & tackle football to street hockey to baseball to handball, we were active from sun-up to sun-down. I remember I had dinner with my family every night unless I ate with a friend’s family. I was blessed to have so many friends and parents who cared and to be in a community where you could walk everywhere, despite being in the city.

What was your first job?

I started delivering the Evening Bulletin when I was 13. I picked my papers up with my shopping cart each day from a store-front near across the street from what is now Chickie’s & Pete’s in South Philly. I’d walk the cart with my body and fold the papers into newspaper folds with my hands to deliver them.

Being in South Philly, I of course worked in restaurants. My first restaurant job was at Ralph’s on 9th street as a bus-boy.

What lessons did you take away from that experience, that stay with you today?

From the paper, I learned 2 things: responsibility; if I didn’t show-up, no-one got their paper. I also learned the value of having money to spend so I could begin to make my own purchasing choices.

From the restaurant, I learned 2 things; how hard family-owned businesses are to operate, yet how much pride there is. And, when a restaurant staffer tells you the wait is 15 minutes…assume it’s 30!

Did you play any sports in college?

We played a lot of flag football. I was a wide receiver and safety. I’ll let others decide if that counts as “playing a sport.”

What music were you listening to in high school and college?

Well, I have to tell the truth…being a South Philly kid, while I listened to top 40 music with my parents in the car, my personal preferences were, yes…disco!  And R&B dance music. But my first concerts were quite varied; Barry Manilow (with my family), Billy Joel, Earth, Wind & Fire…and, Rick James. My all-time favorite band is Chicago. If we are flipping stations and I hear a Chicago song, my kids know I get to listen to the whole song.

Where did you go to college?  

I went to St. Joseph’s University. I got a degree in International Relations; Learned about politics, economics and government.

I got accepted into law school after graduation as well as met my wife, who is my best friend and mentor.

So, yes…everything turned out great. My only regret was that I was a “commuter,” I grew up nearby, however by junior and senior year, I basically only stopped home to get fresh clothes.

I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, I feel so blessed and so grateful to my parents, and my grand-parents. I must add that I am also a graduate of Villanova Law School, which not only afforded me a great education, but kept me close to home where I needed to be when my dad was diagnosed with cancer.

Who gave you your big break, Guy?

I’ve had a few…I’ve been fortunate to be recruited for many of my jobs.

In 1986 then-Commissioner Earl Baker asked me to work for him in the courthouse doing research and supporting the commissioners. (He wouldn’t want me to say this; but current COO Mark Rupsis was working for the Commissioners then.) I actually got to see how government worked first-hand.

While working for the Archdiocese I was asked to serve on many regional and statewide boards of organizations. This was a great opportunity to serve and to also learn about the state and many issues in social services and education.

And in 2013, while working as Chief of Staff for my longtime friend, Lt. Gov Jim Cawley, I was asked if I wanted to apply to be president of the Chamber. I’m happy I was asked and fortunate to have been given this opportunity. I get to do two things I enjoy: Advocate (for job-creating policies and projects) and learn (from some of the brightest business leaders in some of the most diverse and vibrant businesses in the state, and nation). Leading the Chamber is like getting an MBA from experts.

What are your biggest challenges and opportunities looking forward?

At the outset; that’s exactly how I look at business and operational issues: they are both challenges and opportunities

Our biggest operational challenge is communication. Both internal and external. In a world of 24/7 information, available in limitless platforms from limitless providers of information, how does a member-based advocacy & educational organization make sure that it’s members are aware of all that we offer and that we are offering what they are looking for. And, how to make sure that policymakers, employees and the general public knows that we are fighting every day to promote policies, people and programs that will keep our economy growing.

Our biggest external challenge is that Chester County is the best place in Pennsylvania, if not the nation to start a business and raise a family. How can the chamber make sure we play a role in helping our economy grow and our quality of life to be so high—in an ever-changing, worldwide economy?

We remain committed to being a chamber that provides unquestionable return-on-investment to our members and positive, impactful advocacy for our region–a need not otherwise being met.

Finally Guy, what is the best piece of advice you ever received?

When I started college, my mom gave me great advice. She pointed out to me that I was starting fresh.  Most people didn’t know me. She told me the people I would meet had no idea if I was smart, funny, hard-working, etc. I had the chance to chart my own path and create my own story. This was indeed both an opportunity and a challenge. I chose to take it as an opportunity.

My mom is 77 and weighs 100-pounds “soaking wet.” She was widowed in 1989. She lost her dad in 1974, her mom in 1992 and her son in 2003 yet, she keeps moving forward, absorbing life’s hits and then moves forward. She of course, never forgets her parents, my dad or my brother. Yet, she is a constant; sometimes offering life advice; but often, her ability to get up off the canvas is beyond inspirational.

My late brother Gregg never “gave me advice.” Gregg just lived his life as an eternal optimist and passionate capitalist. He didn’t give speeches or talk (much) about politics. Rather, Gregg embraced every chance to work, to create, to dream–and then, build on successes or start over. Gregg left far, far too soon; but got his dream to start his own coffee-cart business at Temple.

Ronald Reagan showed me that America, albeit imperfect, was a shining city on a hill. And with that came not so much pride, but responsibility and opportunity; to one another and to the world.

Jack Kemp inspired me by being a passionate capitalist, being firmly committed to creating opportunities for all. Capitalism isn’t merely an economic system; it’s a vehicle to help people reach their own success.

We don’t judge a compassionate society by counting how many people receive welfare. Rather, we measure it by how many people don’t need welfare. In a truly compassionate, citizen-focused society, we offer educational opportunities and access to capital and people; and then allow and encourage everyone to reach his or her potential.

So I’ve been given an education that no one in my family had ever gotten. I’ve been taught about democracy, capitalism, toughness and opportunity. Whatever I achieve, I do so standing on the shoulders of those who’ve helped me get here. It creates opportunities…and, responsibilities.

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Roger Richardson has been the Membership Director at The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry since October 2015. Prior to joining the Chamber, Roger worked in advertising at iHeartMedia and as a television producer and writer at Nancy Glass Productions. From 2012 to 2014, he was a freelance journalist in New York City and has been published in Lifestyle Mirror and The New York Post. He has a degree in Broadcast Journalism from New York Film Academy and a B.A. in Communications from Drexel University. He is pro-business and a die-hard Flyers fan.