Downingtown-Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce

The chamber has announced the formation of a new Business and Education Council, which is comprised of business leaders and educators from the Downingtown and Coatesville school districts and the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s Technical College High School.

“We at the chamber are honored to be partnering with many local educators to help establish a connection between local students and the business community,” said Mike Glover, chamber president. “Our goal is to provide students with real-world business partners who can help mentor, provide internships and job shadowing opportunities. Workforce development is a focus of many business organizations throughout Chester County and we are excited to be one of the organizations at the forefront of the movement.”

A preliminary outline of the council’s work includes:

• Connect students with employment, internship, job shadow, and other work-to-learn opportunities in the region
• Create at least one annual event incorporating the above, open to all students in the region
• Educate employers about the benefits and state requirements for these opportunities
• Gain input from the business community regarding needed workforce development efforts in schools

Citizen Planner Awards

Chester County 2020 will honor Sarah Peck, principal of Progressive New Homes, and David Ward, former assistant director of the Chester County Planning Commission, during the organization’s annual reception on April 25.

Peck is being given the Citizen Planner Award of 2019. She is a recognized expert on infill housing development and the concept’s growing acceptance in suburban communities. Peck is the former CEO of Rouse/Chamberlin Homes of Exton and co-founder of the Housing Partnership of Chester County.

Ward is being given the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been involved in planning for more than 40 years and retired in 2018. Ward played a key role in developing the county’s award-winning Landscapes program and managed the first revision of the plan, Landscapes 2.

Click here to learn more about the reception.

Immaculata University

Keith Rayle, who serves as the security strategist for the cybersecurity firm Fortinet, will present “AI and Cybersecurity: The History, Workings, Ups, Downs, and Future” on Thursday, March 28, at 6:30 PM in Loyola Hall Room 127.

“Like most technology, artificial intelligence can either add value to our lives or create more challenges,” said George Schwartz, director of Immaculata’s Emergency Planning and Management program. “From a cybersecurity perspective, AI will be used to both help protect and threaten our systems. We are fortunate that there are not many experts more qualified than Keith Rayle to help us understand this important topic.”

In response to innovative and growing technologies such as AI, the field of cybersecurity is constantly adapting, and new cybersecurity degree programs, including Immaculata’s Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity, are being offered to meet the demand for cybersecurity professionals. The event is free and open to the public. Click here to RSVP.