Jeffrey Scharf, who was born in Phoenixville and grew up in Chester County, is the President of Canna Botanical Dentistry, which offers natural alternatives to address the most common types of stress and pain associated with dental visits, and the Director of Contemporary Health Career Institute in Exton.

Scharf earned a bachelor’s degree in Resource Economics from University of Connecticut and an MBA from Drexel University. He credits the Organic Chemistry professor he had while he was taking some post-graduate courses at West Chester University as having the biggest impact on his career.

“While Dr. Joel Ressner’s teaching may have been considered stern by some, it was his regimented procedures that established clear expectations for the entire class,” said Scharf. “While I learned some chemistry along the way, the real lesson was in utilizing repeatable systems to establish realistic and clear expectations. This has been so pervasive in my career and relates to dealing with customers, employees, students, co-workers, and business prospects and even in establishing repeatable business systems.”

Scharf’s proudest professional achievement occurred in March 2018.

“We celebrated the 50th commencement ceremony for Contemporary Health Career Institute, which included our 500th graduate,” he said. “One of the graduates was also the daughter of an alum and represented a second-generation dental assistant being educated at CHCI. I never thought anyone would call themselves a ‘CHCI legacy.’”

Scharf’s favorite Chester County restaurant is Umami Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar in Lionville.