The Chester County Bar Association has announced a leadership transition plan, wherein Wendy Leeper, its veteran Executive Director of almost 20 years, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer for the next 18 months, and Matt Holliday, the county’s former Prothonotary, will join the organization as its Executive Director.

Upon Leeper announcing her intention to retire in 2021, a transition plan was developed and approved by the organization’s Board of Directors.

Holliday and Leeper will work with the Board of Directors, leaders, and staff to provide a seamless transition for its approximately 1,000 members, as well as the management of the many programs and services provided by the Bar Association. Leeper’s institutional knowledge and the relationships she’s developed over the last two decades will be invaluable during this leadership transition.

“While we were quite surprised when Wendy announced her retirement plans, we are extremely pleased that our Board of Directors developed a succession plan that will greatly benefit our association and our members over the long term,” said 2019 Bar Association President Patrick McKenna.

Holliday has been and continues to be actively involved in leadership positions with numerous nonprofits within the community. He currently serves as President of The West Chester Downtown Foundation, Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children, the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, and the Rotary Club of West Chester. He was selected by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce as its 2018 Citizen of the Year and was also the recipient of the 2018 Senator Robert J. Thompson Public Service Award from the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce.

“Wendy’s contributions to our Bar Association and the many awards and accolades she has received have brought us to where we are today,” said Sam Cortes, the Bar Association’s current President. “While we are sad to see her leave us, we are excited to have Matt join us and know that he will bring the same level of dedication and professionalism to his work at the Bar Association as he does to his work in the community.”