West Chester native John O’Brien is the Executive Director of the West Chester Business Improvement District (BID), a municipal authority that partners with businesses to increase the borough’s vitality.

O’Brien, whose first job was working at Acme Markets, has two degrees from West Chester University: a bachelor’s in Political Science and an MBA. He credits a number of people with having a big impact on his career.

“The BID Board of Directors have been extremely welcoming and open to new approaches to the way the BID engages with the community,” said O’Brien. “Matt Holliday has been a long-time friend who has always been there for me with great advice and guidance. Finally, my fellow firefighters at First West Chester Fire Company have helped to give me an opportunity to develop my leadership skills.”

O’Brien’s proudest professional achievement was his efforts to keep the borough’s businesses afloat during the pandemic by expanding marketing and increasing opportunities for outdoor dining.

“The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission did a study of 75 small towns throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey examining the economic effects of the pandemic,” he said. “It showed that West Chester was one of the 10-least-impacted towns, and that is in spite of the fact that we are a college town. That isn’t to say our businesses didn’t suffer, but relative to a lot of other areas, we fared pretty well, and that is in part to the hard work of the BID. In 2020, we had more businesses open than close in West Chester.”

O’Brien’s favorite restaurant in Chester County?

“All of the restaurants in downtown West Chester,” he said.

O’Brien and the rest of the 2022 Class of VISTA Millennial Superstars will be honored at the Awards Reception & Celebration held outdoors on Tuesday, May 10 at Penn State Great Valley. The in-person event will feature food trucks, drinks, touchless registration, a VIP tent, and boundless opportunities to network. It will also be live-streamed.

Sponsors are still being sought. Click here to learn more about the various opportunities available to partner with VISTA Today as it celebrates Chester County’s next generation of leaders.