The Exton Region Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the Small Businessperson of the Year Award and the Harold Martin Leadership Award. Kate McNamara of Topiary 219 Floristry & Horticulture has been selected as the Small Businessperson of the Year winner, and Glenn Marshall, Founder and CEO of First Resource Bank, has won the Harold Martin Leadership Award. ERCC received nominations from community members and the winners were selected by the chamber’s Board of Directors. 

Kate McNamara, the owner of Topiary 219 Floristry & Horticulture, and her team have been an incredible force in the community.  McNamara took over Topiary 219 four years ago and has since expanded and moved locations. She is always looking for ways to give back, get involved, and just make things prettier.

Topiary 219 employs eighteen people and continues to grow. Her reputation has also solidified as the go-to florist in the area and has received numerous awards for her beautiful work.  McNamara is on the Annual Dinner and Casino Night Committees at the chamber and is involved with the West Chester Charity Ball benefitting the Friends Association. She is also the West Chester Wedding Guide Founding Member. 

Glenn Marshall founded First Resource bank in 2005 as a community bank in Exton. First Resource Bank has been named the best bank in Chester County, and the Main Line, and has been voted one of the best places to work in the region. In addition to those accolades, Marshall and his leadership team have been committed to the community and giving back. Since the bank’s inception, they have given back $2.25 million to the local community.

First Resource Bank employs more than sixty local community members. When ERCC was seeking nominations for this award, Marshall’s name continually came up.  In 1991, when Marshall was running as township supervisor of West Whiteland Township, Harold Martin himself was a supporter and showed up to the polls encouraging others to elect him. 

The presenting sponsor of the gala is Siepser Eyecare. With six locations in the region, Siepser is the prominent eyecare specialist locally.  They use the latest technology to correct a variety of vision issues, and combat dry eye all while making their patients comfortable. 

Siepser is also committed to giving back as well. Siepser has set up eyeglass collection boxes around the community and is collecting used eyeglasses and frames. They partnered with Salus University and bring much-needed medical eye care to those in underserved nations. Donated pairs of eyeglasses will go towards these efforts. Donation boxes are located at SpringHill Suites, ReStores, and the ERCC. Siepser will do a drawing from the donated pairs of glasses. One lucky winner receives free LASIK surgery. 

The 50thAnniversary Gala: Red Carpet Edition presented by Siepser Eyecare will be held on Sept. 22 from 5 PM to 8:30 PM at Loch Aerie Mansion. This year, the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 50th Anniversary as central Chester County’s chamber. Cocktail attire, black tie optional. 

Contact Maggie March at mmarch@ercc.net for more information.