Upper Darby native MaryFrances McGarrity is the SVP of Business Development and Location Services at Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC).

McGarrity attended Archbishop Prendergast High School and earned her bachelor of science in Management and Marketing from St. Joseph’s University. She also earned her Elementary Education Certification at Immaculata University, attained a PA Real Estate License (commercial), and is a PIAA Basketball Official.

McGarrity credits her parents as having a huge impact on her career.

“As immigrants from Ireland, they came to the U.S. with very little in material things,” she said. “They worked hard and sacrificed to give my six siblings and me a better life. They taught me morals, values, and respect, and held the bar high. My high expectations for myself came directly from them.”

Over the course of her career, one of McGarrity’s proudest accomplishments is the work she was a part of during Covid-19 when she and her colleagues at CCEDC worked on the Covid Working Capital Access (CWCA) PA State Loan Program that helped 98 companies obtain $7,361,000 in loans to help during the uncertainty of the onset the pandemic.  

“This was quickly followed by round one of the Chester County Main Street grant program that helped 247 businesses obtain grants on average of $20,400 for a total of over $5 million,” she stated. “And the second round of the Main Street grants helped 333 companies obtain grants of $29,900 on average or a total of $9,959,500; and the final CARES Act funding for those in the hospitality industry (CHIRP) grants for 203 grantees, averaging $28,803 per grant, for a total of $5,845,000. We helped these companies stay in business and they were so grateful for all we did for them.”

McGarrity believes great leaders lead by example, modeling the attributes they expect from their employees, and that successful leaders are always assessing and tightening the vision and mission so it stays aligned with staff and corporate goals.

“They hustle for results and are held accountable for their work,” she said. “A successful leader practices strong follow-up and is action-oriented which leads to success for all. The leader then shares the spotlight and allows the team to shine!”

Of the 12 Principles of the Scout Law — Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent — Trustworthy resonates the most with McGarrity.

“I believe it is so important to be a person of your word, cultivating credibility and dependability,” she stated. “When you show up, do the right thing — even when it’s difficult — people respect you. Trustworthiness is something I aspire to every day.”

The Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America will honor McGarrity and the 11 other BSA VISTA Leadership Megastars at an awards reception on Thursday, Oct. 17, at its new Program, Activity, and Resource Campus (PARC) in Exton. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available at Boy Scouts of America. For more information, contact Kristin Conran at kristin.conran@scouting.org.