Trustees

Members

Senator Robert M. Tomlinson
Council Chair

Sen. Robert M. “Tommy” Tomlinson is a 1964 graduate of Bensalem High School and attended the Bordentown Military Institute. He attended West Chester State College, receiving a B.S. degree in 1970. While at West Chester, he served as captain of the football team in 1969 and helped the team capture the state championship in 1967 and 1969. He also played in the Tangerine Bowl in 1967. In 1971, Tomlinson graduated from Miami Dade University with a degree in Mortuary Science.

Sen. Tomlinson is serving his seventh term representing residents of the 6th District in Bucks County. Previously, Tomlinson served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 18th District from 1991 to 1994. He is also a funeral director, owning and operating Tomlinson Funeral Home in Bensalem, a family business established in 1945.

The senator serves as Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, which works to protect the rights of Pennsylvania consumers and ensures that individuals in regulated professions adhere to the highest standards. Tomlinson is also a member of the Transportation, Education, Community, Economic and Recreational Development and Rules and Executive Nominations Committees.

In addition, he serves on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and is a member of the Council of Trustees at West Chester University.

He is currently a member of Bensalem Rotary; the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce; the Bensalem Lions Club; the Bensalem Republican Committee; the Bensalem Business Association; the Bensalem Historical Society; Friends of Bolton Mansion; the Pennsbury Manor Society; Washington Crossing Foundation; Friends of the Silver Lake Nature Center; YWCA Advisory Council; West Chester University Football Hall of Fame; Sturzebecker Foundation Hall of Fame at West Chester University; Bensalem High School Hall of Fame; Bensalem High School Alumni Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association.

The Honorable Barry C. Dozor
Council Vice Chair

Judge Barry C. Dozor was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas by Governor Tom Ridge and swore his oath of judicial office on December 13, 2001. Judge Dozor was then elected for a full judicial term that began on January 5, 2004. On November 5, 2013 Judge Dozor was retained for an additional judicial term of 10 years. Judge Dozor is a lifelong resident of Delaware County, a graduate of Haverford High School, West Chester University (B.A.) and the Widener University School of Law (J.D.). Judge Dozor has attended and was awarded a Certificate from the National Judicial College and participates in many academic and professional forums.

Before his appointment, he was in private practice as a partner in the Law Office of Dozor and Auslander, also served as a Marple Township Commissioner for eighteen (18) years, a Municipal Solicitor for the Boroughs of Prospect Park, Norwood, Collingdale and Tinicum Township; as well as serving as a Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor for Marple Township and the Borough of Darby. He has been active in many civic and charitable organizations and serves on the Council of Trustees of West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to the Delaware County and Pennsylvania Bar Association, Judge Dozor is a member of the American Bar Association. Having been a practicing attorney for 26 years before becoming a Judge, Judge Dozor was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Judge Barry C. Dozor and his wife, Rose, reside in Marple Township, and they have three children.

Having served in the Family Law and Criminal Trial Sections, Judge Barry C. Dozor is presently serving as Liaison Judge for the Civil Trail Section.

 

Marian Moskowitz
Secretary & Council Member

For the past 12 years, Marian has served on the board of West Chester University, an institution that has become a shining example of delivering quality education in a community setting. For her dedication to improving our schools, Governor Tom Wolf named Marian to the Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

As a community developer, Marian oversaw the adaptation of an abandoned factory in Phoenixville into a one-of-a-kind education and business hub known as Franklin Commons. This award-winning project was applauded by the community for providing learning opportunities for children 3 months of age and up to adults obtaining an associate degree or certificate.

Recently, Marian was named president of the historic Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, which has been a beloved entertainment venue for generations. Marian also serves as chair on the Chester County Economic Development Council and has previously served on the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation.

 

Senator Carolyn Comitta
Council Member

Representing the people of Chester County, State Senator Carolyn Comitta was elected to serve Pennsylvania’s 19th District in 2020. In the Senate, Comitta serves as minority chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and on the Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Aging and Youth, Education, and Local Government Committees. Before being elected state senator, Comitta served two terms, beginning in 2016, as state representative for the 156th Legislative District. In the House of Representatives, she served as secretary of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and on the Appropriations Committee and the Aging and Older Adults Committee. Comitta was also vice chair of the Pennsylvania Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, vice chair of the Climate Caucus, vice chair of the House Southeast Delegation, and a member of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. Comitta was first elected to public office on West Chester Borough Council, where she served from 2006 to 2010. In 2010, she became the first woman and first bipartisan-elected mayor of West Chester. During her time on council and as mayor, she helped guide local, state, national, and international organizations and gained deep knowledge of public policy and governance. Senator Comitta earned a master’s degree in education from Widener University and a bachelor’s degree in education from West Chester University. She lives in West Chester with her husband, Tom, and they have two grown children as well as four grandchildren.

 

Tara D. Chupka
Council Member

Tara D. Chupka, Esq., a 2005 West Chester University graduate, is in-house counsel for the International ‎Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 98.  Based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, IBEW Local Union 98 is home to over 4000 members throughout the Tri-State Area.  Starting out as Executive Assistant to the Business Manager, Tara has spent her career helping IBEW 98 use its fiscal strength and expansive membership to become a major force in the city, state, and national Labor Movement.  Tara is also the Executive Director of the Labor Management Cooperation Committee, a joint economic development fund between IBEW Local 98 and the Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter of NECA, created to improve the quality of work life for employees in the construction industry.  

Tara received her Juris Doctor in 2012 from Temple University Beasley School of Law.  

Tara is a committee member of the IBEW Local 98 Scholarship Fund, Trustee of The Cecelia Dougherty Medical Trust Fund, a Young Friend of the Urban Affairs Coalition, an active volunteer for the charity Michael's Way, and a member of numerous other charities and organizations. 

 

Thomas A. Fillippo
Council Member

Fillippo is chairman of the board of Devault Foods and a long-time supporter of West Chester University whose ties to the University extend to his two children, both of whom are WCU alumni (Joelle ’05 and Thomas W. ’15). A member of the WCU Council of Trustees since 1998, he has served both as council chair and as the council representative to the West Chester University Foundation Board of Trustees.

A kinesiology major and former WCU football player, Fillippo is a member of the Rams Athletic Association and an advisory board member of the Sturzebecker Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame, the Killinger Hall of Fame, and the Sturzebecker Hall of Fame. In recognition of his many contributions to the University, he received the President’s Award in 1998, the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006, and the President’s Medallion in 2019.

Fillippo serves numerous community and industry organizations as a director of DNB First Bank, a member of the Board of Directors of the North American Meat Institute, director emeritus of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, trustee of Paoli Hospital Foundation, and past president of the Pennsylvania Meat Packers Association, among other roles.

 

Christopher Franklin
Council Member

Christopher Franklin is chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG). Essential is one of the largest publicly traded water, wastewater and natural gas providers in the U.S., serving approximately 5 million people across 10 states. He has served as CEO since July 2015, and as chairman since December 2017.

Professional History

Since being named CEO in 2015, the company's market capitalization more than doubled, to more than $11 billion. Through the company's growth-through-acquisition program, customer count nearly doubled and total return to shareholders was more than 100%. In 2018, the company welcomed its 1 millionth customer, and in 2019, it announced what will be the largest municipal acquisition in the company's history - an agreement to acquire the wastewater assets of the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (DELCORA), adding 165,000 new customers. These successes are attributed to Franklin refocusing the company on growing its regulated business, purchasing municipal water and wastewater systems, and shedding its under-performing unregulated businesses. The company then broadened its strategy by adding a natural gas platform with the $4.3 billion purchase of Pittsburgh-based Peoples.

The accomplishment of which Franklin is most proud is building a strong management team. He has worked deliberately to bring diversity to the company's board of directors, employee base and management team. In fact, Franklin has appointed nine women to leadership roles in the company since being named CEO. Under Franklin's leadership, the company has been recognized by the Forum of Executive Women in Philadelphia for recruiting a Board of Directors that is comprised of at least 30 percent women. Additionally, Franklin was named one of the Philadelphia Business Journal's Most Admired CEOs in 2017 for his "strong record of innovation, outstanding financial performance, commitment to quality, a strong vision, a commitment to diversity in the workplace and contributions to the Greater Philadelphia region." In 2019, Franklin was recognized by EY (formerly Ernst & Young) with their "Entrepreneur of the Year" award for his innovative vision of the Peoples acquisition and many years of successful leadership in the utility industry.

Prior to his role as CEO, Franklin was president and chief operating officer. A 27-plus­ year veteran of the company, Franklin has held executive roles in public affairs, customer service and operations.

Board Leadership

In addition to serving as the chairman of Essential's board of directors, Franklin is active in the community and serves on the following nonprofit boards:

• Director and past chairman, National Association of Water Companies
• Director, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
• Director, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Trustee, University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Trustee, West Chester University's Council of Trustees, West Chester, Pa.
• Trustee, The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.

Education

Franklin earned his bachelor's degree from West Chester University and his MBA from Villanova University.

 

Jonathan Ireland
Council Member

Jon’s sales and marketing career spans for over 30 years. His experience before coming to the investment world included; the hospitality industry, pharmaceutical products and devices, and medical waste industry, and currently have over 20 years of sales experience in the investment industry.

Jon has collectively worked for Valley Forge Investment Corporation for 27 years.

Jon currently serves on the West Chester University Council of Trustees and has served as proxy for Pennsylvania State Treasurer Hafer on the State Public School Building Authority and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Facilities Authority Board. He has also served on The Gettysburg Foundation and Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Boards. Jon has also helped raise contributions for Chester County Food Bank, Michael’s Way, Project H.O.M.E., The Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership and Thorncroft Therapeutic Riding Center.

Jon received both his Bachelors of Science and MBA degrees from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and held both a Series “7” & “63” S.E.C. licenses.

Jon grew up in Chester County, PA. Currently lives in Coatesville PA with his wife Kay and their two children.

 

Susan Yoder Schick
Council Member

Susan Yoder Schick ’88 is vice president of Video Commerce Storytelling at QVC, the pioneering multi-platform digital retail giant. In that role, she oversees the management and development of the Host team, as well as the production strategy to drive customer engagement through impactful storytelling, both on-air and on digital platforms.

Ms. Schick joined QVC in 1992 and has held roles of increasing responsibility over the past 28 years. She was most recently the VP of Talent, where she oversaw the talent management teams, as well as the overall strategies to leverage QVC’s program hosts to support growth on both existing and evolving platforms. Prior to then, she held a variety of roles within the areas of Digital, Category Production, and our QVC International business. At QVC, she additionally served as a co-lead on the Diversity and Inclusion team and the Women’s Resource group.

While Ms. Schick’s numerous contributions to QVC are woven deeply into the company’s fabric, she is recognized for building effective teams through leadership excellence and for having a strong connection to QVC’s corporate values. Working chiefly in the areas of digital, category production, and talent, she brings a unique perspective gained through experience across the business.

Ms. Schick has deep connections to West Chester University. She is a member of the University’s corporate advisory board and frequently engages WCU students to serve as interns at QVC. Daughter of the late Honorable Dick Yoder ’59, Ms. Schick’s connections to WCU reach literally to her childhood, one that included many days spent on the campus long before her enrollment as an undergraduate. Mr. Yoder’s indelible presence on the campus spanned decades as WCU’s director of athletics, chair of kinesiology, acting associate dean of the School of Health Sciences, and football coach, as well as two-term mayor of West Chester Borough.

Ms. Schick earned her bachelor’s in marketing, with a minor in French, from West Chester University.

 

Betty Silfa
Council Member

Silfa is vice president and commercial loan officer at Mid Penn Bank, which is based in Chester County. As a senior relationship manager with more than 40 years of experience in financial services, Silfa is a leader in the business banking and retail banking industry. Among the areas that Silfa oversees in her current role as vice president are relationship management, customer service, and risk management. She also manages a portfolio comprised of new and existing clients. Prior to joining Mid Penn Bank, Silfa was vice president and sales manager at Bryn Mawr Trust.

An active member of the community, Silfa has worked closely with the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, West Chester Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Chilean Chamber of Commerce, Latino Professional Group [of West Chester], the Women Referral Network of Chester County, the World Trade Center [in Delaware], and Rethink Innovations. She has also been an active board member of Chester County Futures, as well as CareLink, and has lent her expertise as an instructor at the American Institute of Banking.

Silfa holds certification in human resource management from Villanova University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in business administration and human resource management from Pace University in New York.