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.

Susan Yoder Schick
Council Vice Chair

Sue Schick is the Senior Vice President of Content, Programming, and Broadcast Production at QVC US, a global leader in video commerce (“vCommerce”), spanning linear TV, ecommerce, digital streaming, and social platforms. Sue assumes executive producer responsibilities for the network, where she oversees 231 hours of live programming each week and leads a dynamic team of 400 team members. Under her leadership, Sue has not only driven the strategic vision for both live and non-live content but also spearheaded initiatives that enhance audience engagement and innovation. Her commitment to excellence continues to elevate QVC's pioneering efforts in the vCommerce landscape.

Sue joined QVC in 1992 and has held roles of increasing responsibility over the past 30 years. Prior to her current role, she held multiple senior leadership positions within QVC US broadcasting, including Vice President of Talent, Vice President of Video Commerce Storytelling, Vice President of Broadcast, and ultimately Senior Vice President. In these roles, she expanded her responsibilities to include content and programming, oversaw talent management teams, and developed strategies to leverage QVC’s program hosts to support growth on both existing and evolving platforms. She also held various roles in Digital, Category Production, Talent Management, and QVC International.

Outside of QVC, Sue serves as Vice Chair of the Council of Trustees at West Chester University and was honored as one of the 150 Most Influential Women of West Chester University in 2022. She also serves as a member of the West Chester University President’s Advisory board.

Sue holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in French from West Chester University.

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. 

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.

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.