City of Chester Fills Chief of Staff Role with Veteran Leader

Former CWA executive Thomas Moore returns to Chester to oversee city administration

Chief of Staff Thomas Moore

CHESTER, Pa. (Sept. 25, 2024) _ The City of Chester announced that former Chief of Staff Thomas Moore will return to that position to oversee operations and help lead efforts to revitalize the city and ultimately exit bankruptcy and receivership. Moore, who currently has a senior position at the Chester Water Authority (CWA), brings decades of high-level and frontline public administration experience to the post.

From 2004 to 2011, Moore served as Chester’s director of economic development and then later as chief of staff. Since 2012, he has served as director for business development/information technology for CWA. Moore, a Chester resident for 23 years, was selected by City Receiver Michael Doweary, Mayor Stefan Roots and the City Council from a field of 96 applicants. His appointment was approved by the City Council on Wednesday, and he will start Sept. 30.

As chief of staff, also known as the city administrator, Moore will provide leadership, management and vision to ensure:  1. employees perform effectively and productively; 2. operational controls are established across all city functions; and 3. efficient administrative and reporting procedures are in place to ensure the city government is best serving residents. Moore will report to Receiver Doweary and Mayor Roots.

“I want to thank Mayor Roots, the City Council and the Receiver for their confidence in me,” Moore said. “As a resident of Chester, I know that what happens in City Hall directly impacts people in varied and deep ways.

“This is a unique opportunity at a critical time to make a difference in the City’s future. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work with the team of professionals at City Hall to improve the lives of our residents.”

Mayor Roots said: “Thomas Moore’s deep-rooted connections to Chester, coupled with his decades of experience and economic development makes him the best choice for our city during this crucial time. Thomas has a proven track record of delivering results and navigating complex issues, and I am confident his leadership will help us build a stronger and more vibrant community. We look forward to working with him as we continue to move Chester forward.”

Chester is one of the most historic and culturally diverse areas in the region. Chester is the oldest city in Pennsylvania and has numerous claims to fame. William Penn landed here in 1681 and Ethel Waters was born and raised in the city. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. studied and preached in Chester, and the city is the home of the hoagie.  Major businesses such as Kimberly Clark, Harrah's Casino, Crozer Hospital, Widener University, and the Philadelphia Union have significant operations in Chester.

This hire comes as the city is in the midst of serious financial and operational challenges. Since 1995, the City of Chester has been under Commonwealth financial oversight in accordance with the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act (Act 47 of 1987). In 2020, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania appointed Michael Doweary as the Receiver for the City of Chester, who filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy on the city’s behalf in 2022.

Chester continues to manage multimillion-dollar deficits, past-due obligations to its employee pension plans, and marginal investments in its infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the Receiver and Mayor Roots have filled key leadership positions, professionalized operations and put a renewed focus on business development.

Moore brings a wealth of experience in public administration and economic development, having dedicated his career to serving both federal and local government constituencies. After earning a  Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Moore served as borough manager for the Borough of Trafford. He joined Chester in 1999 as director of economic development, where he was instrumental in the development of the Wharf at Riverton and Harrah’s Chester Casino. In 2004, he was named chief of staff. He left in 2011 to work for the CWA.

“Amid so many strong candidates, Thomas Moore’s experience and dedication to the people of Chester stood out,” Receiver Doweary said. “He is the right person at the right time to manage this city.”

Moore replaces former Chief of Staff Leonard Lightner, who resigned in July to become municipal administrator of Norristown. Fire Commissioner JP Shirley served as interim chief of staff after Lightner’s departure.

For more information on the City of Chester’s leaders and governance, visit the City of Chester’s website. For more information on the city’s financial recovery plan, visit the Receiver for the City of Chester’s website.

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