Sean Sweeney Is Candidate For Tredyffrin Township Supervisor

Pennsylvania's Primary Election is May 18. Sean Sweeney is a candidate for Tredyffrin Township Supervisor and former CEO of Philadelphia Insurance Companies who brings business experience and community fund-raising experience to his candidacy.

He explained why he is running for election.

Sean S. Sweeney

Age: 64

Position Sought: Tredyffrin Township Supervisor at Large

Party Affiliation: Republican

Family:

• Caroline Sweeney, wife. Malvern native, Registered Nurse works as a substitute nurse in the T/E School District and serves as Clinic Supervisor for the non-profit Children’s Dental Clinic.
• Shannon Sweeney, daughter. 2014 graduate of Conestoga High School. 2019 graduate of the University of Tampa (MBA). One of two dual-sport All-Academic All-Conference athletes in the history of the University of Tampa (lacrosse and cross country).
• Erin Sweeney, daughter. 2016 graduate of Conestoga High School. 2020 graduate of St. Joseph’s University (BA), now pursuing her M.Ed. at SJU. Aspires to be an elementary school teacher in the T/E School District.
• Ceara Sweeney, daughter. 2018 graduate of Conestoga High School; starting varsity member of the PIAA Class 3A Girls Lacrosse Championship team in 2016. Currently a junior at the United States Military Academy at West Point where she is also playing lacrosse as a starting defensive midfielder.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education: MBA in Marketing, St. Joseph's University; Bachelor of Administration, University of Mt. Union; Associate of Accounting, Junior College of Albany. Occupation:

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Current director of 1251 Capital Group Private Equity Firm. Former CEO of Philadelphia Insurance Companies, a division of Tokio Marine.
I spent 40 years building a small insurance agency into a global multi-billion-dollar organization. We were a niche underwriter and one of our specialties was insuring municipalities similar to Tredyffrin Township. We provided Risk Management and Commercial Insurance to towns and cities across America with expertise in cost and claim containment.

Why are you seeking elective office?: On Aug. 11, 2018, our township endured a severe storm that damaged my property, the road, sidewalk, and creek bed in front of my home. The cause of the damage was the township stormwater system which had not kept pace with the development in the township. For almost three years the township denied responsibility, ignored repeated pleas for help, and rejected numerous offers for solutions.
After hearing that many other township residents underwent similar experiences and with the urging of friends and neighbors, I decided to run for the Board of Supervisors. The idea intrigued me especially in light of the current polarized and divisive political climate and other issues facing the township. I would like to bring business accountabilities, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility to our local government along with a collaborative, consensus-building style to produce positive outcomes for the residents and taxpayers of Tredyffrin Township.

The single most pressing issue facing our township is: The single most pressing issue facing our Township is two-fold and interrelated: stormwater management and fiscal responsibility.
Tredyffrin Township has a major stormwater management and environmental issue that will be extremely expensive to resolve. I would like to resolve the issue while remaining fiscally responsible.
During my three-year dispute with the township, I spent an inordinate amount of dollars on legal bills as did the township. When the initial water damage occurred I had arranged a grant of up to $30,000 from myself through the Sweeney Family Foundation to partner with the Township to repair the faulty culvert. The township never responded to the grant offer yet they have raised taxes for the last three years.
We need to create a culture of collaboration that the township takes regarding stormwater damage and other issues, reduce legal spending of taxpayer monies, and repurpose those funds to fix the problems. We also need to engage in a public-private partnership and obtain grants from environmental foundations to assist the township fiscally to resolve these issues and stop raising taxes.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? The biggest difference is that I was a business entrepreneur who grew a small company to one that had over $8 billion in assets and over 2,000 employees. As a former CEO, I bring business accountability and know-how to accomplish positive results for the taxpayer. My 40-year business background availed me a plethora of experience in process, procedures, and relationships that will benefit our township.
We have a serious stormwater management problem in the township that has been jawboned with little accountability for actual results. The culverts, bridges, and township infrastructure are in serious need of upgrades and improvements. The starting point is to develop a “Master Plan” for the township which, surprisingly, does not exist.
We have just endured one of the worst pandemics in history which has caused a dramatic reduction in services but no corresponding reduction in taxes. Raising taxes during a pandemic is a failure of fiscal discipline. Township employees are overworked and the residents suffer the effects.
The lack of communication and response from the township to resident inquiries is a failure of management. Today’s technology offers a myriad of cost-effective solutions that would leverage the employee’s time and enable timely responses for taxpayer inquiries.
Another failure is the lack of diversity at all levels of government including leadership positions; I have a specific plan to address this issue and fill positions with qualified individuals.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: In addition to stormwater reform, fiscal responsibility, and increased government accountability, I would like to see an increase in diversity and inclusion in our township. My goal is for 20 percent of the township staff to be highly qualified employees from diverse backgrounds. Through my affiliations with Cristo Rey High School, I have a specific plan to address this objective.
Also, we need to preserve, protect, and environmentally clean up our historical assets in the township. I plan to create a $10 million dollar private endowment fund for the Historical Commission. This will be accomplished by soliciting grants from foundations that have an interest in preserving properties that memorialize American History.
Finally, I would like to create a bike-friendly township with more bike trails and safe bike lanes which will have positive impacts not only for the environment but for the health and welfare of our residents and community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: I was a successful business entrepreneur who grew a small family insurance agency into a multi-billion-dollar international insurance organization. As CEO, I nurtured a corporate culture focused on community first with employees raising millions of dollars for organizations like Challenged Athletes, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Ronald McDonald House.
As Chairman of St. Joseph’s University Risk and Insurance School, I created the “Insure the Future for Diversity" Campaign that provides full scholarships to minority students.
As Co-Chair for Cristo-Rey High School, I helped raise over $45 million dollars to build a college prep school for 600 students from economically challenged backgrounds.
My civic efforts on behalf of our community have been recognized by the Main Line YMCA as I received the prestigious Nash Community Impact Award.
I have a history of success and I will bring that same passion, dedication, and accountability for positive outcomes to the taxpayers and residents of Tredyffrin Township.

The best advice ever shared with me was: “If you don’t like something, suggest something better, then DO IT.” This is a motto I have lived throughout my career and am bringing this to my campaign. Action matters.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: I am a reasonable consensus builder who believes in collaboration and compromise to create positive outcomes for our citizens. Regardless of political party affiliation, we need to be fiduciaries for taxpayers and provide them great value for their tax dollars.
Striving for excellence is a philosophy by which I live my life which is evident in my career successes. On an individual level, I am a former college basketball player, Ironman Triathlete who also buckled at the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race, and summitted Mount Rainier and Mount Hood. I am a passionate proponent for health and fitness and will work on behalf of the people of Tredyffrin Township for all the above issues as they are all related to overall community wellness on multiple levels.

Sean Sweeney's campaign website can be viewed here.