2021 CANDIDATES
Sean Sweeney
Tredyffrin Supervisor At-Large
Sean Sweeney is a father, long-time resident of Tredyffrin, and successful business entrepreneur. Sean strives to bring politics back to where it matters — locally. He believes in the power of bi-partisan, solution-oriented compromise with transparency and positive accountability to the taxpayers.
Sean will bring his expertise in finance, risk management, and foundation grant-writing to this role as a public servant. Among his successes over the course of 40-plus years, he has helped grow a small family insurance agency into a multi-billion dollar international insurance organization, has nurtured a corporate culture focused on “community first,” and worked to remove barriers and increase opportunities for students from economically challenged backgrounds.
He believes in creating public/private partnerships to work together to solve problems and looks to apply this experience to the important issues facing Tredyffrin Township.
Tredyffrin Township has been home to the Sweeney family for over a quarter of a century. Sean’s wife Caroline is a nurse for the T/E school district and serves as clinic supervisor for the non-profit Children’s Dental Clinic. Their three children are successful graduates of the T/E public schools: Shannon is an insurance broker, Erin is pursuing her M.Ed. in elementary education, and Ceara is a junior at West Point.
Sean is committed to serving all who also call Tredyffrin home. By restoring voices to its citizens, our community can come together and once again become world-class in every way.
Jim Zdancewicz
Tredyffrin Supervisor At-Large
Jim Zdancewicz AKA “Jimi Z” has been a Berwyn resident for 21 years.
Jim along with his wife Dana live in Berwyn and are focused on raising three outstanding young citizens. Linc, 17 is currently a junior at Conestoga, Rex, 15 is a sophomore at Conestoga while Duke, 13 is in 7th grade at T/E middle school.
From leadership positions with QVC, eBay Enterprise, Industrial Color and now Ripen, Jim has lived and worked in Southeastern PA since 1996. Jim graduated from Susquehanna University with a B.A. in Mass Communications and Audio Engineering.
Jim has served the community through various avenues since taking up residence in Berwyn. He currently serves on the Tredyffrin Township’s Foundation for Parks and Recreation. He spent 6 years on the board for Greener Partners, a local organization that has brought healthy food education to communities in need through the use of farms, mobile farm education vehicles as well as the Deaver Wellness Farm at Lankenau Hospital.
Among his community service and parenting his 3 active boys, Jim’s interests include playing guitar for mainline party-rock band “Bad Neighbor”. Bad Neighbor has participated in various fund-raiser concerts for local organizations include Peter’s Place and various Conestoga sports booster clubs.
You might also catch Jim and Dana during one of their daily long walks around the surrounding neighborhoods with their beloved standard poodle “Bubba”.
His candidacy for Tredyffrin Supervisor At Large answers a calling to the next level of public service that is based on fiscal discipline, common sense/fact-based logical decision making and transparent communication and listening with our community.
Nick Sarracino
Tredyffrin Supervisor District 2 (Middle)
Nick Sarracino is a resident of Berwyn, having moved there with his fiancee when she got a job at Paoli Hospital’s pharmacy residency program. Nick enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2019 and is currently finishing up Officer Candidate School. He will commission as a Second Lieutenant in August. Nick will also complete his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University in the fall earning a B.A. of History and a Certificate in National Security.
In 2015 Nick was elected to the Palmyra Board of Education and served a full three year term. He spent two of those years on the Finance and physical plant committee which oversaw the fine details of the $18 million yearly budget. Some of the most noteworthy accomplishments were to stand his ground on spending issues, demanding a total audit/long term plan, and spearhead the process of refinancing a bond the district took at a lower rate saving taxpayers almost $200,000. Nick specialized in long term thinking for investment projects, ensuring that the dollars of the district were spent wisely.
Nick has worked professionally in finance and wealth management for years, having his series 6, series 65, life/health, and property and casualty licenses in several states. This experience with finance and insurance has allowed him to adeptly analyse those needs for his school district and allowed for further savings/insurance maximizing. This ensured the Palmyra School district could maximize benefits to employees at a more cost effective rate.
As a supervisor Nick wants to focus on ensuring the township is spending residents tax dollars wisely in providing for them. An audit and a long term financial plan are some of the things that Nick wants to work on. Nick’s hard working ethos and dedication to accountability will ensure that his time on the Board will be to the benefit of all residents. Nick looks forward to meeting all residents of District 2(Middle) and earning their trust and votes in the November election.
Leslie Elken
Tredyffrin-Easttown School Board Region 1
Leslie Elken is a lifetime resident of Tredyffrin and Easttown who has called 19333, 19301, 19087 and 19312 home over the years. She has experience within our school system as a K-12 student, parent of 2 children in the district, and teacher. Her son is currently a junior at Conestoga High School. In her career as a teacher and coach she has worked with ages 5 to 23 everywhere from Martin’s Dam Swim Club to Conestoga High School to her current position as Eastern University’s Business Programs’ Internship Coordinator.
She finds great professional satisfaction supporting children as they grow skills to achieve success in current challenges and prepare to land well in the next season of their lives. She has experience being the parent of a child with an IEP and also being an educator daily overseeing IEPs in the classroom.
As a member of the School Board, she would like to focus on financial and curricular transparency, financial conservatism, board policy leadership, and getting our children a full-time in person instructional option.
Deana Wang
Tredyffrin-Easttown School Board Region 2
Deana Wang has been a Tredyffrin resident for 12 years since 2009. She and her husband Eric have two beautiful children, Aaron and Shania. Aaron has graduated from Conestoga High School in 2020 and is now a cadet at West Point Academy proudly serving our country. Shania is currently a 6th grader in T/E Middle School. Well known in the community for her passion and interest for public service, Deana has co-founded CAPA-TE (Chinese American Parent Association – TE) and served as Board Chair for three years. She has also served on numerous other non-profit organizations including Huaxia Chinese School, Sino-American Pharmaceutical Association, and Flying Fox Chinese Sports Council. She represents CAPA-TE on TE School Board Diversity Committee as well.
Deana holds a MBA from Penn State, a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from Baylor University and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Nankai University. She has over 20 years of business experience in pharmaceutical industry including research, sales and marketing, and business management and development.
As a parent who is deeply involved in and cares about the school and education, she is looking to bring her passion, leadership, and business acumen to T/E school board to make sure it will be transparent in operation, accountable for its residents, and most importantly serve to improve and project the quality of education in many years to come.
Rachel Kill
Tredyffrin-Easttown School Board Region 3
Rachel Kill is a mother of two young children in the T/E school district. She is passionate about helping strengthen our community and working with the school administration to increase transparency and communication among parents.
Rachel works full time as a Senior Underwriting Specialist for Contract Surety and has 16 years of experience as a financial and credit underwriter.
As a founding member of her company’s Diversity, Equity and inclusion council Rachel hopes to help integrate these important topics into the culture of our schools.
Bill Nolan
Tredyffrin-Easttown School Board Region 3
Bill Nolan is a retired Cost Price Analyst, having worked for the Department of Defense for 39 years. Bill has extensive experience in financial analysis, contracting, and fiscal policy in government.
Bill is also a veteran, having served 28 years through active duty and reserve. Bill served in Vietnam, and is a recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and other commendations. He retired as Sergeant First Class.
Bill is a father of two children and six grandchildren. He has served on parental boards for elementary and high schools, and actively participated in fund raising activities for these schools. Bill is committed to represent and advocate for both students and parents, and to upholding the public trust as he has done his whole life.
Judge Tom Tartaglio
Magisterial District Judge 15-1-02
Judge Tom Tartaglio is running for re-election. He has 12 years of experience as a magisterial district judge, and 12 years of experience before that as a police officer in Tredyffrin Township.
Judge Tartaglio's lifetime of service demonstrates his deep commitment to our community, and his qualifications for re-election to his office. He has earned the respect and trust of his colleagues and community. You can learn about Judge Tartaglio at his website or follow him on Facebook @judgetartaglio.
Judge Tartaglio is a 50-year resident of Chester County who has lived his entire life within his Magisterial District. His local education helped form the foundation of his character and has led to lifelong friendships in the community. He started his education at St. Monica's parish grade school and progressed through the T/E school district until graduation from Conestoga High School. He is now a proud parent of two current CHS students.
Gene Twardowski
Magisterial District Judge 15-4-01
Gene has over 40 years of experience in dealing with complex legal matters in the corporate and private sectors. Gene served as General Counsel to a Philadelphia based insurance company as well as providing legal services in the private sector. As your District Judge, Gene will lend his experience and knowledge to the district court to ensure that justice, integrity, and trust will prevail for the citizens of Chester County.
Gene has been very active in community service. He served on the Great Valley School District Board of
Directors for 10 years, including 3 years as Board President. He has been a Minister of the Eucharist and
Lector at Saint Patrick Parish. Gene is also an East Whiteland Republican Committee Member. He serves
as Vice Chairman and Secretary of Race 4 The House, a Section 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising funds and contributing to Ronald’s House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Gene and his wife, Betsy have resided in East Whiteland Township for forty years. They have three grown children, Theresa, Gene, Jr. and Julie and two grandsons, Ethan and Jonah. Theresa is a teacher at Great Valley Middle School.