City of Chester

Mayor Wendell N. Butler, Jr.

Wendell N. Butler, Jr. was appointed Mayor of the City of Chester on October 9, 2002, to fill the unexpired term of former Mayor and now State Senator, Dominic F. Pileggi. Mayor Butler was subsequently elected by the citizens of the City of Chester to a four year term in November of 2003 and elected again in November 2007.

Born and raised in the City of Chester, Pennsylvania, Mr. Butler attended Chester public schools until his junior year in high school, when his parents moved to Ridley Township. After graduating from Ridley High School in 1962, Mr. Butler completed three years of service in the United States Army before returning to Chester.

From humble beginnings growing up in a federal housing project, Mr. Butler was determined to make a real difference in his life and in his community.

Upon his return to Chester, he was employed with American Viscose for about three years and in 1969 joined the ranks of the Chester Police Department.

This was the beginning of 33 quality years in law enforcement, which saw numerous promotions and successes. In 1989, Mr. Butler was promoted to Sergeant, and in 1994 he was promoted again to the Command Staff, where he held the position of Major. During this time, Mr. Butler supervised police officers in numerous divisions, administered the drug forfeiture account, was commander of the narcotics unit, worked closely with the City's administration and often performed the duties of the Chief of Police. He also received numerous awards and citations for his duties. In January, 1996 Mr. Butler took his seat as Commissioner of the Chester Police Department, a position he held until he was appointed as Mayor.

During his tenure as Mayor, the City of Chester has experienced an unprecedented level of investment as part of the city's ongoing and dramatic revitalization efforts. In fact, since 1996, the City has witnessed over $1.36 billion in public and private investment with such transforming projects as the Wharf at Rivertown, Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack, as well as significant investments made in the community by the likes of Kimberly Clark, Crozer Chester Medical Center, and Widener University. Chester is now recognized by many as one of the most economically dynamic communities in the region and an emerging case study in urban revitalization.

Mayor Butler is committed to his community and is actively involved in numerous organizations. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Chester; Chester Police Activities League; Pennsylvania, International and Delaware County Chiefs of Police Associations; Fraternal Order of Police; the Masonic Order; and NAACP. An avid sports enthusiast, Mr. Butler spent many years working with city youth through the Chester Biddy League, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts and Chester Youth League. Mr. Butler is presently the Secretary of the South Eastern District of the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities.

Mr. Butler is a lifelong resident of Chester. He resides with his wife, Tanya and two sons, Dondi, 27 and Dirk, 25. He also has a daughter, Elaine, 36, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

CHESTER, Pennsylvania