The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) inducted Patti Brennan, CEO of Key Financial Inc., into the Chester County Hall of Fame at the Phoenixville Foundry in May. In the presence of 400 of the region's business and community leaders, Brennan received the Chester County Hall of Fame Award for her more than 30 years of service to thousands of local businesses and individuals at CCEDC's premier event of the year. The Chester County Hall of Fame Award recognizes an individual's pre-eminent leadership, business acumen and outstanding achievements within and beyond the Chester County business community.

A nationally renowned wealth adviser who is a commentator on CNBC and the keynote at Forbes Magazine's Top Advisor Summit, Brennan began her career as an ICU nurse before she decided to pursue her passion for financial planning. Now, her wealth management firm, headquartered in West Chester, manages a portfolio of almost $2 billion with a high retention rate. Since Brennan founded the company in 1990, Key Financial has grown to 30 employees. Forbes, Barron's, Fortune and the Financial Times consistently rank Brennan as one of America's top financial advisers. She has also commentated for the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, Worth and Kiplinger's.

Brennan grew up in Newtown Square and has lived in Chester County for almost 35 years since graduating from Georgetown University. She started her own business after working as a financial planner in Center City during the week while working 12-hour shifts at Lankenau Hospital on weekends. She credits her nursing experiences with informing her innovative approach to financial planning.

Brennan has served her community on boards and committees of various nonprofit organizations. She is a winner of the March of Dimes Chester County Women of Achievement Award and was chosen as a "Power Woman to Watch" by Main Line Today magazine.

The Chester County Economic Development Council is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that has sought to promote smart growth in Chester County and the surrounding region for more than 60 years. For more information, visit http://www.ccedcpa.com.