In the Kennett Spotlight

Michael Finnegan

February 2019
by AJ Miguel

An innovator, an executive and a public servant, Michael Finnegan has been an integral member of the local community for over 20 years. An incumbent on the Kennett Consolidated School Board since 2007, he’s up for re-election in Kennett Township this November. While the KCSD School Board is generally non-partisan – most candidates, in fact, cross-register on the election ballot – Michael himself has been a registered Republican for most of his adulthood. However, as a reflection of the larger trend unfolding across the nation, Michael has made the bold decision to register as a Democrat for the first time in 25 years.

Born and raised in North Philadelphia, he attended Roman Catholic High School, eventually moving to Bensalem, where he helped establish and grow LabWare Holdings, Inc., which provides enterprise-scale laboratory informatics solutions. In 1998, he moved to Kennett Square to raise his family and be closer to his company’s offices in Wilmington, DE.

Not a believer in free time, Michael started to get involved in a variety of Chester County boards and associations almost immediately. He’s served on the Southern Chester County Soccer Association for 18 years, ultimately serving as President for 13 years. In his time with SCCSA, he grew the program and advocated for the opportunity for boys and girls to participate, regardless of their ability to pay. In 2007, with one son out of high school and another one enrolled in the district, he ran for the KCSD School Board and has been on the Board since.

But 2019 is shaping up to be a year of reflection and evolution for Michael. His company continues to grow and revolutionize, with offices in 15 countries with customers in 90. He knows it’s time to move on from SCCSA to focus his energy on broadening the impact the sport has on local kids; he will take over as President of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer at the end of February, after having served as VP of Travel for the past 5 years.

So it’s fitting that he’s also taking a closer look at how he identifies as a public servant. He recognizes that the Republican Party as he knew it – the party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan – no longer exists. His personal beliefs more closely align with the priorities of today’s Democratic Party, including advancing clean energy and climate change action; guaranteeing rights for minorities; and investing in modern education that prepare our kids for tomorrow’s challenges. Heading into the 2019 elections, he is coming home to the true party of social reform and fiscal responsibility.

We welcome Michael to the Democratic Party and look forward to working with him as we #FinishTheJob!