Tom McKeon

Tom McKeon, AICP, CEcD, has had a public service career spanning nearly 50 years. Before becoming community development director for Berks County, Tom served as a VISTA/AmeriCorps volunteer in Philadelphia and coordinated various planning, transportation, housing and community development programs in Delaware County and Cherry Hill Township, NJ. Tom retired as executive director of the Berks County Industrial Development Authority at the end of 2020, a position he held since 2005.

Tom was instrumental in the development of major projects for Berks County, including the successful recruitment and development of Cabela’s, the development of a civic arena and performing arts center in downtown Reading, a successful 323-acre industrial park in Bethel (Berks Park 78), the financing of $18 million in highway improvements at Exeter Commons and Berks Park 183 – an industrial park adjacent to the Reading Regional Airport. He has helped with more than 250 tax-exempt financing projects that provided more than $1 billion in financing and the creation and retention of over 17,000 jobs involving Berks County’s most noted employers.

Tom is the father of an adult daughter who is on the autism spectrum. Through her experience, he has learned the severe limitations on resources that exist to support individuals like her. Like many parents, he is concerned about her life and where she will live when parents are no longer around. Tom hopes that his planning and real estate development experience can help to advance the mission of Next Step Berks in developing inclusive communities for people like her.