James D. and Mary Jo Danella

In 1972, with the help and guidance of his father, Carmen, James Danella began his professional journey when he purchased a utility construction company in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Over nearly half a century, Jim grew that local business with 38 employees into a national company with more than 1,800 full-time employees, 26 offices, and 33 equipment and material yards across the United States. Today, Mr. Danella is Chairman and CEO of the Danella Companies, which specializes in offering utility construction and engineering services in the communication, fiber, gas, electric, water, and steam industries, and is a leader in equipment rentals to Class A railroads and transit authorities throughout the United States. Danella most recently added a nationwide storm Recovery Services Division and Railroad Construction Division, as well as a Vegetation Management Division working in Florida, Virginia, and California.

The Danella name is known and trusted in the community for excellence, integrity, and putting people first. Danella Companies’ mantra is Pride in Everything We Do. Jim, together with his wife, Mary Jo, works to bring the Danella Companies’ mantra to practice in their family, their business, and their community. Jim and Mary Jo have been longtime friends of Jefferson and are passionate about supporting the needs of the Jefferson community. Their generosity has made dreams come true for many who aspire to be physicians, and it has brought Danella-worthy quality and safety to everything Jefferson does. Their gift to establish the James D. and Mary Jo Danella Family Scholarship has allowed Jefferson to train the physician leaders of tomorrow. And most recently, in the age of COVID, the impact of the James D. and Mary Jo Danella Chief Quality and Safety Officer is being felt every day.

Mr. Danella has served the community on the Board of Trustees for Villanova University, LaSalle Academy, and LaSalle College High School. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the American Contractors Insurance Group and a former member of the Board of Directors for Commonwealth Bancorp Inc. of Norristown and Penn Liberty Bank. He served on the Board of Directors for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Heritage of Faith, Vision of Hope campaign.

The Danellas live in Gwynedd, Pennsylvania and have five children and six grandchildren.