After hedge fund adviser J. Michael Bontrager built Chatham Financial into an 850-employee powerhouse, he turned his focus into revitalizing Kennett Square and area towns, writes Joseph N. DiStefano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Bontrager, who stepped down in 2018 as founding head of the investment-risk adviser, has since used a mix of personal funds, private donations, and local and state government support to launch a series of projects with his allies under the Square Roots Collective banner, spanning restaurants, hotels, and nonprofits.
Through affiliated entities, the group has acquired two percent of Kennett Square’s housing stock to convert into rental properties. This aimed to attract more college-educated young residents while elevating quality of life for longtime community members and local workers.
“[I wanted] to convince people we wanted to hire, between the ages of 25 and 33, that Kennett is a reasonable place for them to live,” said Bontrager.
After revealing his ALS diagnosis last year, Bontrager rallied staff and allies, from family members and friends to former Chatham colleagues and a diverse group of Southern Chester County professionals. Their goal has been to transform Square Roots into a lasting movement that would continue long after him.
Read more about Michael Bontrager and his dedication to Chester County in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
_____
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on VISTA.Today in February 2026.
