Biography

10/10/1944 -

Andrew E. “Andy” Dinniman (D19) Chester (Part) County 2006-2020

Early Life:

Andrew E. “Andy” Dinniman, born October 10, 1944, New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut; son of Harold and Edith Dinniman; Amity Regional High School; University of Connecticut, B.A., political science, 1966; University of Maryland, (M.A., history, 1969; Pennsylvania State University, Ed.D., history/philosophy of higher education, 1978; teacher, Prince George Community College; professor, West Chester University; Downingtown Area School Board, 1975-1979; Commissioner, Chester County, 1992-1996; member, Chester County Board of Commissioners, 1996-2006; married, Margo, one child.

Early Career:

Member, Chester County Conservation District, Democratic National Committee, honorary member, Chester County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; member, Chester County Historical Society, Green Valleys Association, French and Pickering Land Trust, Buck and Doe Land Trust, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), West Chester Branch, Brandywine Valley Association, Chester County Historic Preservation Network, Chester County Trade Council, Joint Legislative Conservation Committee, Education Committee of the States, Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority (PHEFA), State Public School Building Authority (SPSBA), Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority; chairman, Chester County Democratic Committee, 1979-1985; appointed, West Whiteland Municipal Authority, Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee.

Awards:

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Community Service Award, 1997, Military Order of the Purple Heart Citation for Outstanding Service to Veterans, 1998, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Excellence in Local Government Award, 1998, Grange Award for Public Service, 1999, Exton Regional Chamber of Commerce Regional Leadership Award, 1999, Chester County Water Resources Leadership Award, 2003, Melton Arts and Education Center Community Builder Award, 2004, Hutchinson Union American Methodist Episcopal Church (UAME) Church People That Make A Difference Award, 2004, Housing Partnership of Chester County Building Better Communities Award, 2004, Chester County CARES Hunger Awareness Award, 2006, Congressional Medal of Honor Society President’s Award, 2011, Chester County Detachment of Marine Corps League Distinguished Citizen Award, 2012, Association for Retarded Citizens of the United States (ARC) of Pennsylvania Legislator of the Year, 2012, French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Sam and Eleanor Morris Conservation Award, 2012, Temple University College of Education Institute of Disabilities Support in Disability Policy Award, 2013, Acquired Brain Injury Network of Pennsylvania Legislators Award, 2013, United States Humane Society of Pennsylvania Chapter Humane Senator of the Year, 2013, Pennsylvania Bio State Public Official of the Year, 2013, Aidan’s Heart Foundation Community Leadership Award, 2014, Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association Legislative Leadership Award, 2014, West Chester University President’s Medal for Service, 2015, Chester County Emergency Medical Services, Council Robert Thompson Memorial Award, 2016, Lincoln University Alumni Association Distinguished Leadership Award, 2017.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Member, Downingtown Area School Board, 1975-1979.

Commissioner, Chester County, 1992-1996; member, Chester County Board of Commissioners, 1996-2006.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 19th district, Chester (Part) County, special election, vacancy, death, Robert "Bob" Thompson, May 16, 2006; became, first Democrat elected to represent Chester County, Pennsylvania State Senate since the 1920s; committee assignments, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Education, (Minority Chair), Environmental Resources and Energy, Game and Fisheries; retired November 30, 2020.

Cited: 

The Pennsylvania Manual, (2019-2020). Mattos, S. (Editor). (Volume 124) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 3-33, 3-39; Biographies of Members of the Senate, page 3-17.