Meet Theo McCleary

Candidate for Parkside Borough Council

Theo McCleary is a seasoned engineer, small business owner, and dedicated Parkside resident running for Borough Council to bring transparency, innovation, and community-centered leadership to local government.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Theo moved to Parkside in 2011 as a first-time homebuyer seeking a strong, welcoming neighborhood to call home. His passion for public service was shaped early on by his mother, Maxine—a retired union president and social worker—who raised him on her own while leading with purpose and principle. Following her to union meetings and political events as a child, Theo developed a deep respect for advocacy and civic engagement.

A graduate of Dobbins Vocational Technical High School and Lincoln Technical Institute, Theo has built a 28-year career as a Radio Frequency Engineer, specializing in network optimization and design. He’s worked for major telecom companies—including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Ericsson—across seven states, while also operating his own multimedia production and web services company.

For the past four years, Theo has contributed his technical expertise and creative talents to Parkside Borough as a member of the Communications Committee. He serves as the borough’s webmaster, videographer, and social media manager—modernizing its digital presence, livestreaming council meetings, and making government more accessible to residents than ever before. Through these efforts, he has helped usher in a new era of transparency and communication in Parkside.

Now, Theo is running for Borough Council to build on that progress, support inclusive growth, and ensure residents have a stronger voice in how Parkside moves forward.