About Us
The Zidek Family
We’re a family not unlike most: Parents, adult children, and grandchildren looking to do our best by the people we meet and the places where we live.
Matriarch Mary is a retiree who splits her time between Philadelphia and Florida.
Grown children Brian and Laura live on either side of the Delaware River. With respective spouses Kate and Jim and their five total kids, they’re involved in everything from local leadership to faith-based service.
The jury’s still out on the grandkids, but so far they’re making us all pretty proud!
In 2005, we began the Zidek Family Foundation in efforts to unify our philanthropic efforts and support worthy organizations in Florida and the greater Philadelphia region. Fifteen years later, we’ve had the privilege of supplying grants to more than 90 causes and organizations with honorable visions and needs.
One Family. Several Stories.
From business to education, our professional backgrounds vary – but we share a vision for supporting people and organizations whose efforts speak to our hearts.
Brian Zidek
Brian is a leader in his community and his business ventures. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College and his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University School of Law. He is President of Excess Reinsurance Underwriters, Inc. and Argo Capital Group, Ltd., and is currently serving as the Chairman of County Council in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Brian enjoys competing in triathlons, surfing, and skiing. He lives in Villanova, Pennsylvania with his wife and three children.
Mary Zidek
Born and raised in Chicago, Mary graduated from Beloit College with a Bachelor of Arts in Languages and a teaching certificate. She worked in the insurance industry in Chicago where she met her husband Milo more than 55 years ago. Today Mary splits her time between homes in Florida and New Jersey and enjoys spending time with her children and five grandchildren.
Milo Zidek
Born and raised in Chicago, Milo graduated from the University of Florida before serving in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. A serial entrepreneur, Milo founded numerous insurance enterprises both domestically and internationally. Milo's legacy of generosity and support lives on through the works of the Zidek Family Foundation.
Laura Poliero
After graduating from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1989, Laura worked for eleven years as an elementary school teacher. Since leaving the teaching profession, she has volunteered and served on the board of trustees for Interfaith Caregivers of Haddonfield and as a deacon and an elder on the Board of Session at First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield, where she has taught Sunday School for the past ten years. Laura enjoys reading, going to the theater, and traveling. She lives in Haddonfield, New Jersey, with her husband of 20 years, James, and their two daughters.
Kate Zidek
Kate is a finance professional with a passion for philanthropy. She has served on the Endowment Board of Methodist Services since 2011 and recently joined the board of the Foundation for Delaware County. Kate completed her tenure with the School in Rose Valley in 2019. Currently, she works as an Investment Officer for Argo Capital Group with prior experience in investment banking, institutional investment management, and institutional equity sales. She is a resident of Delaware County where she graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Kate feels there is a need inside of everyone to create change. She fulfills that need by actively supporting nonprofits, civic engagement, and her children’s school community.
James J. Poliero
James is a licensed real estate broker and President of Poliero Property Group, LLC, a manager of a private portfolio of income-producing real estate. He began his career with Commerce Bank (now TD Bank) and an affiliated real estate developer. James serves as an advisory board member of 1st Colonial Bancorp, board member of CV6 Therapeutics, board president of Kings Court Condominium Association, and director on the board of trustees for the Rotary Club of Haddonfield. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Drexel University.
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