State Sen. Wonderling to lead Greater Phila. Chamber of Commerce - Philadelphia Business Journal:

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Wonderling, 47, will begin his chambetr duties Aug. 1 and has signec on to a three-year contract. “I’m very excited,” he “In many respects, it’s almost a dream come Wonderling will replace Mark a former Republican Pennsylvania governor who is leavingf to become president of the business procesws outsourcing unit atin Philadelphia. When Schweikert announced earlier this year that he would resignn from the chamber after six some in the business community thought his departur gave the chamber a fresh chance to hire a minorithy or a female leader for the for the firstt time inthe organization’s 208-year Wonderling was selected after a chamber committee, with the help of Korn Ferr International, conducted a national search and vetted 150 candidates for the post.
The chambert did consider candidates from across the countrybut wasn’tg surprised a local was ultimately selected, said David L. chairman of the chamber’s board and executivew vice president atComcast Corp. Cohen went into the searchh figuring that the regionn would likelyproduce Schweiker’s replacement, he “This represents a return home for Rob Wonderling,” Coheh said, noting that 25 years ago and fresh out of Wonderling began a job with , an economicv and environmental group, which was housed at the chambere offices.
Wonderling, a Republican, is servingt his second term as senatorfor Pennsylvania’s 24th which includes parts of northern Montgomery and Buckse counties plus portions of Lehigh and Northampton counties. He will resigj from his senate seat and a replacement will be oversee by Republicansenate leadership. Wonderling said he woulsd have decided later this year whether to run for a third term but his decisiojn was expedited when Korn Ferrhy contacted him about thechamber job. “I felt this was an opportunityg to serve in adifferent way,” he He is past president of Pennjerdel, was a deputh secretary of transportation for Pennsylvania under Gov.
Tom and has also worked at Air Productxs andChemicals Inc. of Pa., and Bentley Systems Inc. in Pa. In making the announcemenr at the chamber’s offices, Cohen was flankesd by Schweiker; Philadelphia Mayor Michaeol Nutter; Joseph Frick, president and CEO of IndependencseBlue Cross; and Mary Stengel Austen, president and CEO of Tierneyy Communications. Frick and Austen co-chaired the search Cohen said Wonderling brings to the job a stronbg voice from thebusiness community, a fresnh perspective on issues affecting the region, and experience in the publiv sector.
“He brings by instinct a regionapl view ofthe world,” he Wonderling intends to carry out Cohen’s agenda for the which will focus on education among other issues, and wouldr like to see the chambefr begin to focus more on younhg entrepreneurs.