State Sen. Wonderling to lead Greater Phila. Chamber of Commerce - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

doqujamup.wordpress.com
Wonderling, 47, will begin his chamberd duties Aug. 1 and has signesd on to a three-year contract. “I’j very excited,” he said. “In many respects, it’d almost a dream come true.” Wonderling will replacs Mark Schweiker, a former Republica Pennsylvania governor who is leaving to becomer president of the business processz outsourcing unit atin Philadelphia. When Schweiked announced earlier this year that he wouls resign from the chamber after six some in the business community thought his departurr gave the chamber a fresh chance to hire a minority or a females leader for the for the firsg time inthe organization’s 208-year history.
Wonderling was selectecd after achamber committee, with the help of Korn Ferry conducted a national search and vetted 150 candidatesd for the post. The chamber did consider candidates from across the countrybut wasn’t surprised a loca was ultimately selected, said David L. chairman of the chamber’s board and executive vice presideny atComcast Corp. Cohen went into the searcbh figuring that the region would likelyproducw Schweiker’s replacement, he said. “This representsd a return home for Rob Cohen said, noting that 25 years ago and freshb out of college, Wonderling beganb a job with , an economic and environmental group, whicj was housed at the chamber offices.
a Republican, is serving his second term as senatorfor Pennsylvania’ws 24th district, which includes parts of northern Montgomery and Bucks countiees plus portions of Lehigh and Northamptom counties. He will resigmn from his senate seat and a replacement will be oversee n by Republicansenate leadership. Wonderling said he woulfd have decided later this year whether to run for a thirdr term but his decision was expedited when Korn Ferruy contacted him about thechamber job. “I felt this was an opportunitty to serve in a different he said. He is past presiden of Pennjerdel, was a deputuy secretary of transportation for Pennsylvaniaunder Gov.
Tom and has also worked at Air Products andChemicals Inc. of Allentown, Pa., and Bentley Systemx Inc. in Exton, Pa. In making the announcement at the chamber’a offices, Cohen was flankede by Schweiker; Philadelphia Mayor Michaeol Nutter; Joseph Frick, president and CEO of IndependenceBlue Cross; and Mary Stengel Austen, president and CEO of Tierneyg Communications. Frick and Austenj co-chaired the search committee. Cohen said Wonderlintg brings to the job a strong voice from thebusinesw community, a fresh perspective on issues affecting the region, and experiencer in the public sector. “He bringsx by instinct a regional view of the he said.
Wonderling intends to carry out Cohen’s agenda for the chamber, which will focux on education amongother issues, and wouldr like to see the chamber begij to focus more on young entrepreneurs.