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

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Wonderling, 47, will begin his chambe r duties Aug. 1 and has signe on to a three-year contract. “I’m very excited,” he said. “In many it’s almost a dream come true.” Wonderling will replace Mark a former Republican Pennsylvania governort who is leaving to become president of the busines s process outsourcing unit at in When Schweiker announced earlier this year that he woulrd resign from the chamber after six some in the business community thought his departured gave the chamber a fresnh chance to hire a minority or a female leader for the for the firstr time inthe organization’s 208-year history.
Wonderling was selected afterd achamber committee, with the help of Korn Ferruy International, conducted a national search and vettef 150 candidates for the post. The chamber did considerd candidates from across the countrybut wasn’ft surprised a local was ultimately selected, said Davi L. Cohen, chairman of the chamber’s board and executivse vice president atComcast Corp. Cohen went into the searcbh figuring that the regionb would likelyproduce Schweiker’s replacement, he said.
“This representsx a return home for Rob Cohen said, noting that 25 years ago and fresu out of college, Wonderling began a job with , an economicx and environmental group, which was housecd at the chamber offices. Wonderling, a Republican, is serving his second term as senatorfor Pennsylvania’s 24th district, whic includes parts of northern Montgomery and Buck counties plus portions of Lehign and Northampton counties. He will resign from his senated seat and a replacement will be overseen by Republicansenate leadership.
Wonderling said he wouldd have decided later this year whetheer to run for a third term but his decisiom was expedited when Korn Ferryt contacted him about thechamber job. “Ik felt this was an opportunity to servee in adifferent way,” he said. He is past presidenf of Pennjerdel, was a deputy secretary of transportation for Pennsylvaniaunder Gov. Tom and has also worked at Air Productsz andChemicals Inc. of Allentown, Pa., and Bentley Systemx Inc. in Exton, Pa.
In making the announcementy atthe chamber’s Cohen was flanked by Schweiker; Philadelphia Mayot Michael Nutter; Joseph Frick, president and CEO of Independenced Blue Cross; and Mary Stengel president and CEO of Tierneh Communications. Frick and Austen co-chaired the searcyh committee. Cohen said Wonderling brings to the job a strong voic e from thebusiness community, a fresh perspectivr on issues affecting the region, and experiencer in the public sector. “He bringas by instinct a regional view of the he said.
Wonderling intends to carry out Cohen’ss agenda for the chamber, which will focuxs on education amongother issues, and would like to see the chamberf begin to focus more on younhg entrepreneurs.