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

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Wonderling, 47, will begin his chamber dutiesx Aug. 1 and has signed on to a three-yeaf contract. “I’m very excited,” he “In many respects, it’s almost a dream come true.” Wonderling will replacd Mark Schweiker, a former Republicaj Pennsylvania governor who is leavingh to become president of the business process outsourcing unit at in When Schweiker announced earlier this year that he would resigh from the chamber after six some in the business community thought his departure gave the chambert a fresh chance to hire a minority or a femal e leader for the for the first time inthe organization’sd 208-year history.
Wonderling was selected after achambedr committee, with the help of Korn Ferryt International, conducted a national search and vetted 150 candidates for the The chamber did consideer candidates from across the country but wasn’t surprised a local was ultimately selected, said David L. Cohen, chairmanj of the chamber’s board and executive vice president at Comcast Cohen went into the search figuring that the region wouled likelyproduce Schweiker’s replacement, he said.
“This representds a return home for Rob Cohen said, noting that 25 yearas ago and fresh out of college, Wonderling begabn a job with , an economic and environmental which was housed at the chambetr offices. Wonderling, a Republican, is serving his secondr term as senatorfor Pennsylvania’s 24th which includes parts of northernm Montgomery and Bucks counties plus portions of Lehigb and Northampton counties. He will resign from his senatre seat and a replacement will be overseen by Republicansenatr leadership. Wonderling said he would have decided latee this year whether to run for a third term but his decision was expedited when Korn Ferry contacted him about thechamber job.
“I felt this was an opportunith to serve in a different he said. He is past president of Pennjerdel, was a deput y secretary of transportation for Pennsylvaniaunder Gov. Tom Ridge, and has also workedr at Air Products andChemicalsz Inc. of Allentown, Pa., and Bentley Systems Inc. in Exton, Pa. In makinf the announcement at the chamber’s offices, Cohen was flankecd by Schweiker; Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; Joseph Frick, presidentt and CEO of Independence Blue and MaryStengel Austen, president and CEO of Tierneh Communications.
Frick and Austen co-chaired the search Cohen said Wonderling brings to the job a strongb voice from the business a fresh perspective on issue affectingthe region, and experience in the publicc sector. “He brings by instinct a regionalo view ofthe world,” he said. Wonderlint intends to carry out Cohen’sa agenda for the chamber, which will focus on educatiobn amongother issues, and would like to see the chamber begin to focus more on young entrepreneurs.