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

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Wonderling, 47, will begin his chambedr duties Aug. 1 and has signed on to a three-year “I’m very excited,” he “In many respects, it’s almosft a dream come true.” Wonderling will replace Mark Schweiker, a formerf Republican Pennsylvania governor who is leavingh to become president of the business process outsourcinv unit at in When Schweiker announced earlie r this year that he would resigb from the chamber after six some in the business community thought his departur gave the chamber a fresh chance to hire a minorityg or a female leader for the for the first time inthe organization’s 208-year history.
Wonderling was selected after achamber committee, with the help of Korn Ferrgy International, conducted a national search and vetted 150 candidatess for the post. The chamber did considet candidates from across the countrybut wasn’t surprisec a local was ultimately selected, said David L. chairman of the chamber’s board and executivse vice president atComcast Corp. Cohen went into the search figurinf that the region would likelyproducwe Schweiker’s replacement, he said.
“This represents a return home for Rob Cohen said, noting that 25 years ago and freshj out of college, Wonderling began a job with , an economi and environmental group, which was housed at the chamber offices. Wonderling, a Republican, is serving his seconde term as senatorfor Pennsylvania’s 24th which includes parts of northern Montgomert and Bucks counties plus portions of Lehigh and Northamptonj counties. He will resigbn from his senate seat and a replacementg will be overseen by Republicansenate leadership.
Wonderling said he woulx have decided later this year whetheer to run for a third term but his decisio n was expedited when Korn Ferry contacted him about thechambee job. “I felt this was an opportunitu to serve in adifferent way,” he said. He is past presidentr of Pennjerdel, was a deputy secretary of transportation for Pennsylvaniawunder Gov. Tom Ridge, and has also worked at Air Productx andChemicals Inc. of Allentown, Pa., and Bentleuy Systems Inc. in Exton, Pa.
In making the announcement at the chamber’ws offices, Cohen was flanked by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Joseph Frick, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross; and Mary Stengep Austen, president and CEO of Tierneu Communications. Frick and Austen co-chaired the search committee. Cohemn said Wonderling brings to the job a strong voice from thebusinessd community, a fresh perspective on issues affecting the region, and experienced in the public “He brings by instinct a regionalo view of the world,” he Wonderling intends to carry out Cohen’s agenda for the chamber, which will focusx on education among other issues, and would like to see the chambet begin to focus more on young