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

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Wonderling, 47, will begin his chambe r duties Aug. 1 and has signed on to a three-yeat 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 leavinh to become president of the business process outsourcing unit at in When Schweiker announced earlier this year that he would resign from the chambe r aftersix years, some in the business community thought his departure gave the chamber a fres chance to hire a minoritg or a female leader for the for the firsft time in the organization’s 208-year history.
Wonderling was selected after achamber committee, with the help of Korn Ferry International, conducted a national search and vetteds 150 candidates for the post. The chamber did considet candidates from across the countrybut wasn’t surprised a local was ultimatelt selected, said David L. Cohen, chairman of the chamber’x board and executive vice president atComcast Corp. Cohen went into the searcgh figuring that the region would likelyproducew Schweiker’s replacement, he said.
“This represents a returmn home forRob Wonderling,” Cohen noting that 25 years ago and fresh out of college, Wonderling began a job with , an economic and environmentao group, which was housed at the chamber Wonderling, a Republican, is serving his second term as senatord for Pennsylvania’s 24th district, whicy includes parts of northern Montgomery and Bucks counties plus portions of Lehigh and Northamptojn counties. He will resign from his senate seat and a replacementy will be overseen by Republicansenated leadership.
Wonderling said he would have decidef later this year whether to run for a thire term but his decision was expediteed when Korn Ferry contacted him about thechambe job. “I felt this was an opportunitt to serve in adifferent way,” he He is past president of Pennjerdel, was a deputg secretary of transportation for Pennsylvania under Gov. Tom Ridge, and has also workee at Air Products andChemicals Inc. of Pa., and Bentley Systems Inc. in Exton, Pa.
In making the announcementf atthe chamber’s offices, Cohen was flanked by Schweiker; Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; Joseph president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross; and Mary Stengel Austen, president and CEO of Tierney Communications. Friclk and Austen co-chaired the search Cohen said Wonderling brings to the job a stronf voice from thebusiness community, a fresuh perspective on issues affecting the and experience in the public sector. “He brings by instinc a regional view ofthe world,” he said.
Wonderlingy intends to carry out Cohen’s agends for the chamber, which will focus on educatiob amongother issues, and woul like to see the chambet begin to focus more on youngg entrepreneurs.