Rob Wonderling

Robert C. Wonderling
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 24th district
In office
January 3, 2003 – July 28, 2009
Preceded by Edwin Holl
Succeeded by Bob Mensch
Constituency Parts of Bucks County, Lehigh County, Montgomery County, Northampton Counties
Personal details
Born (1961-12-22) December 22, 1961
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Kristin
Residence Lower Salford Township
Alma mater Allegheny College, University of Pennsylvania
Profession Corporate officer
Religion Protestant
Signature

Robert C. Wonderling (born December 22, 1961) was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who represented the 24th District from 2003 to 2009. The district he represented includes portions of Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh and Northampton Counties and includes the population centers of Easton, Lansdale, and Emmaus. He resigned his seat on July 28, 2009 to become President and CEO of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (GPCC).[1]

Biography

As GPCC president and CEO,[2] Rob Wonderling leads a business advocacy organization of member companies that promotes growth and economic development in the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region. He also serves as chairman of the CEO Council for Growth,[3] the governing board of Select Greater Philadelphia. He has an impressive record of private-sector executive experience as well as distinguished public service. Previously, Mr. Wonderling worked for Bentley Systems, Inc. and Allentown-based Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. From 2002 to 2009, Mr. Wonderling served in the Pennsylvania State Senate, where he first served as chairman of the Communications and Technology Committee and then as chairman of the Transportation Committee. He also served in the executive branch of state government in the Ridge Administration as Deputy Secretary of Transportation.[2] In recognition of his community involvement, he was awarded the 2011 Service to Humanity Award [4] and was also named "State Public Official of the Year" by Pennsylvania Bio in 2009.[5] He recently served on the Philadelphia School Reform Commission Search Committee for a new Superintendent of Schools [6] and currently serves as the Chair of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Commission on Postsecondary Education.[7]

Career

In the 1990s, Wonderling served as the Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation under Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. After leaving the Ridge Administration, he served as Vice-president of Bentley Systems.

In 2002, Wonderling received the GOP nomination to run for retiring Ed Holl's Senate seat. Behind the scenes, his nomination caused a split in the Republican establishment. Former Reagan Secretary of Transportation Drew Lewis had pushed his son Andy for the seat and the 24th district was shifted northward into the Lehigh Valley in the 2001 redistricting.[8] Andy Lewis decided not to run despite having returned to the Lansdale area the previous year in order to run and, after Wonderling won the nomination, Drew formed a group called "Republicans for Maza" to support the Democratic nominee Jim Maza.[9] Wonderling went on to defeat Maza in the general election with 55% of the vote.[10]

Wonderling successfully defended his seat in 2006 with 56% of the vote over Democrat Dave Wilsey, a Quakertown borough councilman.[11]

Senator Wonderling was Chairman of the Senate Communications & Technology Committee and Vice Chairman of the Game & Fisheries Committee. He also served on the Aging & Youth, Public Health & Welfare and Rules & Executive Nominations Committees.

Wonderling hosted an annual charity event in Montgomery County called "Wonder Wing" which includes a contest for the best wing recipe in the area. Proceeds from his event support Meals on Wheels.

Wonderling resigned from his Senate seat on August 1, 2009 to become President of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.[12] He was succeeded by fellow Republican Bob Mensch.

In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the most influential Republicans in Pennsylvania.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Announces Rob Wonderling to Become Its Next President & CEO". www.greaterphilachamber.com. Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 2009-10-04.
  2. 1 2 http://www.greaterphilachamber.com/about/the-president
  3. ↑ http://www.greaterphilachamber.com/about/affiliates-associates/ceo-council-for-growth-members
  4. ↑ http://www.marchofdimes.org/chapterassets/chapterFiles/news_release_2011_Service_to_Humanity.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20090305006195/en/Pennsylvania-Bio-Honors-Policy-Leadership-Annual-Dinner
  6. ↑ http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/school_files/Philly-superintendent-search-committee-formed.html
  7. ↑ http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pde-acpse/20753/members/1112190
  8. ↑ Neri, Al (May 2004). "Showdown in Norristown". The Insider.
  9. ↑ Neri, Al (October 2002). "State Senate Update". The Insider.
  10. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, Election Returns, 11/5/2002
  11. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, Election Returns, 11/7/2006
  12. ↑ "PENNSYLVANIA SENATOR ROB WONDERLING TO RESIGN FROM SENATE" (Press release). Pennsylvania Senate Republican Caucus. 2009-06-01. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02.
  13. ↑ Roarty, Alex; Sean Coit (January 2010). "Pennsylvania Influencers". Politics Magazine. pp. 44–49. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-02-07.
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by
Edwin Holl		 Member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 24th District
2003–2009 		Succeeded by
Bob Mensch
Business positions
Preceded by
Mark Schweiker		 President and CEO of Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
2009–present 		Incumbent
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