The Top of The Tower

Tuesday October 27, 2009

Program

 Understanding the Changing
Business Climate in Our Region

The cover story in the June/July issue of NACD's publication, Directorship Magazine,
ranked the 50 states on their business climate. 
Pennsylvania and New Jersey did not receive favorable marks. 
Pennsylvania ranked 28th for its tax climate,
29th for its cost of living, 32nd for its cost of labor, 27th for its education, 35th for its overall economy,
and 50th for its litigation climate.
  New Jersey ranked 50th for its tax climate, 48th for its cost of living, 47th for its cost of labor,
5th for its education, 9th for its overall economy, and 44th for its litigation climate.
Despite these results, Pennsylvania and New Jersey ranked 6th and 7th, respectively,
in the number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state
and 7th and 5th, respectively, for their overall quality of life. 
Our speakers will bring their extensive and varied experiences in the public
and private sectors to a discussion
of the reasons for these conditions and the prospects for improvements in the years ahead.

Speakers

David Thornburgh, Executive Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government

David Thornburgh was named Executive Director of the Fels Institute of Government in August 2008.  Prior to his appointment he served as a Senior Advisor to the Econsult Corporation.  He has also served as CEO of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship (ARS), Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Economy League (PEL), Director of the Wharton Small Business Development Center, and Director of Civic Affairs at the CIGNA Corporation in Philadelphia.  Mr. Thornburgh has received a number of awards for his professional and civic leadership and is a frequent commentator on public policy and regional development issues.  He holds a BA in Political Science from Haverford College and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. 

 Rob Wonderling, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce

Rob Wonderling assumed the position of President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in August 2009.  He also serves as Chairman of the CEO Council for Growth, the governing board of the Chamber’s economic development marketing affiliate, Select Greater Philadelphia, whose vision is to position the region as one of the nation’s top business locations.  Prior to joining the Chamber, Mr. Wonderling served for six years in the Pennsylvania State Senate, where he was Chairman of the Transportation Committee.  Previously, Mr. Wonderling worked for Bentley Systems, Inc. and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and served as Deputy Secretary of Transportation in the Ridge administration.  Mr. Wonderling received a BA from Alleghany College in 1984 and a Master’s Degree in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991.

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 Agenda

7:30 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 - 9:00 AM Program and Q&A

Place

"Top of the Tower"
Bell Atlantic Tower
50th Floor
1717 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.topofthetower.com

RSVP

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or
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Payment is by credit card at time of registration
or
Mail payment by check to:

NACD - Philadephia Chapter
Attention: Elisabeth Zundel
400 Berwyn Park - 3rd Floor
899 Cassatt Road
Berwyn, PA  19312-1183
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Information at 610-640-5454
or
ezundel@comcast.net
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Members:  $35
Non-Members:  $50