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Calling it quits | Business Weekly Newsletter

Two big names in Philadelphia’s business community are leaving, and other news.

Rob Wonderling, president & CEO of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, speaks during the Annual Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Luncheon at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
Rob Wonderling, president & CEO of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, speaks during the Annual Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Luncheon at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer

Two big names in Philadelphia’s business community are leaving. Rob Wonderling, who heads the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, won’t see another three-year term. And Michael Rashid, the director of the city’s Commerce Department, resigned after reports of anti-Semitic remarks and staff abuse.

The nature of their departures are obviously very different. But taken together, the exits mean Philly’s biggest business group and commerce agency are looking for new leaders at a crucial moment, with the economy still recovering from the pandemic. If you know who might replace them, email me back here.

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And please send us your questions, tips, and feedback. Thanks for reading.

— Christian Hetrick (@_Hetrick, businessweekly@inquirer.com)

The head of Philly’s biggest business group is calling it quits with political tensions high

Wonderling, who has led the Philly chamber since 2009, says it’s time for new leadership. He will step down next summer when his current contract expires.

Tensions rose in recent years between businesses and City Council, now influenced by a progressive wing of elected members and the Kenney administration. Business leaders say they rarely get their way these days in City Hall. At one point, Wonderling complained that “Philadelphia continues its record of passing legislation that hurts job growth.”

He’s leaving the posts of president and CEO as Philadelphia struggles to recover economically from the pandemic. Only 45% of downtown workers have returned to their offices by one estimate.

“The city is in a very fragile economic and fiscal condition,” Wonderling said, adding that he was optimistic that Philadelphia has the potential to be a world-class city.

Our reporter Bob Fernandez has more on Wonderling’s tenure and departure.

What else you need to know ...

  1. Philly’s commerce director has resigned after reports of anti-Semitic remarks and staff abuse

  2. Why Philadelphia’s business community rarely gets its way in City Hall

  3. Philly’s smaller businesses are underperforming those in other big cities

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