Charlie Pizzi to Receive 2009 William Penn Award

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce that business leader Charlie Pizzi will receive the 2009 William Penn Award and will be honored at a gala on April 16, 2010 at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue. The event is sponsored by Wachovia and co-sponsored by Stradley Ronon LLP.

The William Penn Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a business executive in Greater Philadelphia. Awarded annually since 1949, recipients are chosen for their outstanding contributions toward the betterment of the region, their professional accomplishments, and their commitment to charity as well as to the community. The selection committee is comprised of past honorees.

Mr. Pizzi is a longstanding advocate for the Greater Philadelphia region and a prominent leader within the business community. He has served since 2002 as President and CEO of Tasty Baking Company. Through his many leadership roles, he advocates for a positive and attractive business climate for his hometown.

"I am honored to join the esteemed list of recipients of the William Penn Award and be recognized by the leaders of the Greater Philadelphia business community,” said Mr. Pizzi. “I have been fortunate to grow up in this city and to build my career here. I look forward to continue working with our region’s talented leaders to make Greater Philadelphia even stronger and more vibrant."

Since joining Tasty Baking Company in October 2002, Mr. Pizzi and his Board of Directors have led the successful transformation of the company. Mr. Pizzi's vision has culminated in a reenergized brand, expanded distribution, a new technology platform and a new bakery at the Navy Yard. The construction of the new facility and retention of manufacturing jobs in the city is a milestone for both the Company and the City.

Prior to assuming his current role at Tasty Baking Company, Mr. Pizzi served as President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. During his tenure, which lasted 13 years (1989-2002), Mr. Pizzi improved Chamber operations by recruiting a superior staff, expanding the number and quality of Chamber programs and events, and redirecting the Chamber’s focus to small businesses. He oversaw the creation of the prestigious Paradigm Award, an annual award presented to an outstanding businesswoman who serves as a role model for success. He also created the President’s Council, a committee to explore cooperative opportunities among more than 92 schools in the region and create linkages and new relationships between the colleges and regional business leaders.

Mr. Pizzi is credited with creating the Chamber’s successful tagline, "Get Involved. Get Results." In 2002, he also led the successful "Briefcase Brigade" march up Broad Street to City Hall, a protest by the Chamber and regional business leaders of the proposed end to wage-tax cuts.

Before his appointment to the Chamber, Mr. Pizzi served as Commerce Director for the City of Philadelphia. During this time, he implemented the City’s economic development strategies and served as Chairman of the Mayor’s Development Cabinet. He worked to retain CIGNA Corporation’s Philadelphia-based headquarters, helped lead the expansion efforts of the Philadelphia International Airport and the development efforts of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and led the effort to transfer the Philadelphia Port Corporation to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Rob Wonderling, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, said the region has benefitted from the commitment and business acumen of Mr. Pizzi.

"Charlie Pizzi has been a longstanding influential leader in the Greater Philadelphia business environment," said Mr. Wonderling. "He serves as a role model to us as an executive who is deeply invested in Greater Philadelphia and who dedicates his time to improving the corporate and civic communities of this region."

Mr. Pizzi’s commitment to Greater Philadelphia includes serving on many area corporate and nonprofit boards and councils. He is the incoming Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and is the Chairman of Allegheny West Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Independence Blue Cross, Drexel University and the Board of Trustees for Brandywine Realty Trust.

Mr. Pizzi graduated from La Salle University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and later from the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree. After graduating, he worked for Triangle Publications, relocating to Atlanta, GA., and then to New Orleans, LA., before returning to his home town.

He and his wife Elise live in Philadelphia and have four adult sons.

Mr. Pizzi will be honored at the William Penn Award Gala on Friday, April 16, 2010 at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue. The gala is sponsored by Wachovia and co-sponsored by Stradley Ronon LLP.

Past William Penn Award recipients include cable TV pioneer and philanthropist H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest; Constantine Papadakis, Ph.D., President, Drexel University; William R. Sasso, Esq., Chairman of Stradley Ronon LLP; Nick DeBenedictis, Chairman and President of Aqua America Inc.; Rev. Leon Sullivan, Founder of OIC; G. Fred DiBona, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Independence Blue Cross; Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg; Ronald Rubin, President, Pennsylvania Realty Investment Trust; Judith Rodin, former President, University of Pennsylvania; and Ed Snider, Chairman of Comcast-Spectacor.

For more information on the William Penn dinner, please e-mail here.