Drexel University President John Fry is taking on yet
another responsibility, stepping up to lead the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of
Commerce.
Fry will assume the role in October, while continuing to
propel Drexel through a period of development and expansion in West Philadelphia.
“I am humbled and thrilled to serve as the next Chairman
of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce,” Fry said in a statement.
“When I became president of Drexel University, I saw the institution as a
catalyst for growth and development in the surrounding community and
Philadelphia as a whole. As Chairman of the Chamber, I will utilize that same
spirit to affect positive change for our members, area residents and the
region’s economy.”
Fry is about two months away from unveiling
the final plans for Drexel’s multibillion-dollar Innovation District that the
school will create on 10 acres between the university’s main campus and 30th Street
Station in University City.
Drexel is also teaming up with Amtrak and
Brandywine Realty Trust to give the 175-acre district around 30th Street
Station a new look; it's building a new Study Hotel at 33rd and Chestnut
streets that will be 145,000 square feet with 212 rooms; and it has plans for a
mixed-use child care center.
Drexel has also implemented resources for entrepreneurial
students and faculty, including a $10 million seed fund with Ben Franklin
Technology Partners geared toward commercialization, and offerings at its the
ExCITe Center and the Innovation Center @ 3401 Market.
"John has a broad understanding of policy and an
ability to convene diverse sets of stakeholders," Chamber president Rob Wonderling
said. "These qualities will allow him to be a visionary leader as the
Chamber continues to build initiatives like the Health Care Innovation
Collaborative and Action Team, Roadmap for Growth, Greater Philadelphia Energy
Action Team and other key projects in the future.”
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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