William R. Sasso, Esq., to Receive William Penn Award

On April 20, 2007, William R. Sasso, Esq., Chairman of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP, will receive the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s 2006 William Penn Award and be honored at a gala event sponsored by Wachovia.

The William Penn Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a business person 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.

The William Penn Award Gala will be held at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue.

Since 1994, Mr. Sasso has been chairman of one of the region’s most influential law firms with six offices in the Greater Philadelphia region, Harrisburg, and Washington, D.C. In addition, he is widely recognized for his civic accomplishments. A former chairman of the Chamber’s board of directors, Mr. Sasso currently is a member of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau board and executive committee, and a trustee of his alma mater LaSalle University, among many other commitments.

“Most meaningful to me is that The William Penn Award is given to leaders in the business community, and lawyers are not often thought of as recipients of this award,” said Mr. Sasso. “The fact that I am recognized by the business leaders as one of their peers is very meaningful to me.”

Mark Schweiker, Chamber President & CEO, believes Mr. Sasso is the “consummate ambassador” for the region. “In addition to his considerable legal responsibilities, Bill Sasso consistently makes himself available to advance projects to improve this region. He is a long-time counselor to many in the business community and the non-profit world. As a former Chairman of the Chamber Board and current Executive Committee member, his leadership helps guide the Chamber’s efforts. He truly exemplifies the spirit of the William Penn Award.”

During his 30-plus years of legal experience, Mr. Sasso has broadened his practice areas significantly. He counsels private and public companies and religious and nonprofit organizations in various matters, including general corporate and securities law, mergers and acquisitions, health care, tax and real estate.

Mr. Sasso was recently honored with the American Jewish Committee’s Judge Learned Hand Award, presented each year to a member of the Philadelphia Bar. He was also included in the 2007 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, regarded as a definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States.

He also serves on the Chamber’s Paradigm Award committee, which honors the outstanding business woman of the year. He is a member of the CEO Council for Growth, which oversees the business marketing initiative, Select Greater Philadelphia.

Mr. Sasso has served as chairman, board of trustees of Holy Redeemer Health System; trustee, Leo Niessen, Jr. Charitable Foundation, which benefits health care, inner-city youth and working women in need; and chairman of the board of directors, the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.

Hugh Long, State CEO for Wachovia’s MidAtlantic Banking Group, said, “I have had the pleasure to work with Bill Sasso on a variety of Chamber initiatives and have been greatly impressed with his vision, leadership, and devotion to making this a better region. Bill Sasso certainly demonstrates what every businessperson should aspire to be—a leader who uses his skills to better the community and chart its course for the future. At Wachovia, we are proud to be the 2006 William Penn Award event sponsor in honor of this man.”

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mr. Sasso is a graduate of La Salle University in 1969 and Harvard University Law School in 1972. After graduation, Mr. Sasso noted, he came home.

“I love this city and that’s why I am involved in a number of endeavors that hopefully will enhance its reputation on a nationwide basis,” Mr. Sasso said. “None of these efforts touch directly my practice of law but they relate to making Greater Philadelphia a better place to live, to work and to raise a family.”

Mr. Sasso joins an impressive list of past William Penn Award recipients including Nick DeBenedictis, chairman and president of Aqua America Inc.; Rev. Leon Sullivan, Founder of OIC; Eugene Ormandy, former Director of Philadelphia Orchestra; Willard G. Rouse, III, Chair, Liberty Property Trust; 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.