William Penn Award Gala

Recently, William R. Sasso, Esq., Chairman of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP, received the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s 2006 William Penn Award and was honored at a gala event sponsored by Wachovia.

The Chamber paid tribute to Mr. Sasso and let the good times roll at this 1950s rock and roll themed celebration held at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue.  Over 900 people attended the event, which was co-chaired by Joseph A. Frick, President and CEO, Independence Blue Cross; Judith Spires, President, Acme Markets; and Stephen D. Steinour, CEO and President, Citizens Financial Group.

In the days before the gala, the PECO crown of lights displayed a message in honor of the William Penn Award and this year's honoree.

The William Penn Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a businessperson 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. Sasso has been chairman since 1994 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, he 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.

Mark S. Schweiker, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, said 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 businesswoman 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.

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.

For more information on the William Penn Gala, visit our Web site greaterphilachamber.com or contact Lyn Tate at (215) 790-3623 or ltate@greaterphilachamber.com.