Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Presents 2009 William Penn Award to Charlie Pizzi

Charlie Pizzi, President and CEO of Tasty Baking Company, will receive the 2009 William Penn Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Greater Philadelphia business executive, at the William Penn Award Gala.

The Gala, sponsored by Wachovia and co-sponsored by Stradley Ronon LLP, will be held Friday, April 16, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, located in Center City.

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. Since joining Tasty Baking Company, 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.

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.

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.

View more information on the William Penn Award here or register, or call 215-790-3603 with questions.