He's baaaccckkk... David. L. Cohen is about to assume his biggest civic role since leaving City Hall, exactly ten years ago, as then-Mayor Rendell's chief of staff and most trusted aide.
A year from now, Cohen will officially take over as chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Though the job doesn't start for some time, the announcement came this morning, before a 1,000-plus crowd at the chamber's annual breakfast meeting at the Convention Center.
Current chairman Joe Frick hailed Cohen's "unparalleled record of achievement and service," and noted the demands on Cohen's time, given his paying job as exective vice president of the Comcast Corp.
Frick also noted the chamber's first priority: "Let's build a strong partnership with the next mayor." He noted the enthusiasm among chamber members for doing so, and alluded to their "pent-up energy" as well.
Cohen's ascension is interesting in its timing for Democratic mayoral nominee Michael Nutter, already considered a business-friendly mayor.
It's been a long time - eight years - since City Hall and business leaders have realized the benefits of a solid working relationship between the two. Consider that Frick this morning, in recognizing the importance of Convention Center's impending expansion, gave thanks to "the governor, labor leadres and many of you," but made no mention of Mayor Street.
Could this yield a reinvigorated business community to help lead Philadelphia forward - for real this time?
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