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Vonderheid
Selected as Chamber President
County Commissioner and Former Chamber VP to Lead Organization
After a nine-month search, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber
of Business and Industry’s board of directors has selected
Luzerne County Commissioner Todd A. Vonderheid to be the
organization’s next president.
Vonderheid, 38, will resign as county commissioner on May
31 and start at the Chamber beginning June 1.
A nationwide search began last fall when former President & CEO
Steve Barrouk resigned after 18 years of service. A field
of over 30 candidates was eventually narrowed to four individuals
and after a round of final interviews and the recommendation
of an outside consulting firm, Vonderheid was offered the
position.
“I look forward to the opportunity to unify and lead
the business, civic and elected leadership in Greater Wilkes-Barre
and throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania toward common goals
and objectives,” Vonderheid said. “The future
of our region is bright as many critical projects are in
the pipeline. As important as those projects are, they are
only a piece of a larger picture that will give us a region
with municipalities that are fundamentally healthy and safe,
where our development is sustainable and well-planned, where
our older and core communities are vibrant, where our quality
natural environment helps to spur growth and where our diverse
and talented workforce is able to enjoy fulfilling career
opportunities.”
From 1995 to 2004, Vonderheid worked in the Chamber’s
Economic Development department, first as a marketing director
and then as vice president. While at the Chamber, Vonderheid
was responsible for creating over 4,400 new jobs and bringing
25 new businesses to the area, including Caremark, Travelocity.com,
and Alexandria Moldings.
Most notably, Vonderheid served as the Executive Director
of “ARENA YES” which led to the development of
the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. This 10,000 seat arena
has frequently been recognized as one of the nation’s
most successful public arenas. As part of the arena project,
Vonderheid played a role in developing 350 acres of strip-mined
land to create Highland Park, the area’s premier retail
hub.
As county commissioner, Vonderheid helped secure approximately
$2.5 million in funding for community redevelopment projects
including the Northampton & Main Theatre complex and
the Barnes & Noble Academic Superstore, both located
in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
A life-long resident of the Greater Wilkes-Barre area, Vonderheid
is a 1991 graduate of Salisbury State University with a degree
in Political Science. He currently resides in Downtown Wilkes-Barre
with his wife Kristen and their daughter Tori.
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