Hankowsky to be next Chamber chairman

"William P. Hankowsky, chairman and CEO of Liberty Property Trust, has been selected to serve as the next chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Hankowsky, 59, will take over from current board chair David L. Cohen, executive vice president of Comcast Corp., at the chamber's annual meeting in October.

"Bill brings an impressive record of private and public-sector experience to his position as a volunteer leader of the Chamber," Rob Wonderling, president and CEO of the chamber, said in a statement.

Hankowsky has led Liberty since 2002. Liberty, which was founded by the late Willard Rouse III, is one of the nation's largest real estate investment trusts.

Before that, Hankowsky held a variety of senior management positions in both the private and public sector, including president of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. (PIDC) for 11 years.

During his time at the PIDC, Hankowsky managed 11 industrial parks, operated 20 loan programs, and coordinated major projects including the building of the new convention center and the city's two sports stadiums, Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park. He also was central to the effort to bring the Norwegian shipbuilder, Kvaerner, to Philadelphia.

"I'm happy to do it and honored that they asked me to do it," Hankowsky said in an interview. "I've worked in the region a long time, 35 years now. I've worked in New Jersey and Philadelphia; I've worked for five mayors; I've worked in both the private and public sectors.

"I think this is an opportunity to apply some of my gray hair or lack of it and try to help Rob and board to keep going forward."