PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Committee of Seventy has named David B. Thornburgh as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors announced Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. Thornburgh assumes the position vacated by Zack Stalberg who retired in July. He will officially join the Committee of Seventy in December 2014.
As CEO, Thornburgh will oversee the operation of the 110-year-old non-profit, non-partisan good government group as it fights for ethical and transparent government, honest public officials, effective use of taxpayer dollars, honest elections and increased access to voting, limits on the influence of money in elections, better informed citizens and more citizen participation in public life.
Thornburgh has served as Executive Director of the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania since 2008. Prior to that he was President and CEO of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship and Executive Director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.
“The Committee of Seventy has progressively transformed itself from being an election watchdog to a bolder, more comprehensive good government group,” says Board Chair Michael Carbone of TD Bank. “Thanks to David’s strong background in public policy and economic development, we are confident that he is the right person to lead Seventy into the future.”
“David checked all of the boxes we were looking for in a CEO,” says Search Committee Chair Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D., MBA, of the University City Science Center. “But above and beyond that, the Committee was struck by his interest and passion for civic engagement and better government as well as his experience improving the economic competitiveness and public sector performance of Philadelphia and the region.”
“In the early 1900’s, Philadelphia entrepreneur and philanthropist Samuel Fels helped found three great civic leadership organizations: The Committee of Seventy, the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia and the Fels Institute of Government,” Thornburgh says. “Having led two of those three, I’m thrilled to complete the triangle by leading the Committee of Seventy, and look forward to engaging with all Philadelphians and the public and private leadership of the city in working for innovative and effective government in Philadelphia.”
The CEO search was conducted by Diversified Search. The Board thanks Ellen Kaplan for her continued dedication and service as interim CEO during the search process.
ABOUT THE COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY
The Committee of Seventy, a non-profit, non-partisan organization, was established in 1904 for the express purpose of combating corruption in Philadelphia. Today, the Committee of Seventy is a non-partisan government watchdog fighting for clean and effective government, fair elections and informed citizens. For more information, see www.seventy.org.
