Drexel president John Fry tapped chairman of Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce

Drexel University President John Fry has been tapped to head the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.

He’ll replace Exelon utilities executive Denis O’Brien in October.

As chairman of the board, Fry said his role will be to build consensus for the business group’s agenda.

“We would want to develop an agenda that invests in young people, so they could have success later in life,” he said, “And one that really puts creating a competitive business climate for emerging businesses and established businesses as its other major priority, so that Philadelphia, which has so much to offer, can truly compete against the best cities in the country.”

He will also be garnering support for Mayor Jim Kenney’s universal pre-K plan, which is counting on corporations to chip in to cover its $60 million pricetag.

Fry has been a member of the board of directors since 2010 when he became president of Drexel. He came to Philadelphia after serving as president of Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster for eight years. 

The new role will not change Fry’s duties at the university.