Current News
For Immediate Release

Philadelphia, PA - September 2, 2003 - RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, chief executive officer and president, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP), was recently elected to the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia's Board of Directors. Ms. Rosenthal began her economic development career with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), where she helped launch the Southeast PA Export Consortium (SEPEC), the World Trade Center's predecessor. BFTP/SEP has funded and supported SEPEC for the past 12 years.

"RoseAnn Rosenthal brings with her many years of experience and expertise in economic development, specifically with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Export Consortium, a precursor to the WTCGP. I am confident that her background will help her contribute to the achievement of WTCGP's goals and ultimate success," said Manuel N. Stamatakis, Chairman of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia.

Currently, she is a board member of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association and an Ambassador for the Governor's Team Pennsylvania Foundation. Mrs. Rosenthal has held appointed positions on several national task forces including US Department of Housing and Urban Development, US Economic Development Administration, the National Science Foundation's Advisory Committee for Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program and the review panel for the NSF Partnership for Innovation program.

Mrs. Rosenthal serves on the Advisory Board of Temple University's CIBER Project as well as its College of Liberal Arts Advisory Board; PIDC's Advisory Planning Committee for the Philadelphia Naval Business Center; and the Advisory Board for the Women's Investment Network.

Mrs. Rosenthal has also served on private and community boards including Mothers Work, Inc., Telebase Systems, and the Politz Hebrew Academy. She is a member of the State Science and Technology Institute, the International Economic Development Council, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association, and the Forum of Executive Women.

The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia is a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status. WTCGP is a licensed member of the World Trade Centers Association and evolved from the Export Development Unit of the Delaware River Port Authority. It offers a number of programs such as one-on-one consulting through an extensive network of international trade consultants, market research reports, customized export and import strategies, and educational opportunities through seminars, international trade missions and networking events.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) is dedicated to growing the region through science, technology and entrepreneurship. Now commemorating 20 years of innovation excellence, Ben Franklin provides entrepreneurs and established businesses the capital, talent, and expertise they need to compete. Like its namesake, Ben Franklin invests in, builds upon and delivers solutions that grow communities and create new wealth by supporting today's technological ideas and tomorrow's scientific discovery.