SBM

Small Business Owners: The small business community is vast, diverse and dynamic. It includes 6 million small employers with 43 million employees and nearly 22 million self-employed people, with varying political points of view. But they have at least one critical thing in common: Together, these entrepreneurs and other small business owners create jobs, innovate and grow the economy.

Self-Employed People

Policymakers

John Arensmeyer: Founder & CEO -- John Arensmeyer has used his long experience as a business owner to build Small Business Majority into a nationally recognized small business organization and the leading advocate for critical public policy issues facing America’s entrepreneurs -- particularly healthcare reform, clean energy, access to capital and job creation. The organization is focused on ensuring small businesses’ success as a way to rebuild the economy. John was the founder and CEO of ACI Interactive, an award-winning international e-commerce company. Information Week named ACI's signature product one of the nation's top 100 e-business innovations, and the company was cited by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the top 100 fastest growing private companies in the Bay Area. Earlier, John was the chief operating officer of a pioneering multimedia business and an attorney in New York. John is a frequent speaker on small business policy issues and a regular guest on TV and radio, including PBS NewsHour, Fox News, Bloomberg TV, NPR's Marketplace, MSNBC's Your Business, MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews and the CBS Evening News. In 2009 he served on a panel at the White House summit on healthcare reform. He testifies regularly before congressional committees, and has briefed congressional leadership on the small business perspective on healthcare reform, clean energy policies, job creation and small business lending. He also sits on the Association for Enterprise Opportunity's Economic Impact Council.

Terry Gardiner: Vice President, Policy & Strategy -- Terry Gardiner directs Small Business Majority's policy development and works on long-term strategic planning, where he brings to bear his decades of business ownership and job creation experience. He is particularly focused on policies that will ensure the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act, including the establishment of the 50 state small business healthcare exchanges. He also plays a key role in policies that promote a vibrant clean energy economy, access to capital and small business economic development. Originally a commercial fisherman, Terry founded and spent 22 years as the CEO of Silver Lining Seafoods, later NorQuest Seafoods. He grew the company to over $100 million in sales, with 1,000 employees and markets in 22 countries. After the sale of NorQuest in 2004, he turned to public policy work, focusing on healthcare reform. Terry is a former Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, in which he served for 10 years and authored a host of successful groundbreaking legislation. He is a member of the National Co-Op Advisory Board and has testified at congressional committee hearings.

Kathy Berry: Operations Director -- Kathy Berry directs Small Business Majority’s administrative, accounting and human resources operations, while also working on selected projects. She has 30 years of business management experience, including more than 10 years in small entrepreneurial environments, having helped grow three small businesses in the arenas of healthcare, interactive technology and online education. She also has held senior positions with companies and organizations focused on technology, law and housing. Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Kathy served as a Director at iMind Education Systems and as Director of Operations for ACI Interactive, where she oversaw administration, human resources and accounting. Most recently, she was Human Resources Manager for Freed & Associates, a boutique healthcare consulting firm.

Rhett Buttle: National Outreach & Government Affairs Director -- Rhett Buttle directs Small Business Majority’s Washington, DC operations, acting as the primary liaison with the White House, Congress and national partners. He also directs the organization's growing small business outreach efforts, which include fostering strong relationships with business and other organizations across the country and building an active network of small business owners. Before joining Small Business Majority, Rhett served in the Office of the President at George Washington University. Prior to that, he worked on President Obama’s 2008 campaign, and in the Office of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, where he was part of California’s healthcare reform team.

David Chase: California Outreach Director -- David Chase directs Small Business Majority's Sacramento office, focusing on relationships with small business organizations and owners across California and working closely with legislators and other policymakers in the state. Previously, he served for more than four years in the office of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, where he built coalitions with business and other stakeholder groups to advance the Governor's agenda. David was part of the team responsible for building the coalition behind Governor Schwarzenegger's 2007 comprehensive healthcare reform proposal.

Erin Musgrave: Communications Director -- Erin Musgrave directs Small Business Majority's communications functions, including media relations, content and small business owner stories. An award-winning journalist, her experience in the newspaper industry spans both editorial and advertising. She worked as a reporter, editor and advertising executive for a newspaper group in California before launching a weekly newspaper and serving as publisher and editor-in-chief. She then transitioned into public relations, where she managed marcom for a green business in Santa Cruz, CA, while providing PR and marketing support to small businesses on a consulting basis.

Allison Abney: Media Relations Manager -- Allison Abney manages media relations for Small Business Majority. She works with reporters and editors, generates press coverage and is responsible for developing and distributing press releases and statements to the media. She joined Small Business Majority after working in communications and press relations at the Council of the District of Columbia and on Capitol Hill. She also worked as a legislative assistant handling subjects ranging from healthcare to women's rights and telecommunications.

Conan Knoll: Research & Development Manager -- Conan Knoll manages opinion research and development for Small Business Majority. He also develops major reports and policy documents. Previously, he was a news editor and reporter at several California Central Coast newspapers. In his 12 years as a journalist, Conan covered city, county and state governments, coordinated news coverage and oversaw a staff of award-winning reporters. He has won awards for investigative reporting, breaking news coverage and editorial writing, and has led newsrooms that won awards for general excellence in journalism.

Erica Dowell: Southern Outreach Manager -- Erica Dowell manages outreach to southern states through listening tours, webinars and panel discussions centered around the healthcare law, clean energy and other business issues. Prior to taking on this role, she grew and maintained Small Business Majority’s small business owner network by fostering relationships with entrepreneurs and small business groups nationwide. Erica focuses her outreach efforts in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North/South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington, DC. Before joining the team, Erica worked for U.S. Senator Mark Warner where she helped build a network of local elected officials and community leaders. During the 2010 election, she was a field organizer for Congressman Rick Boucher in Southwest Virginia and worked in his congressional office during the healthcare debate.

Tim Gaudette: Western Outreach Manager -- Tim Gaudette works from our Denver office to direct Small Business Majority's outreach and development efforts for Colorado, Nevada and other western states. Tim works to build and maintain relationships with small business owners, organizations and foundations. Before joining Small Business Majority, Tim worked at a small business in Denver and his background includes significant finance and investment-related work in the regulatory, research and sales areas in Denver, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Tim also serves as chairman for the all-volunteer board of the Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Huttlinger: Midwest Outreach Manager -- Mary Huttlinger manages Small Business Majority’s outreach and communications efforts from our Cincinnati office, where she works to build relationships with small business owners, organizations and the media. She focuses primarily on outreach and communications efforts in Ohio, Michigan and other mid-western states. Mary is also the owner of a small nature-related business in the Cincinnati metropolitan area -- the Wild Bird Center of Mason -- that she's owned with her husband since 2006. Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Mary spent 20 years working in a variety of positions, including as the Director of Business Information & Economic Development for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, as chief of staff for members of the US House of Representatives, campaign manager for several Ohio congressional races and as a government relations advisor for the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Kevin Keogh: Eastern Outreach Manager -- Kevin Keogh manages outreach efforts to eastern states including New York City and state, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Kevin builds relationships with small business owners and organizations by planning webinars, listening tours and panel discussions centered on the Affordable Care Act's impacts on small businesses. Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Kevin worked as a legislative fellow in the office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Mary Timmel: Midwest Outreach Manager -- Mary Timmel manages Small Business Majority's outreach in Missouri and other mid-western states. Mary builds relationships with small businesses and organizations through listening tours, webinars and panel discussions centered on the Affordable Care Act. Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Mary worked with the Alliance for Climate Protection, building support from individuals and businesses for clean energy legislation. She has also spent years as a healthcare advocate.

Eszter Szocska: IT Manager -- Eszter Szocska manages Small Business Majority's web communications, small business database and project IT functions. Previously, she worked as an executive assistant and website administrator at Green-Wifi, a small business specializing in the development of solar-powered Wi-Fi grid networks for schools in the developing world. Previously, Eszter spent nine years in Tokyo, Japan, where she cofounded FCC International, a small web services company.

Emma Hollister: Network Coordinator -- Emma Hollister manages Small Business Majority’s national network of small business owners. She establishes and fosters relationships with small business owners and organizations across the country. Prior to joining the team, Emma served as a fellow with Kirsten Gillibrand’s senatorial re-election campaign in New York. She has a background in communications, having worked in the press departments of the U.S. Department of State in Brussels, Belgium and the offices of several members of Congress. Her family runs and owns a small business.

Carly Imhof: Writer/Researcher -- Carly Imhof is a writer and researcher for Small Business Majority. Carly helps develop testimony, reports, media materials and manages the Health Coverage Guide. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from California Polytechnic State University, she moved to the Bay Area to pursue a writing career. Carly began her work with Small Business Majority as an intern researching healthcare policy for development of the California Health Coverage Guide. After working on the website and on other media-related projects, she was hired as a full-time writer.

Sarah Newmarker: Writer -- Sarah Newmarker is a writer who works on grant development for Small Business Majority. She writes grants and researches new funding opportunities. Before joining the team, Sarah worked as an editor for several print and online publications and was a copywriter and marketing consultant for a San Francisco-based philanthropic organization. Sarah also lived in Paris and Provence, France for two years, where she studied the language and worked as a freelance writer and editor.

Ben Geyerhahn: Director, Special Projects -- Ben Geyerhahn manages Small Business Majority’s New York office, while also managing special projects in healthcare, clean energy, access to capital and small business workforce management. Ben co-authored the Small Business Majority study “The Impact of Healthcare Reform on New York’s Small Businesses,” and he recently accepted an invitation to serve as a member of the New York City/Metro regional advisory committee for the New York Health Benefit Exchange. He worked with Criterion Ventures on Healthcare Uncovered, a project that tracked the cash market for health insurance services, and has advised social venture capitalists on the purchase of companies that identify and deliver public benefits, such as SCHIP and food stamps. Most recently, he worked with New York State elected officials on the pricing and delivery of Family Health Plus, a state-designed health insurance plan, and with a nonprofit organization on the design of a state healthcare exchange. Ben is also the managing principal with Hudson TG, a strategic political and policy consulting firm.

Small Business Majority Board of Directors: Our board of directors consists of seasoned business professionals whose experiences inform the direction of Small Business Majority. Each member has cultivated a host of successful business ventures that has equipped him or her with the knowledge and expertise to help guide the organization, provide valuable insight and advise us on our most important decisions.

Celia Canfield: Member of the SBM Board of Directors -- Celia Canfield is a long-time small business owner who recently launched a company called Green Energy Agents. Prior to that, she built a successful custom content creation agency as a co-founder of Tendo Communications, now a 17-employee company. Earlier she held executive positions in high tech publishing at some of the industry's leading publishers and has more than 30 years of print and web publishing experience. Celia has developed communication programs for some of the world’s largest brands. As a consultant in clean energy and sustainability, she has worked with West Coast Green, Sustainable Life Media and several other media properties and solution providers. Celia is a charter member of Women’s Energy Efficiency Network (WEEnet), and is a member of Efficiency First.

Kenneth Henderson, Esq.: Member of the SBM Board of Directors -- Kenneth Henderson is a partner at a global law firm, Bryan Cave LLP, where he represents large, medium and small businesses. He provides day-to-day business law advice to public and private firms in the U.S. and abroad. Ken’s clients come from industries including fund management, family office structures, financial services, technology and customer services. His corporate and securities transactional experience is focused on mergers and acquisitions, public and private financings and domestic and international joint ventures. Ken is also active in community and pro bono matters. He organized the firm’s mentor relationship with Thomas Jefferson High School in East New York, Brooklyn. He is past chairman of and counsel to the Board of Directors of PCI-Media Impact, a New York-based nonprofit with a presence in developing countries throughout the world.

Kip Howard: Member of the SBM Board of Directors -- Kip Howard has spent the past 35 years founding and running a variety of highly successful small businesses, most recently Navis LLC, an international software and professional services company. Having graduated from Stanford with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, his first company was a general contracting operation in San Francisco specializing in high-end Victorian restoration—a small business he grew to over 25 employees. Next, Kip co-founded a small-scale real estate development business, and then started a publishing company. In his most recent venture, Kip joined Navis, a small startup company, as co-CEO. Kip helped grow the firm from seven employees to over 300 worldwide. Navis was sold to Zebra Technologies in 2007 and remains the dominant player in its market, running over half of the world’s major marine container terminals. Kip was a co-founder of Small Business Majority.

Renn Vara: Member of the SBM Board of Directors -- Renn Vara is the co-founder and president of SNP Communications, Inc., a 20-year-old executive communications firm with 30 employees. The company serves Fortune 500 business leaders in high tech, financial and health services from offices in San Francisco and New York. They are currently working toward opening a Singapore office. While Renn has deep roots in Silicon Valley, he also spends a significant amount of time working with multinational companies in India, China, Singapore and Australia. Prior to his current enterprise, Renn spent more than a decade in broadcasting. Over that duration, he developed a reputation for implementing innovative corporate media solutions. Renn earned his MBA at the University of San Francisco School of Business, where he is a now a lecturer. Renn was a co-founder of Small Business Majority.

Small Business Network Council: Our small business network council consists of small business owners from various industries across the nation. Council members volunteer their time and entrepreneurial expertise at board meetings, public events and in the media to help Small Business Majority identify and address the biggest issues facing small businesses today. Our current council members include Eric Blinderman, Betsy Burton, Mike Brey, Jamal Lee, Ron Nelsen, Liz Parker, Mike Roach, Walt Rowen, Christine Chin Ryan, Jonathan Tobias and Ken Weinstein.

Eric Blinderman: Small Business Network Council Member -- Mas (farmhouse) / Mas (la grillade), New York, New York -- Eric Blinderman co-founded Mas (farmhouse) after a friend approached him with the idea of opening a restaurant in 2001. He'd been working toward a legal career and had no restaurant experience. However, he did have a few successful business endeavors under his belt from early on, and decided to try his hand at being a restaurateur. After facing several obstacles to get his New American eatery off the ground, the doors to Mas (farmhouse) in Greenwich Village opened in March 2004. It was a hit, leading Eric and his partner to open a second location, Mas (la grillade) , in October 2011. In total, they employ 65 people.

Betsy Burton: Small Business Network Council Member -- The King’s English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, Utah -- Betsy Burton founded The King's English Bookshop in 1977. Since then, it has grown into a well-established small business and the city’s preeminent bookstore, situated in a Salt Lake neighborhood known for great shops and restaurants. Betsy has 22 employees and about half of them work part time. She is a board member of the American Booksellers Association and is active in a number of other small business organizations, as well. Betsy began her work with Small Business Majority in 2009 on a Utah press conference, where she gave valuable entrepreneurial insight on opinion research we had just released.

Mike Brey: Small Business Network Council Member -- Hobby Works, Laurel, Maryland -- In 1992, after working for large retailers throughout college, small business owner Mike Brey knew he understood the ins and outs of professionalizing the retail workforce. Mike believes a successful retail business takes employees who know the product, are happy with their job and provide excellent customer service. This combination proved to be a recipe for success. Since his small business Hobby Works opened in 1992, it has expanded to five locations throughout Maryland and Virginia, with 48 employees total.

Jamal Lee: Small Business Network Council Member -- Breasia Studios, Laurel, Maryland -- Jamal Lee started his career by working lighting on various movie sets and concerts, eventually becoming the audio producer for the Washington Nationals. He has also worked the Technical Emmys featuring Oprah. In 2005, Jamal's strong entrepreneurial spirit led him to create his own recording and production studio. He knew the 9 to 5 life wasn’t for him, and after getting his feet wet in sound production, Jamal set up Breasia Studios in his mother’s Baltimore, Maryland basement. Despite humble beginnings, the studio grew quickly. It wasn’t long before Jamal moved to a space in Laurel that could accommodate new equipment and added employees -- who were becoming a necessary part of his business. With a growing number of clients based in Washington, D.C., Breasia Studios continues to flourish.

Ron Nelsen: Small Business Network Council Member -- Pioneer Overhead Door, Las Vegas, Nevada -- A small business owner residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ron Nelsen took full ownership of his family’s small company, Pioneer Overhead Door, in 1998. He employs five workers full time. Ron began his career in the family business at their Nebraska branch, which opened in the mid 1960s. Since the Las Vegas Valley location opened in 1978, Pioneer Overhead Door has been well known for its commitment to running an honest business, and offering quality garage doors and accessories.

Liz Parker: Small Business Network Council Member -- Tulsa Rib Company, Orange, California -- In 1981, Liz and her husband Steve opened the doors to Orange, California’s freshest rib joint and catering service -- Tulsa Rib Company. Having been in business for over 30 years now, the restaurant is a go-to spot for locals and tourists alike who are in need of a rib fix. They also cater Disneyland events frequently: Liz and her employees have served crowds numbering greater than 8,000. To keep up with constant demand, the business has grown since 1981 to include 15 full time employees.

Mike Roach: Small Business Network Council Member -- Paloma Clothing, Portland, Oregon -- Mike Roach is a seasoned entrepreneur who has co-owned Paloma Clothing in Portland, Oregon since 1975. The 1,500-square-foot retail store employs nine workers and sells a wide variety of women's apparel. To date, it has served approximately 24,000 customers. In addition to co-owing his business, Mike has been president of the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association for 20 years and sits on the board of the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations.

Mike Roach: Small Business Network Council Member -- Susquehanna Glass Co., Columbia, Pennsylvania -- Small business owner Walt Rowen comes from a long line of talented glass decorators. So long, in fact, that his Columbia, Penn., business has been around since 1910. Since his grandfather opened Susquehanna Glass Co., the staff has grown to 35 full-time employees. Walt and his employees provide personalized decorative products for wholesale and retail customers, including monogrammed barware, logoed wine glasses, wedding gifts and more. As the third-generation owner of Susquehanna, Walt knows what it takes to make a small business thrive.

Christine Chin Ryan: Small Business Network Council Member -- Synergy Consulting, Inc., Portland, Oregon -- Founded in 1988, Synergy Consulting, Inc. has its roots in Portland, Oregon with President Christine Chin Ryan. The Information Technology consulting firm provides comprehensive IT software solutions to Federal, commercial, and not for profit enterprises. Synergy’s featured web-based software application, the eConservation Management System is a planning, tracking and reporting tool for conservation and energy efficiency programs. The employees at Synergy develop customized state-of-the-art tools that help entities manage conservation programs. As a forward-thinking small business owner who wants to help guide our way into a more efficient economy, Christine is building on nearly 20 years of experience in the energy sector to deliver topnotch systems for managing energy conservation

Jonathan Tobias: Small Business Network Council Member -- Michigan Green Cabs, Wixom, Michigan -- In 2008, Jonathan Tobias started Michigan Green Cabs, a fuel-efficient taxi service in Wixom, Michigan. In the early days, Michigan Green Cabs operated just two cars. Now, the business has a fully hybrid fleet of 21 cars achieving an average of 51 miles per gallon and Jonathan never stops making the company more efficient. He has arranged for online booking, installed global vehicle positioning software and more.

Ken Weinstein: Small Business Network Council Member -- Trolley Car Diner, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- Since 1999, Ken Weinstein has owned Trolley Car Diner, an iconic business with two locations in Philadelphia. Between both locations, this restaurateur employs 100 workers. Ken makes every effort to buy local food and keep the diner energy-efficient: their newest location features electric heating, solar light and solar water heating, rain barrels for watering plants, and an innovative steam cooking method that helps minimize company’s use of energy.

Small Business Majority Strategic Partners: Small Business Majority works in partnership with a network of organizations around the country to educate small business owners in various states and help them understand how legislation being debated in the capitol or on a state level would affect them. Our strategic partners are essential to helping us offer small business owners resources and educate them about important issues affecting their companies. Disclaimer: There is no funding agreement between Small Business Majority and our partners, nor do we require an alignment on policy issues as a condition of partnership.

The Alliance for Business Leadership: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Alliance for Business Leadership is a nonpartisan alliance of entrepreneurs, CEO’s, business leaders and investors who are committed to building an economy that supports long-term economic growth and prosperity for all. The Alliance strives to redefine and revitalize the role of business leadership in society by working with its businesses, peers and policymakers to engage the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of business. The Alliance believes that effective government and public policy are critical to creating a sustainable economy in which business can flourish, and works to create lasting solutions to economic, social and environmental challenges.

Association for Enterprise Opportunity: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is a national membership organization and voice of microbusiness development in the United States. For nearly two decades, AEO and its hundreds of member organizations have helped more than two million entrepreneurs support themselves and their families and contribute to their communities through business ownership.

California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) is a statewide association comprised of over 160 lenders, training programs, job creators, agencies and individuals dedicated to furthering Micro Enterprise development in California. CAMEO’s mission is to grow a healthy, vibrant, thriving environment for all entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. It works to build wealth and strong California communities by creating economic opportunity for all entrepreneurs and providing them with small business financing, technical assistance and business management training. CAMEO serves as a voice for all Californians seeking to change their lives and communities through entrepreneurship

Center for Small Business and the Environment: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Center for Small Business and the Environment (CSBE) was founded in 1998 and is a grassroots voluntary network of small business people who share the belief that entrepreneurial creativity and drive can protect the environment while creating jobs and economic growth. Their efforts have identified and promoted profitable and successful small business models for environmental action, and their projects and reports have shown how countless small businesses are. The CSBE believes small businesses are an economic and political powerhouse and its mission is to mobilize them on behalf of environmental protection

Council of Smaller Enterprises: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) is Northeast Ohio’s largest small business support organization. It works to help the region's small businesses grow by providing cost-effective group purchasing programs, advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues and networking and educational resources. COSE has close to 14,000 members and a track record of fighting for the rights of all small business owners. Its areas of focus include healthcare, workers’ compensation and energy, and its mission is to serve, advocate and lead on behalf of the small business community.

Energy Efficiency Business Coalition: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Energy Efficiency Business Coalition (EEBC) was formed in 2007, to provide organized representation for the numerous businesses with operations involved in the manufacturing, distribution, installation and sales and marketing of energy efficiency technologies and services. EEBC is the only organization in the nation whose primary focus is to increase the business potential of the energy efficiency industry at the local level. Their member-funded coalition works with utilities, municipalities and state legislature to promote energy efficiency policies and programs that support the business objectives of the member businesses. EEBC also upholds excellent standards for safety, quality and professionalism and facilitates collaboration between actors in the energy efficiency industry.

Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- For 60 years, the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce (GVCCC) has worked to provide dynamic business and civic leadership in New York City and serve as the leading voice for business in its communities. GVCCC provides innovative and effective programs and services to support businesses throughout Greenwich Village, the East Village, Union Square, Flatiron, Chelsea, NOHO and SOHO. They engage their members in education by keeping them informed on relevant issues and providing them with opportunities for professional development, and institute programs and events that connect their members to other members, customers, suppliers and community leaders. GVCCC also advocates as the voice of business in government and community affairs and markets its communities and member businesses to attract tourism, encourage new investment and support the area’s economic growth.

Manhattan Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce (MCC) is a membership organization comprised of a cross section of member businesses ranging from sole proprietors to large corporations and conglomerates. With 10,000 members and subscribers, we represent the voice of over 100,000 companies in Manhattan and partner with over 300 diverse business organizations in the city. Our members are part of one of the largest constituencies in the country representing approximately 1.6 million US employees and approximately 4.5 million employees globally. Locally, our member companies have over 165,000 employees. And, collectively, our member companies account for over $630 billion dollars in annual revenues. The Business Council of NY State honored MCC with the prestigious 2012 Chamber of the Year Award.

Mile High Business Alliance: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- Mile High Business Alliance (MHBA) is a non-profit organization and group of business owners dedicated to making local business work in Denver. They believe that local businesses are the foundation of a healthy economy and community and make it their mission to build a more connected, resilient and healthy local economy. Their more than 200 members represent a broad swath of industries, employ more than 1,000 Denver area residents and contribute more than $252 million in revenue to Colorado’s economy. MHBA focuses on building the number and prosperity of local businesses, creating awareness of the importance of supporting local business and providing a voice for those businesses.

Minority Business RoundTable: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Minority Business RoundTable (MBRT) is a non-profit corporation whose members serve as the unified voice for minority CEO’s in the United States. MBRT works to advance opportunities for minority entrepreneurs in both the public and private sectors, while working across racial, ethnic and cultural barriers to promote greater economic participation and inform and influence public policy on issues that are critical to the minority business community. A ground-breaking organization, MBRT represents the first formal opportunity for CEOs of large minority-owned firms to collectively address issues of common concern to them as employers, profitable organizations and active corporate citizens.

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the only national not-for-profit advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of LGBT business community. With more than 370 certified businesses and growing, over 130 corporate partners, and 51 local, state, and international affiliate chambers, NGLCC is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the world

New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce (NMGCC) was founded in 2010 with the goal of promoting strong local economies fueled by New Mexico-owned, independent businesses. The NMGCC creates new opportunities for business by advocating on behalf of renewable energy, strengthening local economies and seizing the green business advantage. Together with its local chapters, the NMGCC is part of a coalition of businesses and organizations dedicated to building healthy economies in New Mexico’s diverse communities. NMGCC members believe in investing in people, creating long-term profits and protecting our air, land and water.

Oregon Small Business for Responsible Leadership: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- Oregon Small Business for Responsible Leadership (OSBRL) is a nonpartisan advocacy organization committed to the creation, promotion and preservation of small business that is beneficial to Oregon communities. OSBRL believes that small business is an active and influential advocate for successful economic, political and social working frameworks, and partners with responsible leadership, policy makers and key stakeholders to identify issues critical to small business. Recognizing that small businesses and their employees are the primary contributors to long-term economic vitality and stable social structures, OSBRL seeks to preserve and promote a climate where the entrepreneurial spirit of small business and the socially responsible practices of corporations of all sizes will flourish. OBSRL strives to identify and implement equitable solutions that strengthen Oregon communities.

Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (RHCC) is a membership driven non-profit organization. The RHCC is comprised of small business owners, corporate representatives, community leaders, and association members representing various professions. With over 300 members and a database of over 17,000 subscribers, the RHCC is on a steadfast trajectory of growth placing it among the state’s fastest growing minority chambers in the state of California.

United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1979 and is the largest Hispanic business association in the country. It represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses that combine to generate more than $400 billion annually. The USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of the nation’s Hispanic entrepreneurs and serves as an umbrella organization to 200 local chambers and business organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico. The USHCC’s mission is to foster economic development and to create sustainable prosperity for the benefit of American society.

Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is a non-profit organization that promotes commerce in local Virginia markets and helps its membership expand and grow their businesses by connecting mainstream businesses with other Asian businesses. As a business advocacy organization, the VACC works on behalf of more than 44,500 Asian American companies in Virginia, in addition to those in Maryland, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas, which employ more than 77,000 employees and create $8 billion dollars in revenue. The VACC works with local, state and federal government agencies while facilitating trade between the United States and Asia, and has statewide satellite offices in Chantilly, Central Virginia, Charlottesville and Newport News.

Wisconsin Business Alliance: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Wisconsin Business Alliance is a non-partisan, nonprofit membership organization that represents business owners statewide, including small businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs and farm-based businesses as well as larger enterprises. Forged during the political upheavals of 2012, we hope to move past the partisan battles that have divided our state and guide the political conversation back to what's really best for the vast majority of Wisconsin's businesses.

Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Majority Strategic Partner -- The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce works to create a fully inclusive state by promoting economic growth and opportunities among LGBT owned and friendly businesses, professionals, and corporations in Wisconsin. Representing its members, the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce serves as the business advocate and the link between business and government in an effort to promote equality and fairness for all.