NFIB

Allen Evans Puts His Own Grassroots Experience to Work With NFIB
05/02/2002

Allen Evans coordinates grassroots efforts every day. As the owner of The Allen C. Evans Company, the Merrillville, Ind.-businessman works as a consultant in media and government relations for organizations across the region.

His political experience earned him a position nearly 20 years ago as a founding member of NFIB's Leadership Council in Indiana, one of the first in the country.

"NFIB was looking for people with political backgrounds when they started their new grassroots groups at the state level," says Evans, who works with his wife, Barbara.

After pitching in with NFIB's statewide council, Evans began pushing for smaller, local groups.

"We all ran up and down I-65 to Indianapolis constantly," says Evans, who began his career in broadcasting before going on his own 31 years ago. "I saw the need for local groups and was pleased when Area Action Councils were introduced."

Evans stays involved with NFIB to fight what he sees as the biggest problem today: The lack of control over government spending.

"There is no better watchdog for the way this country should move forward than NFIB," says Evans, who started his career as a disc jockey in the American Forces network in Nuremberg, Germany, from 1950 to 1952. "For a modest amount, we participate in an organization that constantly fights for what's best for small business."

Quick Facts:
Name: The Allen C. Evans Company
Location: Merrillville, Ind.
Founded: 1971
Number of employees: 2

What services does your business provide?
After a career in broadcasting, I took my experience and started an advertising agency. Several years into the business, I realized I liked the community relations aspect the most. Today I do consulting work in media and government relations for a wide variety of clients. My longest-running client is Safety-Kleen Oil Recovery Company, the world's largest. I'm also helping the city of Hammond, Ind., in its quest to be designated the All-America City. For the second year, I've been named director of promotion and marketing for Gary, Ind.'s Air Show 2002, a two-day event attended by 400,000.

My wife, Barbara, works with me in the business. We purposely don't have any employees. When I started my business, I knew I didn't want to manage people. I just wanted to use my talents to do what I love. I'm willingly, gladly and pleasantly on my own.

Why did you join NFIB?
There is no better watchdog for the way this country should move forward than NFIB. For a modest amount, we participate in an organization that constantly fights for what's best for small business. Small business owners face a wide range of complications. NFIB handles the fights and lets us keep running our businesses. They're extremely innovative and truly have the pulse of the community and the nation. NFIB's batting average for both state and federal issues is phenomenal.

How did you become involved in NFIB grassroots activism?
I've always used grassroots strategies in my consulting work; I think it really makes a difference. When NFIB started their grassroots groups in Indiana, they were looking for people with political experience. Government is my hobby. And since I've worked in a large number of community organizations through the years, it seemed a good fit to get involved as a founding member of Indiana's Leadership Council, one of the first in the country. Our grassroots work in the state has been very effective.



What are your top legislative concerns on the state and federal levels?
My biggest concern at both the state and federal levels is the people's total lack of control over government spending. There is so much waste in government, and it's difficult to reign in spending.

Why do you like being a small business owner?
I love the independence. I can't imagine working in the topsy-turvy world of corporate America. Being self-employed, I don't have to work for people I don't want to work for. I love the freedom - that doesn't mean I can take off a 4 p.m. everyday. But it does allow me to spin off in directions that still amaze me. My independence also allows me to continue growing in many different areas.