12/10/2002
NFIB/Arizona Praises Business ActivismPhoto David Gillespie (Leadership Council Chairman) of Car-Go Auto Repair, Joy Staveley of Canyoneers and Sandy Abalos of Abalos and Associates.
ARIZONA, December 9, 2002 -- NFIB/Arizona, the state's largest small-business advocacy organization, has honored Paradise small-business owners Sandy Abalos, Walter Dudley and Barry Bales for going above and beyond the call of duty for the small-business community. While actively running and operating their businesses, they found time to make their voices heard at the state Legislature, with state media organizations and other small-business owners, according to NFIB State Director Michelle Bolton.
Bolton noted how difficult it is for small-business owners to find time to do much other than run their businesses. "They are leaders in the community and they understand that although they may be busy running their businesses, meeting with lawmakers about small-business concerns is time well spent," she said. "They are fighting every day to remind policymakers how important small business is to the state's economy.
"Small-business owners put a real face on issues being debated in the Legislature," Bolton said. "Lawmakers are much more responsive to business owners, especially when they take time from their businesses to meet with legislators to discuss critical issues."
Abalos owns Abalos & Associates, P.C., a full-service CPA firm employing nine people. Bales owns Barry's Full Service, a property management consulting firm. Dudley owns Dudley & Holomon, Inc. a business accounting firm employing three people. All three along with eight other small-business owners were honored with an awards presentation in Phoenix Thursday, Dec. 5.
Bolton called the business owners truly dedicated to the small-business community. She said they tirelessly volunteer to testify before the state Legislature, discuss small-business concerns with media organizations, participate in news conferences and work to get other small-business owners more involved.
"Small-business owners can make the time to participate in the process, and they can make a difference," said Bolton. "Active participation in the process builds clout for small businesses."
CONTACT: Michelle Bolton 602.263.7690
