12/09/2002
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 Glendale small-business owner David Gillespie for going above and beyond the call of duty for the small-business community. While actively running and operating his business, Gillespie found time to make his voice 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. "He is a leader in the community and he understand that although he may be busy running his business, meeting with lawmakers about small-business concerns is time well spent," she said. "David is 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."
Gillespie owns Car-Go Auto. He is also chairman of NFIB/Arizona's Leadership Council, a group of small-business owners statewide committed to raising awareness of critical problems facing the small-business community and to recommend common-sense legislative remedies to the Legislature. Gillespie and 10 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
