10/19/2004
Photo: Brett Dungan (left), president of Master Marine Inc. (MMI) in Bayou La Batre, and MMI Vice President Steven Roppoli (right) give Congressman Jo Bonner (1st Dist.) a tour of MMI's dry dock, which currently is home to 123-foot Coast Guard patrol boat.
When NFIB member Brett Dungan wants to be heard, he seeks every available channel.
President of Master Marine Inc. in Bayou La Batre, Ala., Dungan serves on NFIB/Alabama's Leadership Council and Mobile Area Action Council.
"The thing I like the best is our members set the agenda," Dungan said. "The members supply the marching orders to our staff in Montgomery."
Master Marine, which refurbishes ships for commercial use including the U.S. Coast Guard, has a lot at stake at the federal and state levels. That's why Dungan stays active on many fronts – including NFIB, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Alabama Shrimp Marketing Board (he's chairman) and other groups.
"Brett demonstrates the true sense of a small businessman working to make a difference not only for himself but also for thousands of his counterparts," NFIB/Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash said.
Dungan recently visited with U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner (1st Dist.), who toured Master Marine and met some of its 45 employees. Dungan used the meeting with Bonner to convey key concerns – including contract bundling and skyrocketing health care insurance – when running his business.
"Small businesses sometimes get excluded from bidding," said Dungan, noting Master Marine has secured 169 government contracts the last 14 years and derives 30 percent of revenue from federal jobs. "Small businesses have demonstrated an ability to provide quality services at lower prices in many instances, and small businesses create the majority of Alabama's jobs. That's why it's only fair to have a level playing field with big business."
Dungan said he covers 50 percent of health insurance costs for employees, a rarity in his industry, and he's troubled by the exorbitant increase in premiums. "We're hit every year with increases – 17 percent this year alone," Dungan said, noting average tenure of his workforce is an unusual 15 years. "It's squeezing profit margins in our competitive industry."
At the state level, Dungan said he's concerned government is focusing too much on creating jobs in "smokestack industries" and not enough on rural economic development.
"Alabama needs to bring more attention to rural economies," Dungan said. "I don't think there's a plan or an awareness from state government."
One thing is certain: Dungan will continue to meet with leaders like Congressman Bonner and work with NFIB's leadership to communicate ideas and concerns.
"I'll continue to work hard developing relationships with our elected officials. It's too important not to."
