04/01/2005
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Mary Loose DeViney |
Mary Loose DeViney is known for communicating directly with her representatives. However, the politically active small-business owner says she can't always be there when decisions are being made in Richmond and Washington, D.C.
"As a small businessperson, it is difficult to monitor all the legislation," she said. "NFIB does that for me. NFIB is an organization that looks out for my business while I am working on my business."
DeViney, chairman of NFIB/Virginia's Leadership Council and vice president of Tuel Jewelers in Historic Downtown Charlottesville, said the death tax is a critical issue for her. Tuel Jewelers, a full-service family jewelry store, has been in business since 1945. DeViney said she's concerned she may not be able to keep the business in the family without incurring an onerous tax burden.
"It is frustrating to spend your life building a prosperous business to pass on to [your] family, and then the family cannot afford the taxes and must sell the business to pay the taxes," said DeViney, noting NFIB is working at the national and state levels to eliminate the death tax.
DeViney said the health insurance crisis is impacting small business' ability to attract better employees. She believes Congress needs to provide some relief by passing legislation establishing Small-Business Health Plans (formerly known as AHPs).
Like most NFIB members in leadership positions, DeViney doesn't limit her activism to NFIB. She's vice chairman of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, which is currently addressing local transportation issues: "If folks cannot get to your store, then they will go somewhere else." She's also president-elect of the Virginia Jewelers Association, which is becoming more involved in legislation that affects the jewelry industry. On the national level, her trade association is addressing its concerns with the Federal Trade Commission and also is lobbying for health insurance reform and elimination of the death tax.
DeViney said government "does a good job of keeping us safe, at the national, state and local level," which helps her jewelry store: "If customers feel safe, they will deal with you. When there is fear, customers are not as comfortable spending money on luxury goods."
She offers constructive criticism, too: "Government could improve the multitude of regulation and filing requirements. The tax code needs reform, and [we need] tort reform."
NFIB/Virginia State Director Gordon Dixon praises DeViney for her leadership.
"Mary is a vibrant leader who is very active at the state and federal levels, and her familiarity and involvement with small-business concerns are tremendous assets that will serve our 8,000 statewide members well," Dixon said.
