08/24/2006
When it comes to standing up and speaking out for small business, NFIB member Jerry Pierce takes his role seriously. Named the 2006 NFIB Small-Business Champion in March, Pierce is a member of NFIB/Florida's Leadership Council and continues to work hard to support many small-business issues such as access to affordable health insurance, death-tax relief, tort reform and more.
With 2006 being a crucial election year, Pierce believes the stalling of death-tax relief and Small-Business Health Plans in the Senate will prompt other small-business owners to speak out as well.
"They're getting sick of it," he says about the hold the Senate has placed on these top-priority small-business issues, "And I really think it will motivate them to get involved."
This year more than ever it is critical that small-business supporters are elected, and Pierce is doing his part to help maintain a pro-small-business majority in Congress. In addition to helping U.S. Rep. Ric Keller with signage and area events, Pierce has been working with former representative Bill McCollum, who is now running for attorney general in Florida.
"Jerry Pierce is a man on a mission for small business," NFIB/Florida State Director Allen Douglas said. "He is persistent in his desire to level the playing field for small business, and always does so in gentlemanly fashion. Jerry Pierce is a leader in his community and a voice our legislators in Tallahassee and Washington recognize and respect."
The owner of Restaurant Equipment World, a 50-employee company and a leader in the restaurant equipment industry, Pierce chairs NFIB/Florida's Leadership Trust, is active with the Orlando Area Action Council, and gives to NFIB's Young Entrepreneur Foundation. He speaks to regional and national media in support of small-business issues, and serves as the president of the Central Florida Veterans Association and chairman of a local advisory board for BankFIRST.
"And somehow after all that," he jokes, "I find time to do a little work."
