12/19/2006
"NFIB has given me a venue in which to heard," said NFIB member Ron Iossi. "It is the best voice that a small-business owner can have in order to affect legislation on both the state and national level."
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Ron Iossi |
Iossi began his business, United Services by R.G. Iossi, in 1983 with his wife, Diana. "We specialize in restoration of residential, commercial and institutional buildings and contents damaged by wind, fire, water, vandalism or any other peril that could cause damage to a structure or its contents," said Iossi.
Since its opening, United Services by R.G. Iossi has expanded from a 2,000 square-foot facility to its current 21,000 square-foot facility and employs 17 individuals.
"Our oldest daughter is our office manager while our youngest daughter is a part-time assistant," said Iossi. "We also have two sons-in-law who work in the field. My wife is the comptroller."
Iossi first learned of NFIB while working for another business that was also a member. Iossi joined NFIB in 1984, and took a more active role after attending an NFIB Small-Business Summit in Washington D.C. "I just felt that it was time to try to make a difference by doing my part in protecting the 'free' part of free enterprise," he said.
Since then, Iossi chaired the Davenport Area Action Council for a few years, which was the first area action council in Iowa.
"The council has helped bring more NFIB members to meetings to discuss issues that are of importance to them and our state," said Iossi. "We have also engaged in conversation with various state legislators that we have had as speakers in an attempt to promote our issues."
In addition, Iossi has been a member of Iowa Leadership council. "I hope that my involvement has helped others feel like they too can have a voice," said Iossi.
Through his experiences as a small-business owner and NFIB member, Iossi feels that for the economy to thrive in Iowa, it is essential for the Legislature and governor to address four main areas: tort reform, workers' compensation, health-care coverage and maintaining the "right to work" in Iowa.
"The Legislature cannot circumvent our right-to-work status by undermining it with some kind of 'Fair Share' policy. Iowa's right-to-work Law should not be hidden from the public like it has been in recent years but instead used to help promote the growth of small business in our state," said Iossi. "For small business to not only survive here in Iowa but to actually thrive, we need a better environment in which to do so."
