04/24/2007
CONTACT: Michelle Bolton, (602) 263-7690 or Tony Malandra, (415) 664-9685
AGM Container Controlled, Ramsower Garage mark a century with small-business group
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From left to right: Jeff Koch, NFIB Vice President of Member Services, Carl Ramsower, Howard Stewart, and NFIB/Arizona State Director Michelle Bolton. |
PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Carl Ramsower's family stretches back four generations of Arizonans and personally knew a Pima County Deputy Sheriff by the name of Wyatt Earp. Howard Stewart's firm has been part of the national defense fabric for six decades.
Commercial and family roots run deep in Ramsower and Stewart and so too do their firms' participation in America's leading small-business group. For Ramsower Garage's 60-year membership and AGM Container Controlled 40-year membership, the National Federation of Independent Business/Arizona saluted both with a special plaque commemorating their participation in the cause for small business development and growth.
"It's probably the best organization I've ever belonged to," said Ramsower about NFIB." One, for the information they provide, and two for the clout they have." Stewart called his membership in NFIB doing his part to support the goals of small business as a whole and noted that NFIB's legislative victories "help make it easier for us to operate profitably."
Stewart's firm, AGM Container Controlled, is a leader in the design and fabrication of products that control and monitor moister, pressure, and vacuum changers, as well as devices for shock and vibration. While this may sound a bit esoteric to the average person, the U.S. Department of Defense and major aerospace companies know well of AGM's products, having given the company numerous awards, including a Best Value Gold Medal from the Defense Supply Center Richmond for six consecutive years.
Ramsower Garage is part of that increasingly rare breed of businesses that are neighborhood-based and known by all who live nearby. While the auto-repair shop gets plenty of competition from the big-box boys, its loyal following of customers who know and trust Carl Ramsower is the envy of corporate managers who can never duplicate those qualities. Ramsower's father joined NFIB when Harry S. Truman was president of the United States and Carl has continued with the membership since taking the reins. "My father was a big proponent of being involved," said Ramsower.
"People such as Howard Stewart and Carl Ramsower are the reason NFIB is acknowledged and respected as the true voice of small business," said Michelle Bolton, Arizona state director for NFIB. "Lawmakers know we are not some letterhead organization jockeying for recognition, but a real flesh-and-blood group with long-term members like Howard and Carl. It gets us sincerely listened to and supported rather than patted on the head."
