01/09/2008
CONTACT: Dave Brasher, 614-340-3799 or Mike Diegel, 202-314-2004
INDIANAPOLIS -- America's leading small-business association today named a new state director for Indiana, one who is no stranger to the halls of power, nor what it means to own a small business.
"Lobbying for small business is not a job we can hand to just anyone," said Dave Brasher, National Federation of Independent Business' region public policy director. "Small businesses are distinctly different from large businesses, with different needs, so our state directors must constantly educate policymakers as well as advocate. Because of that dual role, we're delighted someone the caliber of Barbara Quandt has come on board."
In addition, Brasher announced that Brian Christenberry has been named member support manager for Indiana.
Quandt, an NFIB member for many years, has represented the organization on a number of occasions in the state capital as well as in Washington, D.C. She was the president and founder or Danville/Brownsburg World Travel, and later, the president and co-founder of The Quandt Group Inc., a public relations and management consulting firm. Most recently, she was director of public affairs for Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc., an environmental engineering firm.
Quandt has served as NFIB/Indiana Leadership Council Chair and represented NFIB at the White House Conference on Small Business in 1995. Three years later, she represented NFIB at Congressional Summit on Small Business. Her tireless advocacy efforts were recognized in 2006 when she was named NFIB Small Business Champion for both the state and the Midwest region, one of five regional honors.
Christenberry is a former NFIB membership policy coordinator and worked extensively with then-State Director Jason Shelley. He had served previously as a legislative assistant in the state Senate, and later lobbied on behalf of the clients of The SDS Group. Later, he was the membership policy coordinator/lobbyist for the American Council of Engineering Companies in Indianapolis.
"These are challenging times for small businesses in Indiana, given the huge controversy over property taxes and other issues the Legislature will address this year," Brasher said. "With Barbara and Brian joining us, our members will have the benefit of a first-class team representing their interests in Indianapolis."
