02/15/2008
CONTACT: John Kabateck or Michelle Orrock, 916-448-9904
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The National Federation of Independent Business/California named Sunder Ramani of Penta Resources as its 2008 Small-Business Champion.
Ramani received this honor by the Leadership Council of NFIB/California, the state's leading small business association. Each year, NFIB singles out a small-business owner in all 50 states for special recognition and honors him or her with its prestigious Small-Business Champion award. This is the fifth year that the national group has recognized small-business owners who go the extra mile for smaller enterprises. Previous winners include Steve Caughran of Fresno/Bakersfield, Alzada Knickerbocker of Davis, Alan Test of Toluca Lake, and Gary McKinsey of Modesto.
Ramani's consulting firm, Penta Resources, located in Glendale, focuses on business development and real estate acquisitions and development. He also owns an interior finish firm specializing in large-scale building renovations. For NFIB, he is the chair of the Southern California Leadership Council and contributes to the organization's Research Foundation, the Legal Foundation and the Young Entrepreneur Foundation. Ramani also serves on the NFIB national board and as the national chair of the SAFE Trust.
"Sunder Ramani is truly committed to advancing the cause of small business in California and Washington D.C.," said John Kabateck, NFIB/California executive director. "He espouses a results-oriented approach to advocacy, and is always willing to step in to help champion the issues and concerns of small-business owners, whether in his own community or the public policy arena."
Ramani graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in accounting/business administration. He is involved in legislative efforts at the La Canada Chamber of Commerce, and in collaborating with the surrounding chambers. He has also worked with local chambers and the California Small Business Association on workers' compensation reform. In addition, Ramani chairs the annual Youth Leadership Conference hosted by the Character and Ethics Project of Glendale; serves on the Glendale Educational Foundation Advisory Board; Oakmont Country Club Board; La Canada-Flintridge Chamber of Commerce Executive Board; Burbank Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, Burbank Community YMCA, Community Foundation, Burbank Healthcare Foundation, and Burbank Rotary Club. In the public sector, Sunder serves on the Public Safety Commission for the City of La Canada.
