05/28/2008
CONTACT: Michelle Bolton, 602-263-7690 or Tony Malandra, 415-664-9685
Broke into men's club of lobbying by being the first, woman-owned government affairs firm at capitol
PHOENIX -- Scottsdale entrepreneur and activist Elaine Arena was named the Solveras/NFIB Arizona Small Business Champion of the Year today by America's leading small business association, the National Federation of Independent Business, and Solveras, one of the nation's leading payment processing companies for small businesses.
The honor was conferred upon Arena by the Arizona Leadership Council of NFIB. Each year, NFIB and Solveras single out a small business owner in all 50 states for special recognition and honor him or her with their prestigious Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion of the Year award. This is the fifth year the national group has recognized small business owners who go the extra mile for their fellow entrepreneurs and the first year Solveras has joined in. Last year's winner was Michael Crowe of Mesa. In 2006, the award went to Joy Staveley of Flagstaff. In 2005, Malcolm Barrett of Prescott won it, and in 2004 it was presented to Kirk Adams of Mesa.
In 1984, Arena started Arena Government Communications, becoming the only woman-owned government affairs business at the state Capitol at the time. The Scottsdale-based company consults and advocates on behalf of businesses and small trade associations on issues such as health care, taxation, and regulation. Prior to forming her own firm, Arena had worked for the city of Scottsdale as its lobbyist. In addition to her firm, Arena has enjoyed owning a mountain bike touring business with her husband since 1992 and running a family-owned commercial property business. She has been an NFIB member since 2003 and serves on its Leadership Council and political action committee.
"Every year, Elaine Arena works tirelessly in partnership with NFIB on behalf of the small business community," said Michelle Bolton, NFIB/Arizona state director. "This year, we were attached at the hip on healthcare issues, as it has been the No. 1 issue for small business since 1986. We are proud to have her standing next to us when slaying dragons at the state Capitol."
For her community, Arena has worked with Valley Leadership, Liberty Wildlife Project, Scottsdale Airport Commission, Kids Voting, and is a financial sponsor for Parenting Arizona.
NOTE TO EDITORS – U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell will present Arena with her Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion of the Year award Thursday, May 29, at a meeting of small business owners at Mimi's Café, 8980 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. The meeting starts at 8 a.m.
