A great day for NFIB/Ohio members...
Small Business Day at the Capitol was another great day for entrepreneurs to be recognized for their efforts across the state to create jobs and fuel the economic engine of Ohio. With members, guests, and legislators, over 250 enjoyed a celebration of small business on June 7.
The event was emceed by NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council member Claudia Kovach, Vice President of City Machine Technologies in Youngstown, Ohio. The morning kicked off with a panel of the NFIB/Ohio staff on our three key issues for the day; unemployment compensation reform, workers’ compensation reform, and the impact of the state budget on taxes for small business owners.
Roger Geiger, Chris Ferruso, and Jared Weiser conduct the panel on small business issues of the day.
Attendees heard from both the Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof and Ohio Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger about the importance of small business to the state and their commitment to making Ohio an even better place for them to own, operate and grow their businesses.
Senate President Larry Obhof address the group.
Ohio Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger speaks with members.
Another NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council member, Scott Lipps, owner of Sleep Tite Mattress Factory in Franklin, Ohio, who was elected in 2016 to represent Ohio House District 62, offered tips to the members on speaking with their legislators and being effective with elected officials during the luncheon portion of the day at the Ohio Statehouse.
Rep. Scott Lipps, a fellow NFIB member, offers tips to members on lobbying their legislators at the Ohio Statehouse.
The morning portion of the event’s final speaker was Brad Close, NFIB Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy, who was in Columbus from Washington, DC to offer an update on healthcare, tax reform, and regulatory reform going on at the federal level. It was a terrific opportunity for the members present to ask questions of not only Brad, but all the speakers.
Brad Close, NFIB Sr. VP of Public Policy and Advocacy speaks with attendees.
There were also recognitions that were awarded at the event. Kelly Moore, owner of GKM Auto Parts in Zanesville, Ohio was honored as the 2017 Small Business Champion for Ohio. Kelly serves on the Ohio Leadership Council, is a leadership Trust donor, is a member of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Governing Board, and participates on the NFIB/Ohio PAC to help elect pro-small business candidates in Ohio.
Kelly Moore presented the 2017 Small Business Champion.
Finally, to conclude the day, State Representative Ryan Smith and State Senator Dave Burke both received the Guardian of Small Business. This recognition is only presented to one member of both chambers per year, and is voted on by the Ohio Leadership Council. Both have excellent voting records with NFIB, and Senator Burke is a fellow NFIB member.
2017 Guardians of Small Business, Sen. Burke and Rep. Smith.
We look forward to seeing you at the next Small Business Day at the Capitol!
