NFIB has a new Chairman of the Michigan Leadership Council: Ralph Beebe, President of Highland Engineering, Inc. in Howell, MI.

“We are excited to have Ralph assume the duties of Chair after being a long-time supporter of small business and NFIB,” said Amanda Fisher, Michigan State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). “We look forward to his leadership as we tackle the difficult issues facing small business in Michigan.”

Highland Engineering, Inc. (HEI), founded in 1986, provides engineering, metal forming, precision machining, electrical and pneumatic control systems, welding, fabrication, and water treatment systems. HEI and has become one of the leading small business suppliers of Ground Support Equipment to the Department of Defense. The company’s plant encompasses over 50,000 square feet and employs almost fifty full time workers.

Ralph takes the gavel from Rod Kloha of Circle K Services who finished his two-year term as Chair in March of 2024.

The NFIB Leadership Council is comprised of small business owners elected to provide direct membership input and counsel to staff regarding public policy, political activities and grassroots activism. Members of the Leadership Council serve in an advisory capacity on policy as NFIB’s positions on issues are determined by a vote of the members on federal and state ballots.

Founded in 1943, the mission of NFIB is to promote and protect the right of small business to own, operate, and grow their business. NFIB in Michigan has almost 10,000 small business members and 300,000 members nationwide.

In addition to regularly meeting with state and federal lawmakers, in 2015, Ralph testified in Congress on behalf of NFIB before the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. The subject of the hearing was “How the Administration’s Regulatory Onslaught is Affecting Workers and Job Creators.”

“Ralph knows through experience the impact that small business owners can have when they engage with lawmakers on issues affecting their business. Ralph’s history of advocacy leadership both with NFIB and other business associations, along with his keen political insight will benefit all NFIB members as we tackle the difficult issues facing small business in Michigan.”