SmallBizResource Blog -- Government

Looking For A Small Business Hero? Find Them Here

Posted by Benjamin Tomkins Monday, May 18, 2009, 08:39 AM ET

National Small Business Week isn't all panels filled with government officials and the leaders of big vendors SMB groups, on Wednesday the small business heroes will take the spotlight.

Much of the National Small Business Week program in Washington, D.C. this week is designed for small businesses owners. By that I mean that people like Karen Mills, the SBA administrator, and representatives from companies such as HP and IBM are there talking to small business leaders about trends and opportunities that may benefit their business. That has value for SMBs -- SmallBizResource Chief Blogging Officer Gayle Kesten is there in person capturing the highlights -- but it does leave a notable absence: small business owners themselves.

But fear not that gap is being filled this Wednesday when the House Small Business Committee, chaired by Nydia M. Velázquez (a Democrat representing New York's 12th Congressional District), will turn the spot light on the real McCoy: small business owners.

When I hear the word "hearing," I think immediately of things like Iran Contra and Watergate, but this Congressional Hearing appears to be a hearing of the listen, rather than legal, variety. The hearing held in the Rayburn House Office Building is entitled "Heroes Of Small Business" and has the stated goal of examining the important role of entrepreneurs in power our economy and job creation. That's a welcome perspective -- all the more so if you believe Andrew Sherman's view that now is a great time to start a new business. At the hearing an impressive roster of small businesses leaders will "testify" (again with the legalese) about their success and their business is contributing to the economy. I've requested video of the events that I hope to post later this week (fingers crossed).

As of today, here's the slate of small business leaders scheduled to appear at the "Heroes of Small Business Hearing" on Wednesday:

• Mr. Kirk Farra of In-Synch Systems (Zelienople, PA)
• Ms. Barbara McClain of McClain Contracting (Andalusia, AL)
• Dr. Gene Pochapsky, Vice President of OmniTech Group (Greensburg, PA)
• Ms. Chandra Brown, Vice President of Oregon Iron Works, Inc. (Clackamas, OR)
• Ms. Doña A. P. Storey, President of Quality Technical Services, Inc./GOVtips,LLC (Virginia Beach, VA)
• Mr. Sutton Bacon, President & CEO, NOC (Bryson City, NC)
• Mr. Stephen Reister, Principal, Steel-T Heating and Air Conditioning (Englewood, CO)
• Mr. Greg Prestemon, President of Economic Development Center (St. Charles, MO)
• Mr. Lee Mirman, TRC CIPS, Broker/Owner of Investments in Sarasota (Sarasota, FL)

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Government