LANSING – The Small Business Association of Michigan honored three people as the organization’s 2006 Advocates of the Year. The advocates were recognized at SBAM’s June 22 annual meeting in East Lansing.
Speaker of the House Craig DeRoche (R-Novi) was named Legislator of the Year. Criteria for selection include legislation introduced, votes cast and leadership ability as demonstrated by the person?s skill in building consensus to resolve small business issues.
?There were many deserving legislators this year, but what singled the Speaker out was his leadership on the repeal of the Single Business Tax,? said Jeff VanWinkle, SBAM?s 2006-2007 chair.
Patti Townsend, owner of Abbi Nursing in Kalamazoo, was named Advocate of the Year. The award is presented to the small businessperson who demonstrates the greatest commitment to advocating for the small business legislative and regulatory agenda.
Carol Cain, business columnist for the Detroit Free Press, was recognized as Communicator of the Year.
Bill Lowry, owner of the MiBiz publication and SBAM?s 2005 Communicator of the Year, presented the award to Cain.
?Carol does more than simply report business news. She excels in detailing the personal challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur and explains it in a way that?s understandable and inspiring to the general reader,? he said.
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