Small Business Advocate Jim Blasingame

- NEWS RELEASE -
SBA Selects Jim Blasingame for National Advisory Council
Washington, DC - November 24, 2003

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the appointment of Jim Blasingame to its National Advisory Council (NAC). Blasingame is the president of Small Business Network Inc., and the creator and award-winning host of the nationally syndicated radio/Internet talk show, The Small Business Advocate.  Blasingame is also a nationally syndicated columnist and author of Small Business Is Like A Bunch Of Bananas (SBN Books).

The SBA's National Advisory Council (NAC) was established to support the SBA's mission to, "maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting, and protecting the interests of small businesses." NAC members meet twice each year to provide expert advice, ideas and opinions on SBA programs and small business issues.

 "We're very pleased to have Jim Blasingame on our National Advisory Council," said Hector V. Barreto, SBA Administrator. "Jim's support of our efforts at the SBA goes back many years, during which he has contributed his time and energy in many different forms. He's a tireless champion of small business, and we're very fortunate that Jim has agreed to serve as a member of this important group."

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve as a member of the National Advisory Council," said Blasingame.  "Like all the work the SBA does on behalf of small businesses, the role of the NAC is very important, and it's an honor to be included."

Melanie Sabelhaus, SBA Deputy Administrator said, "In his role as a leading small business expert and advocate, Jim Blasingame brings a wealth of valuable perspectives to the NAC.  We're looking forward to adding Jim's contribution to the work of the NAC team."

Blasingame was named by TALKERS Magazine as a member of the 2003 "Heavy Hundred," the 100 most important talk show hosts in America.  He's the recipient of the SBA's 2002 Small Business Journalist of the Year award. And FORTUNE Small Business magazine identified Blasingame as one of the 30 most influential people in America representing small business.

Small Business Network, Inc. produces and distributes multi-media small business content worldwide, including The Small Business Advocate show, which airs weekdays live from 7-9am ET on radio, and 24-7 on the Internet.  IBM and Office Depot are SBN sponsors. The online address is www.jbsba.com.

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