Phoenix, AZ (January 16, 2012) -- The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) held their Annual Meeting, Volunteer Celebration and Expo on Thursday, January 12, 2012 to highlight the association’s successes in 2011 and honor the individuals who helped achieve those accomplishments.
ASBA 2011 Board Chair, Lynn Paige opened the ceremony recognizing the stellar year ASBA experienced and congratulating all those who participated. ASBA CEO Donna Davis reminded members that the association’s ongoing goal is to help small businesses make money, save money and influence public policy. She announced new strategic partnerships with Staples, AIP Solutions (credit card processing), Delta Dental, and numerous benefits and insurance providers that help ASBA members by saving their businesses money.
Davis continued to note 2011 accomplishments including raising membership to over 11,000 small businesses, making ASBA the largest trade association in the state. Davis also announced that through aggressive campaigning, the association now represents small businesses in all 15 counties and all 30 legislative districts (ASBA is one of only two statewide associations dedicated to small business in the nation). Davis credited the dedication and hard work of the ASBA staff for the association’s accomplishments in 2011.
It was also noted that ASBA was voted to the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2011 Best Places to Work. Organizations recognized by this award are ones that go above standard employer benefits and options to offer a range of things to encourage morale, team building and cohesive staffs.
ASBA strategic partner SCF Arizona presented the association with a check for $479,000, noting that the figure was representative of dividends that have gone back to support ASBA small business members in Arizona.
Paige announced the association’s incoming and returning board members for 2012 as follows:
New Board Officers for 2012: Joe Higgins, Chair, Serial Entrepreneur: Sports Buzz Haircuts, Talking Trash Waste Removal, Quality of Life Medical Roy Irwin, Vice Chair, Irwin Insurance & Investments, LLC Donna Robinson, Secretary, Network Dogs, Inc. Jacob Gregory, Treasurer, CliftonLarsenAllen LLP New Board Members: Kim Marie Branch-Pettid, LeTip International; John Ficorilli, Mountain State Employers Council; Karen Karr, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP; Ryan McMullen, RSI Enterprises, Inc.; and Russ Yelton, Northern Arizona Center for Emerging Technologies Re-Elected Board Members: Jacob Gregory, CliftonLarsenAllen LLP; Ben Himmelstein, Wong Fujii Carter, PC; Dr. Jan Northup, Management Training Systems, Inc.; Donna Robinson, Network Dogs, Inc.; Paul Smiley, Sonoran Technology and Professional Services, Linda Stanfield, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing; Mark Staudohar, ACCENT’ Hiring Group and Victoria Trafton, Victoria Trafton Presents Outgoing Board Member: Debi Kuehn, Kuehn Financial Education Services, LLC
The association presented awards to outstanding partners, board members, staff and volunteers who went above and beyond in 2011 to help advance ASBA’s initiatives. Awards were presented as follows:
Board Member of the Year: Donna Robinson, Network Dogs, Inc. Board Member of the Year, Honorable Mention: Jacob Gregory, CliftonLarsenAllen LLP Corporate Partner of the Year: SCF Arizona Strategic Partner of the Year: BNI Arizona Volunteer of the Year for the Southern Arizona Region: Barney Hilton Murray, BHM Media Arts Group Volunteer of the Year for the Central Arizona Region: Victoria Trafton,Victoria Trafton Presents ASBA Employee of the Year: Debbie Hann, VP Finance and Administration
The ceremony was closed with a surprise tribute to Davis put on by her staff to recognize her outstanding work over the last three years as CEO, crediting her for re-energizing the association. Davis will be stepping down as CEO on February 15, 2012. "Donna was the right leader at the right time to make things happen for small business,” stated Joe Higgins, incoming Board Chair. "It has been such a great pleasure to work with her and she will certainly be missed. Great organizations start with the leadership at the top, and Donna has left this staff, board and association in great shape to carry the torch on into the New Year.”
For more information on ASBA programs and partnerships that save small business money visit http://www.asba.com/Savings.
About ASBA – The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) is a dynamic, growing community dedicated to entrepreneurial development and small business growth. ASBA is the largest trade association in Arizona with over 11,000 member businesses and a reach to over ½ million employees in all 15 counties and all 30 legislative districts. ASBA creates opportunities for business to make money, save money and influence public policy. ASBA members enjoy access to significant group discounts, countless opportunities to do business with each other, a wide array of insurance products, and active advocacy efforts on public policy issues to protect their businesses. Discover more at www.asba.com. Join ASBA. Be amazed®.
Media Contact: Jackie Coppjackie@maryschnack.com602-441-3937 ###
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