Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and House Speaker Mac McCutcheon (Huntsville) were among the leaders who spoke at this year’s NFIB Small Business Day at the Capitol, held Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the offices of the Alabama Forestry Association.
Other speakers included Revenue Commissioner Vernon Barnett, Rep. Danny Garrett (Trussville), and Rep. Napoleon Bracy (Mobile).
The speakers covered a variety of topics, but much of the discussion centered around the challenges of finding qualified workers. According to the latest NFIB Small Business Economic Trends survey, that’s the No. 1 issue facing America’s small business owners.
Alabama Power, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Alabama Forestry Association hosted the event. Debbie Kemsel Catering, an NFIB member business, provided the lunch.
Guardian of Small Business presentation
Garrett was presented with the NFIB Guardian of Small Business award. Rep. Garrett has maintained a 100% NFIB voting record since he was elected in 2014. He has sponsored legislation identified by NFIB as beneficial to Alabama’s small business owners.
New LC officers
The newly-elected NFIB Alabama Leadership Council officers for 2020-22 are Russ Greenhalgh, chair, Greenhalgh Insurance Agency, (Birmingham); Murray Edwards, 1st vice-chair, The Mako Group LLC (Dadeville); and Linda Hammer, 2nd vice-chair, Hammer Construction (Samson).
Don Morgan, the previous LC chair, will chair the NFIB Alabama PAC.