Association Supports Advocacy Appointment

The Printing Industries of America (PIA), Alexandria, Va., says that it strongly supports the appointment of Thomas M. Sullivan as chief counsel for advocacy at the Small Business Administration (SBA). Created by Congress in 1976, the SBA's Office of Advocacy is charged with advancing the views, concerns, and interests of small business; the chief counsel does so before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers.

As the watchdog for small business within the federal government, the advocacy office intervenes on behalf of small business in the federal regulatory process as mandated by the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.

Sullivan, described as a long-time friend of PIA, is known for his thorough and strong support of small businesses and his activities to foster compliance assistance and joint government/business initiatives.

Commenting on the appointment, Ben Cooper, PIA's executive vice president for public policy, says, "Tom has been with us in the trenches to ensure that federal policy initiatives fairly treat business owners. We look forward to continuing our long and successful working relationship."