NFIB Realigns for Stronger Influence, Broader Reach

Date: October 24, 2016

Leading small business group announces reorganization aimed at boosting its influence on Capitol Hill and beyond

The National
Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
, America’s leading small business
advocacy group, today announced several organizational changes aimed at
strengthening its influence and expanding its reach.

Under the reorganization, NFIB will enhance its lobbying
and political capabilities by joining its political, policy, lobbying, and
grassroots functions under a new Public Policy department led by Senior
Vice President Brad Close
. It will also integrate all
communications under one department, Public Affairs.

“NFIB has an obligation to its members to be the strongest
and most effective voice in Washington, and aligning these resources positions
NFIB to be at the forefront of battles to come,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan. “Small business owners have
been paralyzed by uncertainty resulting mostly from federal policies. They
deserve the strongest possible advocacy in Washington, and NFIB’s mission has
never been more important. Making these changes now means we will have a team
and structure in place in advance of the elections.”

Close, a veteran lobbyist and former Hill staffer, oversees
the NFIB Small Business Research Foundation; the organization’s political
operation; and its grassroots department. Under the reorganization, he will
also oversee NFIB’s federal lobbying team.   

In the coming year, the team will tackle issues such as health
care reform and the rising cost of health insurance created by the Affordable
Care Act; tax reform; repealing or delaying the Department of Labor’s
controversial overtime regulation; and potential Supreme Court nomination
fights like the one the group waged in March against D.C. Circuit Judge Merrick
Garland. 

The newly formed Public Affairs department will be headed
by Catherine Trinh Michael, a veteran public relations professional who most
recently headed communications and marketing for the American Apparel &
Footwear Association. She will oversee the Public Affairs department to include
communications, media relations, digital communications, social media,
marketing, and branding. Michael will join NFIB as Senior Vice President of
Public Affairs at the end of the year.

In addition, David
Addington
, who joined NFIB earlier this year as Senior Vice
President/General Counsel, will now oversee both the NFIB Small Business Legal
Center, the organization’s highly respected litigation program, and regulatory
affairs.

“For nearly three-quarters of a century, NFIB has been
among the most widely respected advocacy groups in Washington, with some of the
most important research. The staff we’ve brought on over the last several
months and the structure we’ve developed is a reflection of how we are
continuing to increase the breadth and depth of our work,” Duggan said.
“Advocating for small business and amplifying the voice of small business is
the core of what we do, and these changes will enable NFIB to be a more effective
advocate for small business.” 

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