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Governor Names Small Business Advocate
SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George Ryan today announced the appointment of Phyllis Scott to the position of Small Business Advocate within the Governor's Office. The creation of a small business advocate was a key recommendation of the 2000 Governor's Small Business Summit.
"In assuming the role as Small Business Advocate, Phyllis Scott will be my direct link to Illinois' growing small business community," said Ryan. "As a former small businessman, I am well aware of the daily challenges facing small businessmen and women, and I want them to know I'm listening. I'm confident that with Phyllis Scott working on their behalf, we'll be able to provide small business owners across the state even more assistance to grow and prosper."
In her new position as Small Business Advocate, Phyllis Scott will also assume the duties of the small business utility advocate. The small business utility advocate is a statutory post that assists small businesses with utility related issues. Scott will be located in the Governor's Chicago office.
Scott joined the Ryan Administration in February 1999 after working at the United States' Small Business Administration (SBA) for nine years. Scott is currently an assistant to the Governor's Chief of Staff, and in that capacity has been a liaison on both small business and tourism issues between the Governor's Office and the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA). Scott has also been responsible for overseeing Governor Ryan's Executive Order related to Universal Certification for Women and Minority owned businesses and the Governor's Executive Order to create and maintain a diversified workforce in state government.
"There are nearly 625,000 small businesses in Illinois employing more than 2.5 million people, and we want to ensure that their voices and concerns are heard," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough. "The Small Business Advocate will achieve that goal through direct contact with the business community, and by listening to owners and working with them on the issues that affect them. We look forward to working with Phyllis in fulfilling this important role."
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