The 2011 Lewis I. Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year Award recognizes small- business owners who go above and beyond in advocating for the small-business community.

NSBA has extended the nomination deadline to July 8, 2011.

NSBA will choose five finalists and one award winner who will be recognized at the annual Advocate of the Year Award Luncheon on Sept. 14, 2011 in conjunction with the NSBA Washington Presentation on Sept. 14 and 15 in Washington, D.C.

Qualifications and Criteria: 
The Lewis I. Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year Award qualifications include:

• A demonstrated commitment to small-business advocacy above and beyond policies that specifically impact their own business or industry;
• A proven history of volunteer efforts to advance and improve the overall small-business community;
• Success in advocating for pro-small business policies; and
• Success and growth as a small-business owner
   
  Past Winners:
• Michael Mitternight, president and owner of Factory Service Agency, Inc., a commercial air conditioning service and construction company located just outside New Orleans, La., in operation since 1975.
• Thomas C. Pitrone, CFP and head of The Integrity Group in Willoughby, Ohio, a 25-year strong firm that provides financial services and advice to other small businesses. 
• Joseph Melookaran CPA, founder of JMA Chartered in Overland Park, Kansas, a professional services firm specializing in public assurance, IT, and network design and security. 
  
• Scott Hauge, president of Cal Insurance & Associates and executive director of Small Business California, a grassroots organization with significant influence in California;  
  
• Robert Schmidt, founder of Cleveland Medical Devices Inc. and Orbital Research Inc., an active voice in state and national politics on taxation and commercialization; and  
  
• Valerie W. Perlowitz founder and CEO of Reliable Integration Services, Inc., a leader in technology issues serving on President George W. Bush’s IT Advisory Council.