Washington, D.C. -- The National Small Business Association has named San Francisco's Scott Hauge as its 2007 Small Business Advocate of the Year. Hauge will be honored during NSBA's Washington Presentation and 70th anniversary celebration -- to be held May 9-10, 2007 at the Westin City Center, located at 1400 M Street NW in Washington, D.C.

The other national finalists were Donna Childs of New York City, Shirley Felder-Morton of Woodbourne, N.Y., Michael Mitternight of Metairie, La., and John Zitzner of Cleveland.

"Scott distinguished himself from an exemplary field that included many extremely active and passionate small-business advocates," NSBA Chair Grafton H. "Cap" Willey, IV said. "He has worked hard on behalf of small business and NSBA is extremely proud of what he accomplished as well as his continuing efforts."

Hauge is president and owner of Cal Insurance and Associates, Inc. The company, founded in 1927, specializes in providing insurance for small- and medium-sized businesses. Maybe more importantly, Hauge and the advocacy organization he founded, Small Business California, continues to be influential on the state level -- becoming one of the go-to people for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California legislature regarding gashouse emissions, health care costs, workers compensation, and energy.

"I advocate for small business because it is my passion and I see how much small business is underrepresented when policy decisions are made," Hauge said. "I also think it sets me apart from my fellow insurance agents and brokers because I care about my clients beyond just selling them an insurance policy. That is why the Cal Insurance motto is 'Always looking out for you.'"

Hauge currently serves as NSBA's vice chair for advocacy. Additionally, Hauge is a member of more than 20 boards and commissions in the Golden State and has testified before Congress numerous times.

For 70 years, NSBA has been an advocate for the interests of small business throughout the country. The organization, which reaches more than 150,000 small businesses, is the nation's oldest small-business advocacy organization.