Economic Forum with McCracken

10/26/09

Belton, Texas - The College of Business annual "Economic Development Forum" is set for Thursday, November 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Lord Conference Center of the Parker Academic Center on campus with guest speaker Todd O. McCracken, president of the National Small Business Assoication.

As president of the NSBA, McCracken directs the government affairs activities of the association; he has testified before Congress numerous times about issues ranging from fundamental health care reform to the effect of tax code restructuring on small businesses.

The focus of the Economic Development Forum is on the important role that small business plays in the national economy. McCracken will emphasize the best way to ensure the successful growth and sustainment of small business.

Mr. McCracken became president of NSBA in 1997. Mr. McCracken started with the association in 1988, previously serving as vice president of government affairs.

McCracken works the U.S. Congress, representing the organization in myriad settings. As director of its government affairs arm, McCracken played a key role in developing NSBA's policies on issues and the strategies in implementing them. Since coming to the association, McCracken has testified before Congress numerous times about issues ranging from fundamental health care reform to tax code restructuring.

McCracken also is a frequent commentator in the media, having appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, and NBC Nightly News as well as in the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and myriad other publications.

As a non-partisan organization, NSBA works proactively with elected and administration officials to promote policies that support small business growth and development. NSBA is the nation's oldest small business organization. It was founded in 1937.

A native of New Mexico, Mr. McCracken is a graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, with a B.A. in Economics.