State Businessman Named To SBA Regulatory Board

BOSTON — Connecticut business owner Andrew E. Markowski has been named chairman of the US Small Business Administration’s Region I Regulatory Fairness Board for the New England states by acting SBA Administrator Sandy Baruah.

The Regulatory Fairness Board regional chairperson reports to National Ombudsman and Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Nicholas N Owens. SBA’s Office of the National Ombudsman hosts regulatory fairness hearings nationwide where small business owners may express their concerns about burdensome federal regulations.  

The Regulatory Fairness Board regional chairpersons participate in planning these events.

“Andrew Markowski will provide strong leadership, creative thinking and new strategies as the National Ombudsman continues its outreach to small businesses in the region to inform them of their rights to regulatory fairness,” said Mr Owens. “The regional boards provide an important service to entrepreneurs by working to support small businesses as they strive to operate in an environment where regulations are effective and not excessive.”

The ten regional Regulatory Fairness Boards are based in key cities across the United States. Each board comprises five members and serves as a resource and point of contact for small business owners who feel they have experienced excessive federal regulatory enforcement and compliance actions. 

The SBA Region I includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Mr Markowski is a partner in Gara & Markowski, LLC, a government relations firm based in Hartford. He also serves as the Connecticut State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business. 

In addition to coordinating the activities of the ten regional boards, the National Ombudsman also rates federal agency enforcement fairness, prepares an annual report on those ratings to Congress, and provides a voice for small businesses as they manage the federal regulatory enforcement process. 

Regulatory Fairness Boards were created in 1996 as part of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For more information about the Office of the National Ombudsman, visit the website at www.sba.gov/ombudsman.  

Mr Markowski can be reached by e-mail at Markowski@gmlobbying.com, or by phone at 203-626-5051.