2009 Pennsylvania
Leadership Conference

State Budgeting in a Down Economy

Moderator:

Kevin Shivers, Pennsylvania State Director, National Federation of Independent Business

Panelists:

Matt Brouillette, Commonwealth Foundation

John Eichelberger, State Senator

Mike Turzai, PA House Republican Whip

Ralph Pontillo, Manufacturers & Business Association

Friday, March 27, 2009

3:00 - 4:00 pm

Moderator:


Kevin Shivers

• Kevin Shivers, Pennsylvania State Director, National Federation of Independent Business (click for bio)

(hide bio)

Kevin Shivers is state director of the National Federation of Independent Business - Pennsylvania's leading small-business advocacy organization. Kevin leads NFIB's grassroots and political activities. He is regularly quoted in Pennsylvania's major newspapers, business journals and trade magazines, and is a frequent guest on a variety of statewide television and radio programs.

Kevin directed NFIB's efforts that made health savings accounts a permanent and tax-free way for Pennsylvanians to save money to pay for medical expenses, protected the rights of private property owners by enacting the nation's toughest eminent domain reforms and strengthening zoning notification requirements, ratified critical changes to make Pennsylvania's unemployment and workers' compensation systems more fair and consistent with other states. Kevin also worked to make landmark changes to the state's procurement process ensuring that small-business owners have an opportunity to compete for government contracts.

Kevin has nearly 20 years of experience in the state's legislative and political process. Before joining NFIB, Kevinwas a spokesman for Pennsylvania governors Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker, served as press secretary in the Pennsylvania Department of State and worked in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

A longtime community volunteer, Kevin serves on a variety of government and community boards, including the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, the Workers Compensation Advisory Council, the Pennsylvania Food Employee Certification Board and the board of advisors for the Harrisburg Young Professionals. Kevin also is a member of the Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations. Kevin earned a bachelor's degree from Allegheny College in Meadville, Crawford County. He enjoys golf, running, fly-fishing and reading.

(hide bio)

Panelists:

Matthew Brouillette

• Matthew Brouillette, Commonwealth Foundation (click for bio)

(hide bio)

Matthew J. Brouillette (pronounced "Bree-Yet") is president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy, an independent, non-profit public policy research and educational organization located in Harrisburg. The Commonwealth Foundation is dedicated to advancing state-level public policies based on our nation’s founding principles of limited government, economic freedom, and personal responsibility.

Through regular print, television, and talk radio appearances across the commonwealth, Matt is a prominent voice in statewide public policy debates bringing the free-market, pro-liberty perspective to today’s political and policy discussions.

Matt is a board member of the REACH Alliance, a Pennsylvania school choice advocacy organization, and the Joshua Group, a Harrisburg nonprofit ministry serving at-risk youth. He serves on an advisory council of the E. G. West Centre for Market Solutions in Education at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in England, and is on an advisory committee for the New York City-based Atlantic Legal Foundation. Matt is also an advisory board member for the American Academy for Liberal Education in Washington, D.C., a national organization dedicated to strengthening and promoting liberal education through accreditation and research.

Matt received his undergraduate degree in U.S. History and Education from Cornell College and earned post-graduate degrees from Azusa Pacific University and the University of San Diego. Matt is currently working on his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration.

He is married to DanaRae and has four children, Miles, Liberty, Lindy Joy, and Samantha. The Brouillettes are members of Trinity Presbyterian Church of America in Harrisburg, and they live in Hershey.

(hide bio)




John Eichelberger

• Hon. John Eichelberger, State Senator (click for bio)

(hide bio)

Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. has earned the reputation of standing alone, if necessary, to make tough votes and difficult decisions. John is the legislator who requested the now famous "Bonus-gate" investigation. He has been recognized for his work on behalf of local government and business and regularly receives statewide press concerning his frugal management of taxpayer money. John is a strong social and fiscal conservative and serves on six Senate committees. He is currently chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee and vice chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee.

John is an avid runner, an outdoorsman, and remains active in numerous religious and civic organizations. He lives in Blair County, with his wife, Charlotte, who is best known as the health reporter for WTAJ-TV, and their three rescued Airedale Terriers. His son Johnny is in his senior year at George Mason University.

(hide bio)




Mike Turzai

• Hon. Mike Turzai, PA Republican House Whip (click for bio)

(hide bio)

Mike Turzai hit the ground running strong as soon as he was elected State Representative for the 28th district, representing communities in the North Hills of Allegheny County, in 2001. He quickly emerged as a commonsense, principled leader promoting fiscal responsibility, economic competitiveness and professional integrity. Mike was elected by the House Republican Caucus to serve as the Republican Whip for the 2009-2010 session.

Rep. Turzai has pushed hard to control government spending so we can reduce taxes on families. He has been out front in calling for a reduction in the personal income tax, a cut in the consumer electric tax and has fought for tax incentives for college savings.

Rep. Turzai has pushed for job retention and creation by advocating measures to lower overhead costs for employers, thereby incenting them to stay and expand here or start up and relocate here. He has lead efforts to provide real business tax relief. Mike has advocated for lawsuit abuse reform and a fair and balanced workers' compensation and unemployment compensation system.

Mike and his wife, Lidia and their three sons, Andrew, Stephen and Matthew, live in Bradford Woods and are involved in many community activities.

(hide bio)




Ralph Pontillo

• Ralph Pontillo, Maunfacturers & Business Assn. (click for bio)

(hide bio)

Ralph J. Pontillo, CAE is president and CEO of the Manufacturer and Business Association (www.mbausa.org) a private non profit employer association with offices in Erie and Harrisburg Pennsylvania. The Manufacturer and Business Association (MBA) is dedicated to providing information and services to its members to assist them in pursuit of their business and community interest. With more than 4,600 member companies located in northwest Pennsylvania, MBA is a highly respected source of information on critical business issues and there economic impact. Mr. Pontillo serves as editor and chief of the Business Magazine, a regional publication with more than 15,000 in readership.

Mr. Pontillo is widely quoted in international, national, state and local media print outlets and interviewed regularly on television and talk radio. In addition, he speaks extensively on tax, regulatory, health care, education and economic reform. Most recently Ralph was interviewed by 13 foreign journalist as part of the Jefferson Fellowship program which focused on the current global financial crisis.

Ralph is the Founder of Pennsylvania Business Week, a hands on intensive, in school, American economics education program designed to help high school students develop a better understanding of and appreciation for the American free enterprise system. Introduced in 1997 the program now boost over 10,000 graduates. Ralph is co-founder of Keep Pennsylvania Producing a web based grass routes program designed to help educate the general public and inspire a call to action on legislative reform that will restore Pennsylvania's competitiveness. He is also co-founder of the Manufacturing Alliance a state wide coalition of business associations and chambers that have successfully achieved significant legislative reforms in the areas of tax, regulatory and workers compensation. He is co-founder of the annual Roar on the Shore Bike Rally which drew 25,000 motorcycle enthusiast from throughout the United States to the shores of Lake Erie and raised $70,000 for the Shiners Hospital for Children - Erie.

Ralph has been described by the media as a "fierce defender of the American capitalistic system and a passionate spokesman on conservative economic issues". He is the recipient of numerous awards most notably the Everett M Dirksen Memorial Award presented by Pennsylvanians for Right to Work. Mr. Pontillo is a member and Past Chairman of the National Employers Association Group, as well as numerous local, state and national boards. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and a Certified Association Executive, a professional designation that recognizes the highest level of achievement and excellence in the profession. He is a graduate of Gannon University where he earned a degree in political science. He is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force.

Ralph resides in Fairview Pennsylvania with his wife Dana. He has three grown daughters, Nicole, Amy and Anne Marie.

(hide bio)