News by SB Informer

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San Diego Business Owner Appointed to SBA's Regulatory Fairness Board

SB Informer
Friday, July 7, 2006; 03:00 AM

San Diego business owner Stephen P. Cushman has been named to the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Regulatory Fairness Board for Region IX by Administrator Hector Barreto. The area includes California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and Guam.

"Sensible regulations are essential to helping America's 25 million small businesses," said National Ombudsman Nicholas Owens. "Fair enforcement of federal regulations lessens confusion and uncertainty and fosters a more small-business-friendly regulatory enforcement environment. Stephen Cushman will be a vital part of this process."

The National Ombudsman's office works closely with more than 35 federal regulatory agencies to resolve complaints about excessive enforcement of federal regulations during hearings held in cities nationwide. Established in 1996 with the passage of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, the National Ombudsman's office works with 10 regional fairness boards whose membership is drawn from five small business owners from each region.

"Steve Cushman brings to the Board over 50 years in small business and a first-hand knowledge of the regulatory challenges faced by business owners," said Dr. Ruben Garcia, SBA District Director of the San Diego office. "This is a perfect match for his talents, and there's no doubt that he will contribute greatly to improved communications and diminished disputes between small business and federal regulatory agencies."

A graduate of California Western University with a degree in business administration, Cushman is currently president of Cush Enterprises, a private investment and commercial real estate company. He previously owned Cush Travel for 25 years and went on to become the owner of Cush Automotive Group. Cushman is active in civic and community affairs and has held seats on a number of local boards. A fourth generation San Diegan, Cushman and his wife, Marjorie, have two grown daughters. The couple resides in Scripps Ranch.

For more information on regulatory fairness, call 1-888-REG-FAIR or visit the SBA website at http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman.