Who We Are

Small Business for America’s Future is a national coalition of business owners and leaders working to provide small businesses a voice at every level of government. We’re committed to ensuring policymakers prioritize Main Street by advancing a just and equitable economic framework that works for small business owners, their employees and their communities .

Join us to fight for small business and America’s future.

Small Business for America's Future Co-Chairs

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Erika Gonzalez, M.D.

CEO, President, & Co-Founder of South Texas Allergy and Asthma Medical Professionals (STAAMP) and STAAMP Clinical Research and Chair, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Before opening her own business, Dr. Gonzalez served 10 years in the United States Air Force. After being honorably discharged at the rank of Major with the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal, she returned to her hometown of San Antonio and has been actively involved as a business owner and community leader. Among many boards and advisory posts, Dr. Gonzalez chairs the Mayor’s Commission on Status of Women, is Chairwoman for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is a on the Board of Directors for Latino Victory Project, and was selected as a 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholar. Through her volunteer efforts, she works to decrease healthcare disparities and increase access to quality medical care.

Dr. Gonzalez is the mother of two young boys and considers this her most important role. She is committed to teaching her boys the value of service to the community and integrity in all they do.

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Shaundell Newsome

Visionary & Founder, Sumnu Marketing and Chairman of the Board, Urban Chamber of Commerce

Shaundell Newsome became an entrepreneur at the age of 14 while attending the High School of Graphic Communication Arts in Manhattan when he started a graphic design company creating tape covers, invitations and fliers for events. In 2006, he founded Newsome Marketing Enterprises in Nevada to serve small businesses. Two years later, the Small Business Administration recognized Mr. Newsome as Nevada Small Business Champion of the Year.

Today, Mr. Newsome is the Visionary and Founder of Sumnu Marketing, which was SBA Nevada Family Owned Business of the Year 2015. Mr. Newsome successfully transitioned his daughter, Tiara Flynn, an Air Force veteran and the firm’s first intern, into the role of firm’s principal owner and CEO, allowing him to focus on mentoring and championing small business owners nationally.

Mr. Newsome is an Air force veteran and author of The Twelve Steps of Marketing, A Perfect Guide to Branding. Mr. Newsome is an instructor for the SBA Boots to Business program and Nevada SBDC NxLevel for Entrepreneurs. He is Chairman of the Board for the Urban Chamber of Commerce Las Vegas and an Advisory Board member of the Nevada SBDC.

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Walt Rowen

President of Susquehanna Glass Co.

Walt Rowen is the president of Susquehanna Glass Co. in Columbia, PA, a business that has been in his family for generations.

As a kid, Walt loved playing in his grandfather Walter’s glass factory, and when he was old enough, he worked in the factory during the summers. It was only natural that when he graduated from college in 1975, he’d go back to work in the family business. The glass factory, started in 1910, was always a family business and in 1995, when Walt’s mother retired, he became president and the third generation of the family to own the company. Today, Susquehanna Glass Co. still sells consumer products to many of the nation’s best known retailers and employs about 75 people.

Walt is married to his wife Kate and has three children and five grandchildren. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in History.

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Anne Zimmerman, CPA

Founder & Owner, Zimmerman & Co CPAs Inc. and Treasurer, Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Zimmerman is the founder and owner of Zimmerman & Co CPAs Inc., a public accounting firm with offices in Cincinnati and Cleveland. Since the mid-1980s, she has provided financial and tax services to small businesses and individuals and acts as the offsite CFO for many businesses. Ms. Zimmerman has also co-founded and sold a number of businesses, including a large IT cloud company in 2017.

Ms. Zimmerman serves as treasurer on the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as the pro-bono director of services for many non-profit entities.

Ms. Zimmerman earned her CPA designation in 1986, being awarded The Elijah Watt Sells Award for achieving one of the highest CPA exam scores in the country. With degrees in both business management and accounting from the University of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University, respectively, she is a member of many professional accounting organizations.

Small Business for America's Future Staff

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Nazirah Ahmad

Senior Communications Associate

Nazirah executes media strategies and develops social media campaigns for Small Business for America’s Future. In the past, Nazirah worked with institutions such as the Institute for Educational Leadership and Finsbury Glover Hiring (FGH). Leveraging her experience, Nazirah utilizes her media relations skills by strategically positioning thought leaders and connecting communities through media.

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Rhett Buttle

Senior Advisor

Rhett Buttle has nearly two decades of experience working to engage business leaders and entrepreneurs in policy, government, and issue campaigns. He led business engagement efforts for The White House Business Council and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. He also led a national small business advocacy organization and serves as a senior fellow at The Aspen Institute.

Sammi Kerley

Small Business Advisor

Sammi Kerley supports Small Business for America's Future's work and projects, specifically small business outreach. In the past, Sammi worked as the Deputy Director of Membership at the FBI Agents Association, managing all member communications. Sammi has a background of grassroots organizing and communications for nonprofits including focus areas in higher education reform, global development, financial literacy, and law enforcement.

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Conan Knoll

Communications Director

Conan Knoll is a messaging and communications strategist, polling expert, writer, former journalist and small business owner. He develops communications campaigns and leads polling and research for Small Business for America's Future. In the past, Conan led the entrepreneurship program and polling and research practice of a national small business advocacy organization.

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Janel Knight Trulear

Communications Director

Janel Knight Trulear is a writer and storyteller eager to help break down complex subjects and develop messaging to build awareness. She develops and executes communications campaigns for Small Business for America's Future. Janel is also a former Emmy-nominated television journalist. For over 14 years she covered breaking news, politics, and social issues.