Peggy Houlihan Named SBEA President
NSBA and the Small Business Exporters Association, a council of NSBA, today announced Peggy Houlihan’s selection as the new SBEA president. Houlihan’s appointment comes on the heels of the departure of James Morrison, who helmed SBEA since 2001 and recently left the organization to handle legislative issues for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
Houlihan has been active with SBEA for many years, and is eager to take the reins. A small-business owner herself since 1997, Houlihan’s specialty is export financing, overseas investment, global business development, and small-business advocacy, making her a perfect fit for SBEA.
Houlihan’s expertise in exporting is broad. She worked as a consultant to the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (Ex-Im Bank), developing, implementing and promoting the Bank’s Trade Association Partners Program, a national small business outreach project. Additionally, Houlihan served as President of the Coalition for Employment through Exports, where she spearheaded successful legislative and policy initiatives for competitive trade financing. Prior to that, Houlihan represented Bechtel in Washington, D.C. on a wide range of trade and finance issues.
Throughout the recession, exporting has remained one of the few bright spots for small U.S. firms, and Houlihan is committed to making exporting a more viable reality for small firms.
Taking over Sept. 1, 2009, Houlihan steps in during a critical time for SBEA as legislation to enhance exporting opportunities for small businesses awaits action. Her extensive background advocating for pro-small business exporting legislation will be a tremendous asset in the coming months and years.
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