By Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland
June 23, 2003

During Sunday's Plenary Session at the 71st Annual Meeting of The U. S. Conference of Mayors, George Cloutier, Chairman of Partner America and CEO and Chairman of American Management Services Inc, was presented the first-ever Conference of Mayors Small Business Advocate Award. Cloutier was recognized for his advocacy of small businesses owners on a local, state and federal level over the past 30 years and for his tireless efforts on behalf of small business owners.

U.S. Conference of Mayors President and Hempstead (NY) Mayor James A. Garner outlined Cloutier's efforts on behalf of small business, stating, "Over the past 30 years, George Cloutier has demonstrated that he is a true small business advocate. He has used his professional expertise and personal talents to further the understanding and awareness of small business across the country and has taken an active role in creating opportunities for small business."

Garner also noted the significance of the Partner America program, a public/private partnership between American Management and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, designed to provide management expertise, technical assistance, education and government procurement opportunities to small businesses. In April, Garner hosted a Partner America event in Hempstead, which attracted more than 100 small business owners.

Following the award presentation, Cloutier extended his gratitude for the recognition of both his work and the significance of small business. "It means a great deal to me to have small business brought closer to the top of our national agenda, and finally acknowledged as a critical building block of the metro economy," he said.

Cloutier discussed the opportunities that exist for small business owners with the local, state and federal government. He encouraged the Mayors to help bridge the gap that exists between the small business community and the government, noting that small business growth will help turnaround the economy. Cloutier mentioned that Partner America was designed to help address this issue and stated that while the first few years have been a success, there is still a great deal of work to be done.

Cloutier concluded by sharing the personal rewards he has received through his work with small business. "While I work with small business owners for a living, it has become more than just a job for me. I look forward to going to work everyday and working with families, young entrepreneurs and all those small business owners who are trying to live out their dreams of owning their own business. It is so rewarding to see a business owner turn his or her company around and become even more successful than ever dreamed."