NEW CEO TAKES HELM AT THE ARIZONA SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 12, 2009 -- For Immediate Release (February 11, 2009, Phoenix, AZ)- ASBA (The Arizona Small Business Association) has selected Donna Davis as the new CEO of the organization. Davis, a successful entrepreneur and former president of the Phoenix Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, assumed the role on February 2, 2009.

“Donna Davis is a great addition to ASBA because she brings great energy, contacts and organizational skills that apply to small business. She herself was a successful small business owner and has worked with many organizations in various board positions,” says Kristine Kassel, 2009 ASBA Board President and Search Committee Chair.

Davis resigned on January 31, 2009 as President and CEO of DIR Group, Inc., a Scottsdale-based event management and speakers bureau she founded in 1994. The company has managed events for organizations all over the world including HP, Morgan Stanley, IBM, and produced two Inaugural events for Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, the SuperBowl XXX Half-time Show and the location production for the movie Jerry Maquire starring Tom Cruise. Davis has worked with many notable speakers including Jim Collins, Lisa Ling, President H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, and Terry Bradshaw.

“I am thrilled to have the privilege to lead ASBA. It is a perfect fit for my skills and vision to assist small businesses. Given the challenging economic environment, Arizona small businesses now more than ever need to tap into the services and assistance ASBA offers. We will aggressively focus on helping small businesses save money, make money and create opportunities. ”, says Donna Davis.
During her tenure as the Phoenix Metro President of NAWBO, the organization experienced a doubling of its membership base, and Davis was recognized with the NAWBO “National Member of the Year” award. "Donna is the kind of community leader that ASBA needs! As a past president of NAWBO Phoenix, she gained the resources throughout the state to succeed”, commented Lea Marquez-Peterson, a past Tucson NAWBO President and Business Broker at Tucson Biz For Sale.

Davis has served on such boards at the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, Chandler Chamber of Commerce, East Valley Community Bank, Herberger Theater Center and Women Impacting Public Policy. She has been honored with other accolades including the 2004 ATHENA recipient, U.S. Small Business Administration “Women in Business Advocate” for Arizona, and the Girl Scouts “Women of Distinction Community Service” Award.
In her new role at ASBA, Davis will oversee the overall strategic direction for the organization. Among her key objectives is elevating ASBA’s profile throughout the state, offering relevant and timely resources for the members and growing relationships with partners and alliances. “ASBA is one of the best kept secrets in the state and we plan to change that”, says Davis.

ASBA     AZ Small Business Association     ceo     Donna Davis