The Arizona Department of Commerce welcomes Vanessa Gonzalez to the position of Arizona Small Business Advocate. For the past year, Gonzalez has served as the agency's Legislative Director. Previously, she served as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs in the Office of Governor Napolitano. She worked as Communications Director for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) as well as staff for the CHC's Telecommunications and Technology Task Force which examined the impact of emerging technologies on the Hispanic business community.
"Vanessa brings strong advocacy and partnership building skills toArizona entrepreneurs," says Arizona Department of Commerce Director Jan Lesher. "Small businesses have been the backbone sustaining Arizona's economy in the toughest times, and there is no better time to help our State's small businesses grow and thrive."
Gonzalez will continue her work on legislative issues for the agency.