March 26, 1997
REDMOND, Wash. -- Washington businessman Bennie L. Thayer, president and CEO of the National Association for the Self-Employed, has joined the Microsoft Small Business Technology Partnership Board.
The Technology Partnership Board is a joint venture between Microsoft, its partners and other leaders of the small-business community to bring the benefits of computer and information technology to small businesses nationwide.
"I'm delighted to become a member of the Microsoft Small Business Technology Partnership Board," Thayer said. "Microsoft has demonstrated how they were pioneers in the past, and once again they are pioneering in the area of building a bridge to small business. By forming the Technology Partnership, Microsoft has taken a leadership role in helping small businesses address technology issues in order to grow."
"Bennie has considerable expertise with a large segment of the small-business community, the self-employed sector. Through his position with the Technology Partnership, he'll be a conduit to small-business America, to help them grow in an increasingly competitive market," said John Coake, Microsoft Small Business Technology Partnership manager.
The Microsoft Small Business Technology Partnership is dedicated to identifying Internet solutions, tools and education programs to help small businesses start, run and grow. Microsoft organized the Technology Partnership in 1996, in response to small-business leaders and entrepreneurs who said they needed an organization focused on solving technology issues and needs for small business.
Thayer is president and CEO of the National Association for the Self-Employed, a national trade association of more than 325,000 members. He is also the majority stockholder and CEO of the nation's only minority-owned facilities based long-distance telephone company, Lightcom International, Inc.
Thayer was chairman of the Maryland delegation to the 1995 White House Conference on Small Business. He was also co-chairman of the Maryland delegation to the 1986 White House Conference. Thayer regularly testifies before Congress about small-business issues. He has been a leader in efforts to pass federal legislation to clarify the home office deduction, reinstate the health insurance deduction for self-employed people and ensure regulatory fairness for small businesses.
Thayer is renowned as a public speaker and has spoken on radio and television programs across the country to increase awareness of the self-employed. Thayer is also chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Lightcom International, Inc., a minority provider of telecommunications. He also serves as chairman of the board of Eagle Flight, Inc., a training and mentoring program for inner-city youth in East Orange, N.J.
In addition to Thayer, the Technology Partnership Board includes 15 small-business leaders representing or affiliated with a wide range of small business associations, three senior Microsoft executives and a representative of Hewlett-Packard.
For details about Microsoft's small-business programs, visit the Microsoft Small-Business Web site or call the Microsoft Small Business Hotline at (800) 60 SOURCE (800-607-6872).
Click here to see a list of the members of the Microsoft Small Business Technology Partnership Board.
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