NFIB Names Patty Briguglio North Carolina's 2005 Small Business Champion; Raleigh Woman Business Owner Recognized by National Federation of Independent Business.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has named Patty Briguglio the 2005 Small Business Champion in North Carolina. Briguglio, President of MMI Associates, Inc., a marketing and public relations firm in Raleigh, was recognized for her leadership and contribution to the organization, as well as providing empowerment to other business owners.

"Patty Briguglio's activism and leadership is making a tremendous difference for NFIB's 15,000 small-business members in North Carolina," NFIB/North Carolina State Director Gregg Thompson said. "Patty recognizes NFIB is most effective when our organization energizes members of our grassroots network across North Carolina. She embodies the entrepreneurial and community spirit for which our members are known."

Briguglio serves on the North Carolina Leadership Council of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). She has been instrumental in forming and growing organizations that benefit women. She is a founding member of the Women Presidents' Organization, Raleigh Chapter, and has been involved in the National Association of Women Business Owners for over 12 years and currently serves on the North Carolina Board of Directors. She was inducted into the Women's Forum of North Carolina in 2004, and heads the Public Policy Committee. She is a founding member of the Triangle Business Journal's online community, bizwomen.com.

Briguglio devotes her time to a number of civic and charitable organizations including the Assistance League of the Triangle (ALTA), the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Pines of Carolina Girl Scout Council, and the Capital City Club's Big Bad Ball for the benefit of Hospice of Wake County. She most recently donated her services to Project Life Boat, a campaign initiated by the Triangle Community Foundation (TCF) and the Charities Aid Foundation India to raise $200,000 in 50 days to be used toward building and equipping boats in the Tsunami damaged area of India.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is North Carolina's and the nation's largest small-business advocacy group. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the consensus views of its 600,000 members in Washington and all 50 state capitals. For more information on NFIB/North Carolina, visit www.NFIB.com/NC.