Access to capital for small business is a day-to-day challenge, which is probably an understatement. Fortunately, the legislative leadership and the Patrick Administration has recognized these difficult times for small business and are formulating new initiatives that will streamline the Commonwealth's delivery system of financial services to small business. Senator Karen Spilka (D), Framingham, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology, is at the forefront of this small business movement and is extremely interested in getting input on capital challenges facing small businesses around the Commonwealth.

Keynote Speaker:
State Senator Karen Spilka (D), Framingham
First elected to the House of Representatives in a special election in the fall of 2001, Senator Spilka served three years in the House before her election to the Senate. She was officially sworn in as the State Senator for the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk district in January 2005. She represents the MetroWest, one of the most important economic regions in Massachusetts. Senator Spilka is a graduate of Northeastern Law School and holds a B.S. from Cornell University. She has been married for over twenty years to Joel S. Loitherstein, an environmental engineer, and has three children and three dogs.
 
Partner Perspective:
Bill McSweeney, Regional President, Sovereign/Santander
Ann DeBiasio, Vice President Commercial Sales, Eastern Insurance

Moderator and Sponsor: Shawn O'Rourke, Esq., Managing Partner, Barron & Stadfeld

Panelists:
David Paolella, President, Cambrooke Foods, Ayer, MA
David Strickler, President, Spencer Technology, Northboro, MA
Les Bowen, President, Materials Systems, Inc., Littleton, MA
Lynne Mastera, CFO, Precise, New Bedford, MA
Paul Kierce, President, ATC Technologies, Wilmington, MA

Program Sponsor:  Barron & Stadfeld, PC (click here to visit their website)