Rhett Buttle to Join Small Business Majority as President & Managing Director
Small Business Majority announces new senior leadership to boost the organization's mission as it begins its second decade of operation.
Washington, D.C.—Small Business Majority announced today that Rhett Buttle will rejoin the organization as President & Managing Director, ushering the organization into a period of growth as it begins its second decade. Buttle will manage the operations and staff of the growing national small business advocacy organization. Two other Small Business Majority leaders have been simultaneously promoted.
Buttle returns to Small Business Majority from serving in the Obama Administration as the Director, Private Sector Engagement in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and as a member of the White House Business Council. In his role, he was the main liaison between the Secretary's office and the business community, working to engage the private sector on a variety of healthcare policy issues, including the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Buttle also played key roles in many of the Administration's public-private partnerships and efforts to increase the quality of care and spending of public healthcare dollars more wisely.
Previously, Buttle served as Small Business Majority's Vice President, External Affairs. During his four years of service, Rhett led the effort to grow the organization in size and scope, launching eight regional offices and expanding the organization's range of policies and activities. His efforts led to sustained engagement with small business leaders across the country on a wide variety of issues, including healthcare, taxes, clean energy, retirement and non-discrimination.
"We are very excited to have Rhett back on our team," said John Arensmeyer, founder & CEO of Small Business Majority. "He brings a wealth of talent and experience in operational management, organizing, external relations, fundraising and policy development. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year after a period of substantial expansion, and we are very fortunate to have someone with Rhett's capabilities come aboard to help to guide us into our second decade."
"I am very pleased to rejoin Small Business Majority and its exceptional team as we move forward into a bright future," said Buttle. "My time serving in the Obama Administration has given me an experience for which I am forever grateful. I am now ready to embrace the management of an entrepreneurial enterprise, particularly a dynamic one like Small Business Majority. The organization plays a significant role in our nation's public policy debates and is doing so much to improve the opportunities for America's hard-working small business owners."
Small Business Majority simultaneously announced the promotion of two of its long-time leaders. David Chase, formerly Small Business Majority's California Director and National Outreach Director, will be Vice President, National Outreach. He will manage the operations of the organization's 11 offices in nine states across the country. And, Conan Knoll, formerly Small Business Majority's Director of Policy & Strategy and Director of Entrepreneurship, who has built the organization's rapidly-growing access to capital and retirement planning programs, will be Vice President, Entrepreneurship.
Rhett will start on February 16 and will be based in Small Business Majority's Washington, D.C. office.
Rhett Buttle is the incoming President & Managing Director of Small Business Majority. In this role, Rhett manages all of the operations and staff for Small Business Majority. This includes the organization's policy, communications, development and small business engagement work which has eleven (11) operation field offices in nine (9) states across the country.
Previously, Rhett served as the Director of Private Sector Engagement in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In his role, he was the main liaison between the department and the business community. In addition, he was a member of the White House Business Council, where he worked to engage the business community on a variety of healthcare policy issues, including the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Rhett also played key roles in many of the Administration's public-private partnerships and efforts to increase the quality of care and spending of public healthcare dollars more wisely.
Before joining the Administration, Rhett was Vice President, External Affairs at Small Business Majority. During his tenure, Rhett led the effort to grow the organization in size and scope, launching eight regional offices and expanding the organization's policy issue set. Rhett has also served in the Office of the President at George Washington University, worked on presidential, state and local campaigns and in the office of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Rhett frequently engages with the media and has spoken on business issues at the Harvard Institute of Politics, the Aspen Institute, and the Center for American Progress. He also serves on the boards of several different organizations, including the Board of Directors at the University of San Diego.