About Small Business California

Small businesses are the backbone of California’s economy. They provide flexibility and quick response to social and economic changes. Small Businesses create a pool of entrepreneurial experimentation from which successful firms emerge. And, small businesses provide economic opportunity for women and minorities.

Our Mission

Small Business California is a proactive, non-partisan business advocacy organization whose only agenda is the well being of California small businesses.  Working for all California small businesses for a better business environment.  SB-Cal is responsive to the needs of California small business owners.

Our Vision

SB-Cal is the go-to organization for translating California small business concerns into meaningful government action.  When SB-Cal speaks, our government listens and acts.

Our Board of Directors

Hank Ryan (Executive Director)            expanded bio (web) (Word)

A founder of several successful small businesses, Hank Ryan is a leader in developing end user energy policy. He is currently a consulting policy advocate for the San Francisco Small Business Advocates, San Francisco Small Business Network and the Center for Small Business and the Environment. He represents CA small business interests as an Intervener in the California Public Utility Commission Energy Efficiency proceedings. Mr. Ryan is the principal of Efficiency Data & Development, an energy efficiency consulting firm.

With 26 years of experience in end user energy efficiency Mr. Ryan has developed programs and implemented projects throughout the United States and in 1990, an "Eco-Sister City" project in Milanowek, Poland. Mr. Ryan is the founder of Small Town Shops, a 34 year old successful clothing and gift store he opened in 1971.  He was also, beginning in 1985, the founder and operator of Cafe de Olla, a full service restaurant which received the Connecticut Magazine "Best New Restaurant" award for Litchfield County in 1988.

Scott Hauge (President)  

  bio

Scott Hauge is president and owner of CAL Insurance & Associates, Inc. located in San Francisco. CAL Insurance specializes in providing insurance for small to medium sized businesses. The company was founded in 1927 and currently has 30 employees.

Mr. Hauge has been a leading advocate in paving the way for small and medium sized businesses. He has introduced government legislation that has affected business on local, state and national levels. He is considered one of the insurance industry’s leaders in setting guidelines and has received numerous awards and countless commendations for his efforts. Most recently Mr. Hauge was named Small Business Advocate of the Year 2007 by the National Small Business Association (NSBA).

Tom Martin (Vice-President)

Tom Martin is the owner of People Management Professionals, a human resources and safety consulting firm. He has more than 28 years of experience in all phases of human resources and has nine years of experience as a legislative analyst.

Mr. Martin is a Board member and past-secretary of the Small Manufacturers Association of California. He has assisted in the drafting of legislation and has testified at numerous legislative hearings. He authors a monthly newsletter on legislation effecting manufacturers, human resources and the potential impact on California’s employers.

Frances Laskey  (Secretary)     bio

Frances Laskey is the Director of Human Resources and IT Manager for Berkeley Policy Associates, a small, employee owned company that conducts social policy research for governments, businesses and foundations.

Ms. Laskey is the past chair of the East Bay Employer Advisory council and is the president of the California Employer Advisory Council. She has given presentations at local and national events on issues connected with employee ownership.

SB-Cal Board Officers

Cecile Bereal   bio

Cecile J. Bereal has worked in the Human Resource field for over 20 years.  She is the President and CEO of RMA Management Alliance, Inc., a Human Resources consulting, training, coaching, and organizational management firm.  Her company specializes in the “ATIONS” – employee relations, investigations, mediations, facilitations, and collaborations. 

Ms Bereal is particularly knowledgeable—and considered an expert-- in the sensitive area of sexual harassment.  She is frequently brought in to coach managers who have had allegations of inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature filed against them.  Based on her facilitative and educational styles of coaching, managers have dramatically changed their behaviors, eliminating or minimizing the risks for litigation.  Most recently, Ms. Bereal received the WBCC Affiliate Award "Woman of the Year" at the NAWBO 2007 BRAVO! AWARDS.

Stephen Cornell

Stephen Cornell is owner of Brownies Hardware, a retail hardware store in San Francisco.  The store was started in 1905 and Stephen has been the owner since 1974.

Has been active in small business activities for almost 30 years. Has been the president of and still remains active on the boards of the following organizations: Polk District Merchants, the Council of District Merchants, and the Small Business Network. Has been on the board of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce .  He was on the Small Business Commission under two San Francisco Mayors. Presently he is the chairperson of The Small Business Advocates.

Michael Hamman

Our newest edition to the board, Michael Hamman, is a general contractor with over 30 years experience.  He is an officer of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and has been active in city land use issues for over 20 years.  He is past chair of the San Francisco Code Advisory Committee and has been a teacher and developer of curriculum for the Building Education Center for over 20 years. 

Ginne Mistal

For 23 years, Ginne Mistal owned Bechelli Cleaners, with two locations in Redding, California and one in Mount Shasta, California. The company employed fifteen people. Ms. Mistal recently sold the company, however she is still active professionally in real estate and insurance.

Ms. Mistal has extensive experience as an advocate for small businesses and has served on numerous local, state and national boards and committees. She has received numerous awards for her efforts.

Patricia Olson               expanded bio (web)

Patricia Olson is owner of SB Accounting Solutions, and comes by her entrepreneurial spirit honestly. Her father owned and operated his own business as a Pest Control Operator. Her mother, though originally a homemaker, started her own business as a Real Estate/Owner Broker with 13 agents underneath her.

In the course of running SB Accounting Solutions, Patricia has become involved with various organizations. A former Vice President of NAWBO, she is now a delegate to the Board. She serves on the Small Business Advisory Council for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as Secretary for Small Business Network and works with Small Business California to address the issue of health care for small business owners.

Man Phan

Man Phan works with an architecture firm, and has spent many years in San Diego.  In San Diego, he was very involved with local business associations and local government including:  The Asian Business Association, City Council, and Board of Supervisors.  He is currently based in Sacramento and affiliated with the Sacramento Asian Chamber.  They are focused on small business here in the region, but are looking at developing more of a state wide presence through affiliations with local Asian business groups/chambers around the state.  Although his firm is right at the upper edge of small business size, (it ranges from 90 to 130 employees), he feels that small business concerns all apply.