WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council has appointed Traci Tapani, Co-President of Wyoming Machine, as its new Chair and Mike Zaffaroni, Owner of Liberty Landscape Supply, as Vice Chair. Tapani succeeds former Chair Joe Shamess, Founding Partner, Flintlock Capital. The transition occurred at the council’s spring meetings in Chicago in late April.
Tapani and Zaffaroni are small business owners with experience running and growing successful businesses. They will bring their deep knowledge to assist in creating strategies on legislative, regulatory, and international initiatives to support small businesses around the country.
“Small businesses play an integral role in American society and the economy. Which is why it is so vitally important that they have a seat at the table when policies are developed that impact their workforce, operations, and communities,” said Claire Pozek, Senior Manager, Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Traci Tapani and Mike Zaffaroni bring deep knowledge and expertise in the headwinds and tailwinds that small businesses face and will help ensure our policy work is grounded in the real-world realities of entrepreneurs across the country. The U.S. Chamber is excited to have them lead our small business policy committee.”
Traci Tapani is Co-President and Co-Owner of Wyoming Machine, a precision sheet metal fabrication company based in Stacy, Minnesota. Under her leadership, the company has grown into a competitive manufacturer serving a diverse range of industries while employing a highly skilled workforce. She serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, chairs the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and was recently appointed to the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on the American Workforce.
A nationally recognized leader in manufacturing, Tapani is known for her expertise in workforce development and upskilling. She has led award-winning partnerships with technical colleges to build talent pipelines and expand access to high-quality manufacturing careers. Her leadership has earned national honors, including the Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead Award, and she has been recognized for advancing workforce solutions at both the state and federal levels.
“The U.S. Chamber exists to give every American small business a seat at the table and a voice in the debate. As Chair of the Council, I’m committed to elevating those voices, and I’m excited to work with Mike and lead this exceptional group of small business leaders as we advocate for smart, practical policies that help small businesses grow and thrive," said Tapani.
Mike Zaffaroni is the Owner of Liberty Landscape Supply, a Florida-based company serving residential and commercial customers across Northeast Florida. Since acquiring the business in 2007, he has grown it into a multi-location operation, expanding both its workforce and regional reach. Zaffaroni is a nationally recognized small business leader, named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Florida Small Business Person of the Year and the Jacksonville Chamber’s Small Business Leader of the Year. He is an active voice in small business advocacy, championing pro-growth tax policy, workforce stability, and economic opportunity.
“Running a small business has shaped how I lead and problem-solve every day. I’m proud to partner with Traci and support her leadership as Vice Chair. In this role, I’m committed to bringing that perspective forward-working alongside fellow members to amplify the voice of small businesses and deliver practical solutions that reflect the realities small businesses face every day," said Zaffaroni.
##
