<<Back to Article National Association of Government Contractors www.governmentcontractors.org Former NAGC President to Run for Office in Kansas Dec 9, 2008 Washington, D.C. -- Former President and CEO of the National Association of Government Contractors (NAGC), J.R. Claeys, announced today his intent to seek the Republican nomination for Kansas Secretary of State in 2010. Claeys served as president from 2004 to 2008. During his tenure NAGC experienced a rapid growth in membership and national stature. Claeys pushed for national reforms to open up more contracts to small businesses by fighting contract bundling and spearheaded efforts to reduce the number of no-bid contracts given to large corporations. Claeys said the tough economy will be a major component of his campaign. "Small business is the backbone of this economy," said Claeys. "It's going to take hard work to pull out of a struggling economy, but I know our nation's small businesses are up to the challenge." He also wants to eliminate the barriers faced by military personnel when they vote away from home. While at NAGC he supported H. Con. Res. 388, a resolution that would help register military voters and provide assistance when necessary to facilitate voting. "The right to vote is too important to be mired in red tape," said Claeys. "Only 17 percent of our military men and women eligible to vote participated in 2006." Claeys is a native of Salina, Kans. and a graduate of Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kans. He earned his MPA from the George Washington University School of Business and is currently at the University of Kansas Medical Center School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kans. Claeys served as director of communications for the National Small Business Association (NSBA) prior to joining NAGC. He also served as spokesman for the Coalition Supporting Equity for Our Nation's Self-Employed, a coalition of business associations supporting tax fairness for self-employed health care costs, as well as the Small Business Coalition for Equitable Health Insurance, a coalition of businesses and trade associations supporting a market-based approach to health insurance coverage. Claeys has been quoted as an expert on small-business legislative issues in major publications, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune and many others. He has also appeared on national radio programs and television news channels representing small businesses throughout the country. While at NAGC Claeys served as a board member and later chairman of a national nonprofit conservative organization that offers scholarships to college-bound students involved in promoting conservative causes on college campuses. ONLINE: J.R. Claeys for Kansas Secretary of State -##- Article URL: http://www.governmentcontractors.org/articles/a.709.asp © Copyright 2005-2008 The National Association of Government Contractors