Joseph F. Watters of Verona, NJ, president and CEO of Hoffman International Inc., Piscataway, NJ, was re-elected chairman of the Small Business Exporters Association (SBEA), Washington, D.C. The re-election was announced at a recent SBEA meeting and awards luncheon. The goals of SBEA are to assist U.S. businesses in the export of goods and services. The advocacy group also keeps business and government leaders aware of the special issues facing small- and mid-sized exporters.

At the re-election luncheon, the SBEA presented its Ronald H. Brown Export Enhancement Award to Stuart E. Eizenstat, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. SBEA also presented its Export Service Appreciation Awards to Arlene Coble, Department of Commerce, Richmond, VA, and to Thomas Rosengren, Department of Commerce, New Jersey District Export Council.

Watters will continue to lead the 150-member SBEA as it works in the new millennium to expand export opportunities for American businesses of all kinds. On beginning his second term as SBEA president, Watters said, “Our goal is to advance American business exports in the increasingly global marketplace of tomorrow. The SBEA must increase the level of knowledge about exporting among all American businesses, because export is the area with the greatest growth potential. Growth through overseas sales with small- and medium-size exporters means more jobs, improved capabilities and greater profit.”

In support of its objectives, SBEA and the Frank L. Roddey Small Business Development Center at the University of South Carolina jointly operate the Small Business Export Opportunity Hotline, a research clearinghouse for new and seasoned exporters.

For more information, call 800/243-7232 or visit www.exporthot.badm.sc.edu.