FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2023
Washington, DC. – The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBTQ community, is proud to announce that President Biden has appointed Jonathan D. Lovitz as Senior Advisor & Director of Public Affairs of the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
“We thank Jonathan for his many years of service with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and are thrilled that he will be joining an administration that continues to put the interests of diverse businesses first,” said Justin Nelson, Co-Founder & President of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). “Jonathan’s dedication to building an inclusive economy and nation is unparalleled. As the national voice of the LGBTQ+ business community, we are excited to continue working alongside him in his new role as Senior Advisor & Director of Public Affairs of the EDA.”
NGLCC, along with many partners in the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC), with Senator Bob Casey, Congressman Ritchie Torres, Congressman Dwight Evans, and other prominent leaders in business and advocacy submitted recommendations in support of Jonathan’s appointment.
As the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) plays a critical role in facilitating regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. Guided by the basic principle that sustainable economic development should be locally driven, EDA works directly with communities and regions to help them build the capacity for economic development based on local business conditions and needs. EDA’s grant investments in planning, technical assistance, and infrastructure construction are designed to leverage existing regional assets to support the implementation of economic development strategies that make it easier for businesses to start and grow.
Lovitz most recently served as a special advisor to NGLCC, guiding media, public policy and strategic partnerships. He previously served as Senior Vice President of NGLCC as well as the Director of nglccNY, the official New York Metro headquarters of NGLCC. He regularly speaks to national audiences and the press about LGBTQ+ economic empowerment and the vital role that business plays in creating equity for the LGBTQ+ community. Lovitz has served as the lead for the majority of NGLCC’s successful advocacy to include Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers in state, county, and city contracting across America– including victories in State of NJ, City of New York, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Orlando, Nashville, and many more. He is also the Founder & CEO of Lovitz Strategies, an NGLCC Certified LGBTBE® focused on public policy, diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) efforts, and communications strategies for corporations and nonprofits across the country.
“Over the last decade, Jonathan’s passion for inclusive economic development has helped propel many valuable pieces of LGBTQ-inclusive legislation into law,” said Chance Mitchell, Co-Founder & CEO of NGLCC. “The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration will significantly benefit from Jonathan’s insight and history of tireless advocacy for diverse business communities across the nation.”
“I learned how to be the best possible public servant and fight for communities in my nearly ten years at the NGLCC,” Lovitz said. “I am eternally grateful to the faith and trust Justin, Chance, and the NGLCC network have placed in me over the years, and I will always be a fighter for them and for the LGBTQ+ community. As I begin a career in the Biden Administration’s Commerce Department, I hope to keep fighting and winning for the diverse small business owners who power the greatness of America. Let’s make a difference!”
Lovitz is a regular commentator on MSNBC, CNBC, NPR, The Advocate, Out Magazine, among others, and has often spoken/fundraised for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, The Trevor Project, GLSEN, the Democratic party, and more. He previously served as Director of Communications + Operations / Acting Executive Director for StartOut, a national nonprofit empowering LGBT entrepreneurs. Prior to his work in advocacy, Lovitz was a respected stage actor and news anchor.
NGLCC looks forward to expanding the impact of its many federal government partnerships with Lovitz’s transition to the public sector.
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NGLCC MEDIA CONTACT:
press@nglcc.org
ABOUT NGLCC:
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses.
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