Regional Small Business Liaisons

The EPA Regional Small Business Liaison (RSBL) is the primary regional contact and often the expert on small business assistance, advocacy, and outreach. The RSBL is the regional voice for the EPA Small Business Ombudsman (SBO) and works with EPA regional offices and local partner organizations to share information, coordinate small business assistance, and implement program improvements. Please note that the role description applies to many but not all RSBLs as the role of each RSBL varies per regional office.

The Role of the RSBL

Policy and Planning: RSBLs often work with partner organizations to identify small business assistance needs, develop and implement solutions, and identify ways to reduce the burden of compliance on small businesses. For example, RSBLs can connect small business stakeholders with EPA rule writers to support small business input into the rulemaking process; advise rule writers on small business considerations; and ensure compliance assistance and outreach materials are written in lain language.

Coordination and Representation: The RSBL strengthens EPA’s work by staying informed of national and regional initiatives and sharing that information within the agency and with partner organizations. Within the agency, RSBLs coordinate with pollution prevention and environmental justice teams to assure small businesses considerations are incorporated into regional work. Externally, RSBLs may coordinate regional events, such as webinars and telecoms, with state SBOs and Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs (SBEAPs) to improve collaboration among groups. Additionally, RSBLs can involve small businesses and assistance providers in the development of compliance assistance materials.

Advocacy and Outreach: The RSBL works to ensure small business needs are represented in the agency and provide small businesses with straightforward and easy-to-access information. This is accomplished by connecting small businesses with regulatory and technical assistance resources; advising partners on delivering straightforward and accessible assistance; promoting voluntary and partnership programs to help small businesses go beyond compliance; and identifying partnerships that advance innovative environmental technologies developed by small firms.

Contact List

Vacant
US EPA – Region 1
5 Post Office Square - Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912
(617) 918-1111
Ronald Lockwood
US EPA – Region 2
290 Broadway New York,
NY 10007-1866
(212) 637-3413
lockwood.ronald@epa.gov
 
David Byro
US EPA – Region 3
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
(215) 814-5563
byro.david@epa.gov
 
Vacant
US EPA – Region 4
Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303-3104
(404) 562-9900
 
Andy Anderson
US EPA – Region 5
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-9681
anderson.andrew@epa.gov  
Vacant
US EPA – Region 6
Fountain Place 12th Floor, Suite 1200
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
(800) 887-6063

 
Gary Bertram
US EPA – Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7533
bertram.gary@epa.gov
 
Vacant
US EPA – Region 8
1595 Wynkoop St.
Denver, CO 80202-1129
(303) 312-6312

 
Vacant
US EPA – Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 947-8000
Vacant
US EPA – Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1200