We’ve long known that Tribute customers are leaders by their participation in many of the industry trade associations. Many also promote the interests of small to medium sized businesses by their active involvement in professional organizations or chambers of commerce.

Jeff Scheininger is such a leader. The president of Flexline, a manufacturer of industrial hose products located in Linden, NJ and a member of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Jeff serves as First Vice Chairman of the board as well as chairman of the Chamber's Platform for Progress Healthcare Coalition. When he becomes Chairman of the NJCC in 2011 he will be the first small business person to hold that position in the 100 year history of the Chamber. Jeff states, “that speaks more to the importance of small business than to anything about me.”

Jeff was awarded the Chamber's Business Advocate Award in 2007 for his work to see that New Jersey remains competitive with other states, according to Joan Verplanck, president of the NJCC. Jeff works to ensure that New Jersey’s health care system is accessible, accountable, and affordable as the chairman of the Chamber’s Platform for Progress Health Care Initiative. He knows all about the struggles of business owners to provide health insurance to employees.

“I am humbled to be recognized as the Chamber's Business Advocate. The Chamber does vital work and I feel fortunate to be an integral part of their efforts,” said Scheininger. “As the voice of both New Jersey’s business leaders and employees, the Chamber speaks directly to the voters of our state. Our message is clear – if New Jersey is to be successful, our state government must consider the economic health of its businesses and citizens, it cannot function of itself, by itself, and for itself.”

The Chamber states that the major reason Jeff was selected for the award was because of his grassroots efforts to educate people on business issues. He communicates important legislative and regulatory matters to his employees so that they understand issues impacting his company. He also rallies support behind the Platform Health Care Initiative by personally reaching out to stakeholders from all over the state.

Due to his advocacy for small businesses and health care reform, Jeff was selected along with 125 others from across America to participate in the health care reform discussion with President Obama at the White House which aired on ABC’s Primetime (Questions for the President: Prescription for America) on June 24th. During the program, President Obama answered questions from those with divergent opinions on how reform should be implemented.

In his role as the chairman of the Chamber's Platform for Progress Healthcare Coalition, Jeff has testified before the New Jersey Nursing Initiative on the effect of a nursing shortage on small businesses and has appeared on the PBS show Caucus: New Jersey as part of a panel to explore the many factors that play a role in the dramatic increase of health care premiums, and possible ways for businesses to cut down on costs.

The chairman of IDCO, a highly regarded industrial hose purchasing cooperative, Jeff also contributes his expertise to this organization focused on negotiating competitive pricing with leading suppliers to the hose and accessories industry. Tribute salutes Jeff for his tireless dedication in promoting the interests of distributors and small business owners.

Picture: (l-r) Jeffrey Scheininger; Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula; Senate President Richard Codey; Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance; and Assemblyman David Wolfe were recognized Oct. 24 for advocating on behalf of the business community.

Flexline/U.S. Brass & Copper Corp
641 E. Elizabeth Ave
Linden, NJ 07036
phone: 908-486-3322
fax: 908-486-3352
www.flexlineus.com