SCORE Adds Accenture Senior Manager and Business Public Policy Advocate to Board of Directors

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Dec 18, 2013, 10:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SCORE, – www.score.org - mentors to America's small businesses, welcomes to its Board of Directors, Nigel Stephens, a 15-year supporter of the American business community who has employed public policy, business development and community outreach efforts to help advance the goals of small business owners. Mr. Stephens' extensive experience in the corporate and political arenas has provided him with a unique perspective on both government and for-profit operations that is well-suited to the Board of Directors of SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration that has helped America's entrepreneurs start and grow their business ventures for nearly 50 years.

Nigel Stephens of Beltsville, Maryland, currently serves as senior manager for federal government relations at Accenture Federal Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accenture LLP, where he manages the legislative and policy portfolio for the Civilian and Public Safety business groups. Prior to joining Accenture, he served in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate in various roles, including: chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), professional staff on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for former U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), and legislative assistant for former U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn (D-MD). In addition to his tenure on Capitol Hill, Mr. Stephens served as the manager of government relations for the AIDS Action Foundation and as a government relations specialist for COMSAT Corporation. In these roles he developed key relationships and policy expertise in various industry areas, including small business, federal procurement, transportation, financial services, Homeland Security, healthcare and telecommunications.

"We are lucky and proud to add an asset like Nigel Stephens to our Board of Directors," said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. "He will bring important perspective and experience to our helm."

"I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to join the Board of Directors of SCORE," said Mr. Stephens. "I have witnessed, first hand, the impact small businesses can have on the economic viability, spirit and future of communities across our nation. I look forward to leveraging my experiences in the U.S. Congress and the private sector to advance the mission of SCORE."

To learn more about SCORE's Board of Directors, visit www.score.org/board-of-directors

About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 10 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE provides small business mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000 new and growing small businesses. More than 11,000 business experts volunteer as mentors in over 340 chapters serving local communities with entrepreneur education to help grow 1 million small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Connect with SCORE at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans and www.twitter.com/SCOREMentors.

SOURCE SCORE