The Air Resources Board (ARB) is pleased to welcome James R. Schoning, as Small Business Ombudsman.

 Schoning is the agency's liaison with California small business, part of Cal/EPA's expanding outreach program that includes eight Permit Assistance Centers throughout the state. Appointed by Governor Wilson on March 24, Schoning rounds out the team of ombudsmen Cal/EPA has been assembling to help the state's small businesses deal with complex environmental regulations.

ARB Chairman John D. Dunlap, III said, "Jim Schoning's wide-ranging experience with both the regulatory and business communities makes him a superb choice to complement ARB's Small Business Assistance and Compliance Assistance Programs." Schoning was formerly chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) that provides consumer protection in the field of automotive repair and oversees 40,000 small businesses, including 9,000 participants in the Smog Check program. He was responsible for BAR's $70 million annual budget and 33 field offices.

Before joining Governor Wilson's Administration, Schoning was a national public affairs leadership trainer with the Coro Foundation and Chief Administrative Officer of the California State Assembly. "With this addition to our staff, California small businesses can look forward to even more cooperation in finding cost-effective ways to operate in the state with the nation's highest air pollution levels. Jim's fresh perspective and creativity will be an asset to our Board," Dunlap added.