The Empire Page

Mike Elmendorf was named New York state director of NFIB in January 2007.

Prior to joining NFIB, Elmendorf spent 11 years in the administration of New York Gov. George E. Pataki. Elmendorf brings extensive experience in state government, having served as special assistant to the governor and director of Intergovernmental Affairs. In that role, he was a member of the governor's senior staff and served as the governor's advisor on state-federal, regional, state-to-state and international relations. He was responsible for a broad range of policy initiatives, and worked with officials from across New York on the local, state and federal levels.

A longtime community leader, Elmendorf serves on a number of boards and is a founder of the nationally recognized Colonie Youth Court program.

Small-business roots run deep for Mike Elmendorf. He grew up in a family of small businesspeople and saw firsthand the challenges and rewards of running your own business. His mother and stepfather own and operate Fritze Jewelers in Colonie, N.Y., a family business than has been in operation in New York's Capital District for more than 60 years. His father spent many years in the bar and restaurant business in the Albany area.

Elmendorf is a native of the Town of Colonie, and received his bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from Union College in Schenectady.