DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is proud to accept the appointment as chair of the National Association of Secretaries of State’s Standing Committee on Business Services. Pate will lead the committee, along with Delaware Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, through July 2016.

"I look forward to being a part of NASS’ national leadership on Business Services,” Secretary Pate said. "One of the things I have set as a high priority is for us not to move at the speed of government, but at the speed of business. To achieve that goal, we need to upgrade our technology in order to provide top-notch service."

The Secretary of State’s Office serves 211,982 business entities statewide. Iowa’s business filing fees are among the least expensive in the nation. During his first tenure as Secretary of State, from 1995-99, Paul Pate transformed Iowa’s system to institute biennial filing for businesses. This effort reduced bureaucratic red tape and streamlined the filing process, making it easier for business owners to operate.

"I look forward to offering Iowa’s perspective and sharing what I have heard firsthand from owners of small businesses across the state. My goal is to make sure that government is not a barrier, but a portal to help them," Secretary Pate said.

To view the press release from NASS, click here.

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