Raymond P. Marchiori is the Office of Advocacy’s Regional Advocate for Region V, covering Illinois , Indiana , Michigan , Minnesota , Ohio and Wisconsin . He is the direct link between small business owners, state and local government agencies, state legislators, small business associations, and the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration

Ray’s background is one of public service. He has extensive local, state, and federal government experience. Most recently, Ray served as Chief of Staff to the Administrator for the Rural Development/Rural Utilities Service at the United States Department of Agriculture. There he focused on the President’s Rural Broadband Deployment Initiative and the Rural Utilities Service management plan. Previously Ray served as a Commissioner of the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, the Executive Director of the DuPage County (IL) Workforce Board and worked in both the legislative and executive branches of Illinois state government.

As a Regional Advocate, Ray helps identify new issues and concerns of small business owners. He also monitors the impact of federal and state policies on small business at the local level and works closely with local government officials, state officials and legislators, and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to develop programs and policies that help, rather than hinder, small business growth.

Ray grew up working in his family’s restaurant, which his mother still runs in Hennepin, IL . In high school he started a small business that helped pay his way through college.

Ray received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois . He resides in Arlington Heights , Illinois with his wife, Terri Marchiori, and their three boys: Jack, Joey and Matthew.