Rosana Privitera Biondo, president of Mark One Electric in Kansas City, has been appointed to the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC).

The federally created NWBC consults with the president, the Small Business Administration and Congress about issues that are important to women-owned businesses. Privitera Biondo is joined by two other new NWBC appointees: Pamela Prince-Eason, president and CEO of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and Anne D. Shybunko-Moore, president and owner of defense manufacturer GSE Dynamics.

“I am honored to welcome these women to the Council,” said sitting NWBC Chair Carla Harris. “Each one of them has an extensive track record of not just successful business leadership, but also a commitment to the advancement of women in business.”

Privitera Biondo is a founding employee of Mark One Electric, which is one of Kansas City’s top 10 electrical contractors. In 1994, Privitera Biondo became president and owner, and today directly oversees daily operations of the company’s eight departments.

At the same time, Privitera Biondo also has been an active advocate for women and minority business owners.

Privitera Biondo’s objectives while serving the NWBC include meeting the government’s goal of 5 percent of contracts going to women’s small businesses, and eventually raising the number to 10 percent. She also wants to institute a program to support mid-sized enterprises, rather than only small or large companies.

Women entrepreneurs still face big obstacles as they build their own businesses, but NWBC executive director Amanda Brown sees improvement ahead.

“This is a very exciting time for the Council …” Brown said. “We have our work cut out for us, but I am very confident in the recommendations and impacts on policy we can have in the next year.”