As chairman, Horowitz will serve as a liaison between the commission and business development organizations for various chambers of commerce and neighborhood business associations throughout the city.

"There's lots of ways the city can make or break a business without realizing it," Horowitz said. "A delay in getting a planning permit or a planning inspection can have enormous impact. The changing of traffic patterns for good reasons could affect a business as well."

The commission serves as an advisory board to the city council and redevelopment agency. All its members serve in a volunteer capacity. The commission also has an oversight role with business development programs in the San Jose Office of Economic Development, which range from supporting technology and international business in San Jose to financial and entrepreneur assistance.

Horowitz said the city spends millions of dollars on these programs. During his tenure, Horowitz would like to see the commission review these programs to ensure the programs are spurring business activity in the city.

His interest in small businesses began when Horowitz launched his own company in 1997. Since then, he has been self-employed doing corporate communications and public relations from his Willow Glen home.

His focus has been in the technology sector working with clients such as Mitsubishi and Oren Semiconductor. Although being self-employed affords him the freedom to set his own goals and schedule, Horowitz said the work can be risky and demanding as income can change from month to month and he's always on call.

In 2003, Horowitz heard of an opening on the 13-member commission. The new member would serve the final year of a previous member's three-year term.

"I wanted to contribute some time and give something back to the community," Horowitz said. "In the past, we've seen so many businesses come and go on Lincoln Avenue. It made me quite curious as to why the turnover was so high and what the city was doing or not doing to make that happen."

Horowitz applied for the post and was appointed to the commission by the San Jose City Council and mayor. In 2004, Horowitz was reappointed to a full three-year term.

James Charles, who served as the commission's vice chairman in 2004, said Horowitz is a dedicated and contributing member of the small business development commission.

"He's always willing to step up to a leadership position," Charles said.

Charles, owner of import/export business Eagle Eye International, hopes the commission can encourage the city to use local vendors when purchasing everything from signs to nuts.