Joe Knilans

Joe Knilans is a dedicated advocate for small businesses, currently serving as the National Rural Affairs Advocate for the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Knilans previously represented Janesville, Wisconsin, as an elected member of the Wisconsin State Assembly. Following his tenure in the Assembly, he served as Deputy Director of the Office of Business Development under Governor Scott Walker, where he collaborated with small businesses statewide to reduce regulatory burdens. In 2018, Knilans was appointed National Rural Affairs Advocate, focusing on alleviating federal regulatory challenges for small businesses in rural communities across the United States. Before returning to this role, he worked as a regional sales representative for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

In his current position, Knilans represents rural small businesses and communities with populations under 50,000, championing their interests and fostering economic growth.