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Karl Ottosen, veteran lobbyist and business owner has been with USFSB since 1983, when the company was founded by Paul Cardamone. USFSB is fortunate to have an experienced businessman such as Karl as our representative in Washington, DC to advocate for small businesses.
Karl grew up on Long Island, New York. As a teenager, he began his business career with a paper route and then a lawn service, which he expanded into a handyman business that employed several of his friends. Upon graduation from The American University, in Washington, DC, and after working throughout college on Capitol Hill, Karl returned to Long Island and opened a convenience store. The previous six owners, in as many years, failed faster than the owner before him. A blend of youthful enthusiasm, long hours and hard work, ensured Karl’s success. When he sold the business two and a half years later, the new owners not only kept it going, but expanded the business.
Then, Karl moved on to his other passion, politics. Throughout the 70’s and early 80’s, Karl ran campaigns, in many states, for Governor, Senator, and Congress and he worked for several political organizations. In 1980, Karl made history when he managed the campaign of Al D’Amato for New York Senator. Usually 98% of incumbents win re-election, but this successful campaign toppled a long-standing Senator, who was considered unbeatable.
In 1984, Karl founded Ottosen & Associates, which soon became a success. One year later, Karl started a security alarm company in New Jersey. This business sold, installed and serviced burglar and fire alarms, in addition to access control and closed circuit TV. Karl’s partner ran the security company, while Karl continued to grow and develop his lobbying and consulting firm in Washington.
In 1990, Karl became the sole owner of the security company and, in 1999, he opened a second location in Delaware. The Delaware operation earned the “Rookie of the Year” award for its rapid growth. Currently, each company employs over 10 people and continues to grow each year.
Ottosen & Associates continues to lobby for small business owners, through USFSB. Other clients include small business owners, Fortune 500 companies, colleges and universities.
As an advocate for small businesses, Karl’s experience and expertise is a benefit to the Members of USFSB. Karl, over the years, has worked on legislation and with regulatory agencies, on both the federal and state levels. For example, notable policy areas where Ottosen & Associates have gained lobbying victories are helping to pass Medical Savings Accounts for Small Business owners, tax cuts, federal paperwork reductions, and eliminating the death tax.
Karl has also set up and administered several Political Action Committees, including Small Biz PACs. PACs are legal entities allowing employees or association members to pool their money in order to contribute to political candidates.
USFSB is honored to have Karl Ottosen speaking out for the interests of its Members. Karl is a unique and talented individual who has been involved with USFSB from its onset, has years of lobbying expertise and has gone through the struggles that most small business owners have gone through when starting up their own companies.
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