BURNSVILLE

Becher named to board Stephen L. Becher, owner of a small business in Burnsville, has been named chairman of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Region V Regulatory Fairness Board.

Becher reports to national ombudsman Nicholas Owens, whose office hosts regulatory fairness hearings nationwide so small-business owners can express concerns about burdensome federal regulations.

"Stephen Becher will provide strong leadership, creative thinking and new strategies as the Office of the National Ombudsman continues its outreach to small businesses in the region to inform them of their rights to regulatory fairness," Owens said.

Becher is the CEO and owner of Home Owner's Resource Guide, which produces several publications, along with a website. He's at sbecher@homeownersrg.com, or 952-808-5550.

Saefke honored Steve Saefke has been named businessperson of the year by the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce.

Saefke, a consultant with QuestGrowth Partners, Inc., works with business clients who want to develop products, services and markets. He's known also for civic contributions, which include raising funds and publicizing the community's annual Fire Muster celebration. Saefke, 63, is a volunteer mentor for the Burnsville chapter of SCORE, a nonprofit association that provides business counseling to help small businesses succeed.

New drapery business Michael Esch of Burnsville, who is the chairman of Burnsville's planning commission, has started Custom Drapery and Blinds by Michael Esch. He's worked in the industry for 35 years, including as a former partner of Custom Expressions in Burnsville. It is a shop-at-home company, where Esch will go to customers' homes, he said. The business can be reached at 952-451-8821.

JOY POWELL

Is your south-metro business opening, moving, expanding or changing key personnel? Send your business news and notes to Dylan Belden, Star Tribune South, 101 W. Burnsville Pkwy., Suite 101, Burnsville, MN 55337, or e-mail dylan.belden@startribune.com.