The chairwoman of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce is taking charge of advocating on behalf of small businesses throughout the state.

Shirley Martin-Smith, owner of Adecco and Martin-Smith Personnel Services in Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita, is serving as chairwoman of the Small Business Council for the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.

Martin-Smith recently ended her term as the state chamber’s past chairwoman, after serving as chairwoman in 2003-2004. She remains a member of the organization’s executive council, and has agreed to spend the next year touting the benefits, challenges and needs of small businesses.

“I’m very excited about it, because this is what I know: small business,” said Martin-Smith, a former Lawrence mayor whose temporary-staffing businesses have a total of 15 employees.