MBO Fights for Independents
MBO has championed independents’ needs and rights to do the work they love, the way they want for over 20 years. Here are some of the ways we’ve been engaging with government & industry leaders to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
What We're Doing
MBO’s advocacy work kicked into high gear as COVID-19 grew into a pandemic. Our leadership has frequently been on Capitol Hill, providing testimony to the committees and agencies drafting the government’s response. Making independents equal beneficiaries of the stimulus is a top corporate priority for MBO; we’re bringing that about by:
Ensuring Representation in assessments & allocations. Our Founder testified before the Bureau of Labor & Standards to quantify the size of the independent population and its resulting economic needs, as well as meeting with members of the Senate Finance and Ways and Means Committees to drive visibility on this group’s effect on the US economy.
Providing Insight & Advice to independents. We’re in communication with the Treasury Department and the Executive Branch to get early, actionable guidance on how programs work and who’s eligible so that we can make effective recommendations to our customers and the community.
Developing Services to Offer Assistance for independents. MBO’s Leadership is working closely with several global consulting firms that have been engaged by governments and financial institutions to implement the stimulus programs. We will simplify the channels & processes independents must follow to receive the assistance they need.
COVID-19 Resources
MBO is publishing tips and tricks to help our customers stay healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read our analysis and advice on managing risk while serving your clients.
Leadership Committed to Changing How We Work

Gene Zaino
Founder & Executive Chairman
Gene Zaino, an avid entrepreneur and nationally recognized expert in the next way of working, launched MBO Partners to reinvent the way independent consultants and organizations work together. He’s a passionate advocate for the independent workforce movement and is committed to developing the best practices and engagement tools that support workplace independence.

Miles Everson
CEO
Miles has worked with many of the world’s largest and most prominent organizations, specializing in executive management. Before joining MBO, Miles served as Global Advisory and Consulting CEO for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP (PwC), where one of his signature accomplishments was transforming the workforce through widespread adoption of independent talent.

Eric Rumbaugh
General Counsel
Eric has a nationally recognized practice in the area of contingent labor and regularly prepares and reviews policies, procedures and contracts and litigates contested matters for users and providers of temporary employees, consultants, independent contractors and other contingent talent.
Gene Zaino
Founder & Executive Chairman
Gene Zaino, an avid entrepreneur and nationally recognized expert in the next way of working, launched MBO Partners to reinvent the way independent consultants and organizations work together. He’s a passionate advocate for the independent workforce movement and is committed to developing the best practices and engagement tools that support workplace independence.
Miles Everson
CEO
Miles has worked with many of the world’s largest and most prominent organizations, specializing in executive management. Before joining MBO, Miles served as Global Advisory and Consulting CEO for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP (PwC), where one of his signature accomplishments was transforming the workforce through widespread adoption of independent talent.
Eric Rumbaugh
General Counsel
Eric has a nationally recognized practice in the area of contingent labor and regularly prepares and reviews policies, procedures and contracts and litigates contested matters for users and providers of temporary employees, consultants, independent contractors and other contingent talent.
A History of US and Global Advocacy
MBO Partners is continually involved in activities that shape the national dialogue regarding the independent workforce.
We participate in a number of initiatives to help champion the next way of working, including regular appearances on Capitol Hill to advocate for independents’ rights.
Advocacy and Research
- World Economic Forum: Charter of Principles for Good Platform Work
- MBO Partners’ Certified Self-Employed Proposal
- MBO Partners’ State of Independence Research
- Member, Coalition to Promote Independent Entrepreneurs, a network of private and trade industry leaders championing the rights of independent workers
Recent Press
- Zaino talks with Forbes, highlighting issues with the Paycheck Protection Program and EIDL rollout.
- Zaino talks with CNBC about the Paycheck Protection Program rollout and the need to help independent contractors get the aid necessary to help their businesses.
- Zaino is quoted in the Times of Entrepreneurship about helping small businesses get the aid they need.
- Founder Gene Zaino is quoted in Forbes about how companies are helping freelancers during COVID-19.
- Founder Gene Zaino is quoted in this article about the rollout of the Paycheck Protection Program and its many issues with the Times of Entrepreneurship.
- Founder Gene Zaino talks about the CARES Act with CNBC
- Chief of Market Strategy Bryan Pena talks about the impact of Coronavirus on engaging gig workers with Forbes
Stay Informed!
Programs and benefits are evolving rapidly. States’ responses continue to unfold, in parallel with the federal response. Sign up for MBO’s Newsletter, and we’ll send you updates when new benefits emerge for independents.
The information provided here does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. It does not take into account your particular circumstances, objectives, legal and financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information for your situation in consultation with a professional advisor of your choosing. This is a rapidly changing area of the law and will be subject to change and interpretation.