SBA

The SBA’s Role in the SBDC Program

The SBA Program Announcement, which by extension is part of the Cooperative Agreement between the SBA and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo states:

“The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Program is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) largest matching grant-funded service delivery network providing quality customer service to the small business community. The SBDCs, in partnership with the SBA’s Office of Small Business Development Centers (OSBDC) [in Washington] and District Offices, develop programs and provide business management and other services that enhance the economic development goals and objectives of SBA and their respective states and their local funding partners.”

“The national SBDC program is directed by the Associate Administrator for SBDCs under the direction of the Associate Deputy Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development (ADA/ED). The local SBA District Director (DD) is the primary contact for direction of the delivery of services to the small businesses in each District Office area, and for monitoring and overseeing the SBDC Cooperative Agreement and the ongoing local operations. Therefore, the District Director has the authority and is directly responsible for negotiating the Cooperative Agreement that will effectively deliver the services and achieve Agency goals.” (SBA Program Announcement, 2006, page 1)

“[T]he policy of the Office of SBDCs has been—and remains—that if the SBDC proposal for funding does not include a signed letter of approval from the District Director, the proposal will not be funded.” (Email from Johnnie Albertson, Associate Administrator of the OSBDC, dated 10/25/01)

SBA Personnel

Steven Preston Administrator, SBA

Antonio Doss Associate Administrator, Office of SBDCs

Traci Giddens Program Manager for the Hawai‘i SBDC Network

Andrew Poepoe District Director, Honolulu Office

Jane Sawyer Lead Business Development Specialist

Kimberly Hite Project Officer, Honolulu Office