New SBA Administrator

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler Takes the Helm of SBA 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is the U.S. federal agency tasked with supporting small businesses across the country. As its leader, the Administrator manages the agency’s daily operations and works to empower small businesses through capital, counseling, and contracting services. The SBA Administrator plays a crucial role in fostering the growth and success of America’s job creators.

On February 20, 2025, the Senate confirmed Kelly Loeffler, former U.S. Senator from Georgia, as the new Administrator of the SBA.

Career Highlights of Kelly Loeffler

Kelly Loeffler brings a wealth of experience to her new position. She briefly served in the U.S. Senate after being appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to fill the seat vacated by Senator Johnny Isakson’s retirement.

Loeffler has an extensive background in business, having held key leadership positions in several major companies. She served as Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, Chief Communications Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer at Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the financial services firm that owns the New York Stock Exchange. Loeffler is also the founding CEO of Bakkt, a fintech company she launched. Earlier in her career, she worked at Toyota Motor Sales USA, Citigroup, and William Blair.

Following her confirmation as the 28th Administrator of the SBA, Loeffler shared her vision for the agency’s future in a Day One memo, emphasizing her commitment to strengthening the role of small businesses in America’s economy.

Loeffler’s Vision for the SBA

Loeffler’s agenda for the SBA includes streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and ensuring that programs deliver tangible results for small businesses. She is also focused on supporting America’s job creators in times of crisis, ensuring that the agency continues to serve citizens when disaster strikes.

Strengthening U.S. Manufacturing and Trade

A key part of Loeffler’s vision is promoting U.S. manufacturing. Many of America’s manufacturers are small businesses, and SBA programs have supported thousands of them. Loeffler is committed to advancing the “Made in America” agenda by rebuilding American supply chains and investing in manufacturing to strengthen both the economy and national security. As part of this effort, the SBA will transform its Office of International Trade into the Office of Manufacturing and Trade. This new office will focus on fostering economic independence, job creation, and fair trade practices, with the goal of igniting the next “blue-collar boom.” In addition, the SBA will collaborate with other federal agencies to scale innovative manufacturing and technology startups that will contribute to revitalizing U.S. production.

Loeffler’s focus will be on empowering small businesses and advancing American interests in a fast evolving global economy.

Welcome Hilary Vineyard!

Join us as we welcome Hilary Vineyard as our SVP, Business Development Manager in the Portland OR/Vancouver, WA area!

Hilary Vineyard is celebrating her 40th year in banking as she joins NWBDA. She has had the pleasure of serving consumers and small business owners for twenty of those years in retail banks located in New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Since 2003 she has served business owners in Maryland and Oregon as a Business Banking Relationship Manager utilizing both the SBA 7A and 504 programs.

Hilary graduated from New Hampshire College, Hooksett N.H. with a B.S. in Economics and Finance. She is a current board member of Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington and is a member of The East Portland Rotary Club.

Hilary is excited to establish new relationships with lenders throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho to work with her Business Development team to share the benefits of SBA 504 financing across the Pacific Northwest.

Hilary Vineyard: hvineyard@nwbusiness.org or (971) 480-7502