WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Maria Contreras-Sweet, the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), today announced that Betsy Markey has been appointed the Regional Administrator of the SBA's Region VIII. The region is based in Denver and covers the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
"Each and every day, the dedicated men and women of SBA are focused on achieving meaningful results on behalf of the small businesses that create the majority of America's new jobs and drive our economy forward," said Administrator Contreras-Sweet. "As our Regional Administrator, Betsy Markey will lead our team in an area covering six states and serving over 875,000 small businesses. Betsy brings her keen insights and business acumen as a small business owner and her knowledge of the inner workings of government as a lawmaker to this critical economic region and will know how to get things done. Her energy, commitment to and passion for the people of these states assures me she will be a strong voice and also make her a perfect fit for this important role. She will ensure our core services of access to capital, counseling and contracting are reaching entrepreneurs and innovators in these important states and across the country."
"I am honored at the opportunity to join the SBA team, and thank Administrator Contreras-Sweet for the chance to serve President Obama's Administration in the final but most important quarter. I look forward to serving the innovative entrepreneurs of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, and making small business a big deal," added Regional Administrator Betsy Markey.
Markey is an experienced small business owner and was elected to serve as the Congresswoman for Colorado's 4th District from 2009-2011. She co-founded Syscom Services, and was also the owner of Huckleberry's Coffee Shop in Fort Collins.
A native of Cresskill, New Jersey, she attended the University of Florida, and received a Masters of Public Administration from American University. Her public service career includes working for U.S. Senator John Durkin and Congressman Herbert Harris, before being selected as a Presidential Management Fellow in 1983. She held positions at the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.S. Customs Service, before joining the U.S. State Department to develop computer security policies, creating the first comprehensive computer security training program. Most recently, she served as Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
ABOUT THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. www.sba.gov
Release Number: 16-05
Contact: Miguel Ayala (202) 450-0148
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
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SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration
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