The USHCC proudly congratulates Isabel Casillas Guzman on being nominated as Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration
The USHCC Board of Directors proudly congratulates and supports the nomination of Isabel Casillas Guzman by President-Elect Joe Biden to serve as Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
We look forward to continuing to work with the SBA to lead efforts for recovering the American economy, revitalizing Main Street, expanding procurement opportunities for America’s 4.7 million Hispanic-owned businesses, and increasing SBA programming and capital so that minority enterprises can scale during this new economic era.
“Ms. Guzman has a long history of advocating for small business issues. Her excellence and leadership will deliver a steadfast recovery to America’s more than 30 million small businesses with integrity,” said Ramiro A. Cavazos, President & CEO, USHCC. “We are proud to support her appointment.”
Ms. Guzman was a senior official at the SBA during the Obama administration, serving as deputy chief of staff to Maria Contreras-Sweet. In 2019, she became the Director of California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate, where she helped implement a grant program for businesses affected by the pandemic.
The USHCC actively supports the appointment of Hispanic candidates who are willing and ready to serve our country. The USHCC promotes the economic growth, development, and interests of more than 4.7 million Hispanic-owned businesses that aggregately contribute over $800 billion to the American economy every year. The USHCC also serves as a platform for our nationwide network of more than 260 local Hispanic chambers of commerce.
The Hispanic demographic accounts for approximately 20% of all Americans. However, in our modern history, there has never been equitable representation in the United States Congress or in other key political appointments. This is a unique opportunity to create a systemic paradigm shift of inclusion and equality in this new Administration.
“Voices of diversity, especially Hispanics who account for 61 million of the U.S. population, will only help to effectuate the change needed to improve quality of life and ensure economic vitality for all Americans. We need leaders that reflect the diversity of America,” added Cavazos.
The 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. It also manages many important small business programs including COVID-19 economic relief programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Impact Disaster Loans (EIDL), the 7(a) and 8(a) programs, and many more.
The USHCC remains committed to working with the U.S. Small Business Administration across our country to bring valuable and necessary technical assistance and capital to all entrepreneurs seeking to establish or further scale their enterprise. Through continued collaboration with the SBA, we will build back the American economy.
