Hector V. Barreto was the 21st Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration

Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...

, confirmed on July 25, 2001. George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....

 nominated him to the post. He resigned on April 25, 2006 following a controversial tenure as SBA chief.

Hector Barreto

Administrator of the SBA

In July 2001, Hector Barreto was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 21st administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration

Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...

. In this capacity, he oversaw the delivery of financial and business development tools to America's entrepreneurs. With a portfolio of direct and guaranteed business loans and disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, the SBA is the largest single financial backer and facilitator of technical assistance and contracting opportunities for the nation's small businesses. Barreto also sat as an ex officio member on the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

As administrator, Barreto met significant criticism for the Administration's response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Although the agency oversaw the distribution of over $5 billion to businesses around the country following the attacks, the Associated Press

Associated Press

The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...

 reported that most businesses neither requested nor needed such aid. This was later confirmed by an internal investigation. The SBA was also criticized for the slow response to the Gulf Coast hurricanes of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season

2005 Atlantic hurricane season

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...

. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/26/AR2006042600305.html

On April 25, 2006, Barreto resigned as SBA chief. Steven C. Preston was nominated soon thereafter to replace Barreto. http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/26/smbusiness/sba_barreto_preston/

He recently wrote a book "The Engine of America: The Secrets to Small Business Success From Entrepreneurs Who Have Made It!".
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