NGLCC Asks for Swift Senate Confirmation of Maria Contreras-Sweet as US Small Business Administrator

For Immediate Release

March 6, 2014

 

Washington, D.C. – The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce urges the swift confirmation of Obama nominee Maria Contreras-Sweet as the new administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Ms. Contreras-Sweet yesterday received a unanimous vote of approval from the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee across party lines. The appointment of Ms. Contreras-Sweet will now move to the floor for a full Senate vote.

 

“We could not be more pleased with yesterday’s vote and urge the Senate to confirm Maria Contreras-Sweet as soon as possible”, said Justin Nelson, NGLCC President & Co-Founder. “Maria Contreras-Sweet represents the very best interests of diverse-owned small businesses and has expansive experience supporting small business development both as an entrepreneur and as a public official. This is exactly the kind of advocate we need to lead an agency that represents all of America’s entrepreneurs”.

 

“We know one of the biggest obstacles faced by our small business members today is access to credit. As founder and chairwoman of commercial lender ProAmerica Bank, Maria Contreras-Sweet dealt with exactly that problem and ensured that diverse-owned small to mid-sized businesses had access to capital and financial services that they needed”.

 

“Maria Contreras-Sweet’s experience as cabinet secretary of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency only underscores her credentials”, said Chance Mitchell, NGLCC CEO and Co-Founder. “The Small Business Administration needs a strong leader who understands how to bridge government and private sectors to encourage investment and promote job creation. We know that Maria Contreras-Sweet will build an inclusive legacy for all diverse-owned businesses, and we strongly endorse her confirmation”.

 

 

THE NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (NGLCC) Founded in 2002, the NGLCC is the business advocate and direct link between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) business owners, corporations, and government, representing the interest of more than 1.4 million LGBT businesses and entrepreneurs. The NGLCC is committed to forming a broad-based coalition of LGBT owned and friendly businesses, professionals, and major corporations for the purpose of promoting economic growth and the prosperity of our members.