PRESS RELEASE
January 15, 2014

NHLA CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NOMINATION OF MARIA CONTRERAS-SWEET TO HEAD SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
NHLA urges swift Senate confirmation of Latina business and community leader who would be second Latino in President's Cabinet and highest-ranking Latina in the Administration

Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of the nation's 36 preeminent national Latino organizations, today congratulated Maria Contreras-Sweet, President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Small Business Administration (SBA).

With an extensive background in business and public service, from her leadership at ProAmerica Bank and as former California Secretary of Business, Transportation, and Housing, NHLA fully supports her nomination and believes that Contreras-Sweet will be a valuable addition to the President’s Cabinet.

The selection of Contreras-Sweet, fills the final slot in the president’s second-term Cabinet. Upon confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Contreras-Sweet would become the highest ranking Latina in the Obama Administration among the eight women and two Latinos will have Cabinet or Cabinet-level posts this term. Since creating its Latino Appointments Program in January 2013, NHLA has been working tirelessly to increase the representation of Latinos in the Administration, specifically at the Cabinet-level. While it has been our goal that the Cabinet consist of at least three Latinos in order to best represent the diversity of the nation, we are pleased that Contreras-Sweet (who NHLA recommended in a letter to the President on January 16, 2013) will join the Cabinet.

Looking forward to seeing Ms. Contreras-Sweet assume her new role, NHLA member organizations offered the following reactions:

"As a former California Cabinet Secretary and founder of a bank focused on supporting small and medium businesses, Maria Contreras-Sweet will bring to SBA a wealth of experience that will undoubtedly help empower more entrepreneurs and working families across the nation," said Hector E. Sanchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. "Her nomination comes at a distinct time when Latinas are among the most underrepresented groups in public service leadership roles. Ms. Contreras-Sweet will be an even more exceptional role model for our community and bring a sound voice with great perspective to Washington, D.C. Latino small entrepreneurs represent the fastest sector of growth among small business owners and are creating many of the jobs our nations needs as we continue to strengthen our economy. We also look forward to continuing to work with the President to ensure that talented leaders in our community, like our future SBA Administrator, are more proportionately represented in the ranks of those serving in his Administration."

"Upon confirmation, as the highest ranking Latina, Maria Contreras-Sweet will serve as a strong voice for small business owners across the U.S.," said Brent Wilkes, National Executive Director for the League of United Latin American Citizens. "There are over 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses generating over $400 billion in U.S. revenue each year and the Latino community looks forward to having a strong champion in Ms. Contreras-Sweet."

"The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) enthusiastically endorses the nomination of Maria Contreras-Sweet as administrator of the Small Business Administration," said Dr. Antonio Flores, HACU President and CEO. "Her experience in both government and small business and her active support of small business as founder and president of ProAmerica Bank will serve her and the nation well in this new responsibility. We urge the Senate to move expeditiously to confirm her in this critical post."

"I am delighted that President Obama has nominated Maria Contreras-Sweet to be Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)," said Roger Rivera, President, National Hispanic Environmental Council. "Like many others, it’s been my pleasure to work with her in a number of capacities, and she is superbly qualified to head the SBA. She is an extraordinarily accomplished business, financial, civic, and governmental leader. Her founding/running ProAmerica Bank; service on a wide range of corporate and non-profit boards; and able tenure as Secretary of the CA Business, Transportation and Housing Agency gives her the full range of experience to lead SBA. Her deep roots in the Latino and minority community will ensure that SBA meets the needs of under-served communities with renewed insight, intelligence, and commitment."

"On behalf of the National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives (NAHFE) we welcome the nomination of Maria Contreras-Sweet as the Small Business Administrator," Al Gallegos, NAHFE President. "We have full confidence that she will perform a tremendous job for the people of America. We also have great confidence that she will work within the SBA federal employees ranks to promote Hispanics, especially within the SBA Career Senior Executive Service arena."

"President Obama made an excellent choice when he nominated Maria Contreras-Sweet to head the Small Business Administration," said Ignacio Salazar, President and CEO, SER-Jobs for Progress National Inc. "This is a critical move in the right direction as small businesses continue to climb their way out of the recession. Her vast experience is impressive, and her deep commitment will propel the Small Business Administration to new heights. She is well respected in both the public and private sectors, and I urge the Senate to confirm her nomination."

"The HNBA commends President Obama for his nomination of Maria Contreras-Sweet as SBA Administrator," said Miguel Alexander Pozo, HNBA National President. "Latinos – more specifically, Latinas – are starting businesses faster than any other demographic. This is just one important reason why the appointment of Maria Contreras-Sweet to head the Small Business Administration is particularly fitting and necessary," said Pozo. "She is eminently qualified and we believe she will deserve with distinction."

"We congratulate Maria Contreras-Sweet on her nomination to serve as the next leader of the Small Business Administration," stated Arturo Vargas, NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director. "A dedicated public servant with a wealth of experience working in the corporate, non-profit and public sectors, we know Contreras-Sweet will be a strong asset to the agency and our nation’s small businesses from her first day on the job. We call on the U.S. Senate to act swiftly to confirm this accomplished nominee to lead the SBA and join Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez as the second Latino and final member of the President’s cabinet."

"Ms. Contreras-Sweet has long been a powerful advocate for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an understanding of the challenges faced by both small business owners and the workers they employ. She also has a long history of leadership in assisting minority-owned businesses, of which more than 2 million are Hispanic-owned. Ms. Contreras-Sweet will provide invaluable expertise to the White House and our nation as the next Small Business Administration Administrator. We fully support her nomination and encourage the Senate to confirm her quickly," said José Calderón, President of the Hispanic Federation.

"As one of the most respected leaders in the business and Latino communities of California, Maria Contreras-Sweet is a stellar choice for this post and will bring her very valuable experience and perspective to the president’s cabinet," said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza). "With her expertise in both the business and the government sides of banking and lending, the benefit to small business owners and nonprofits, especially in communities of color, and to our economy will be substantial."

"Maria Contreras-Sweet is a longtime respected leader in the Los Angeles business community and a champion of incorporating Latino entrepreneurs into the economic mainstream. She will prove an exemplary administrator of the SBA," stated Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF.

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Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole.

In January, the coalition launched its new Latino Appointments Program to identify and support junior to Cabinet-level Latino candidates pursuing presidential and state-level appointments. For more information, please visit www.latinoappointments.org and follow @NHLAgenda.

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American GI Forum | ASPIRA Association, Inc. | Avance | Casa de Esperanza | Cuban American National Council | Farmworker Justice | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanic National Bar Association | Labor Council for Latin American Advancement | Latino Justice PRLDEF | League of United Latin American Citizens | MANA, A National Latina Organization | Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund | National Alliance of Latin American & Caribbean Communities | NALEO Educational Fund | National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives | National Association of Hispanic Publications | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. | National Council of La Raza | National Hispana Leadership Institute | National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators | National Hispanic Council on Aging | National Hispanic Environmental Council | National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts | National Hispanic Media Coalition | National Hispanic Medical Association | National Institute for Latino Policy | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. | SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc. | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute