Frank Skaggs was appointed Director of Field Operations Center East (FOCE) on July 11, 2005 after serving as Deputy Director for five years. His responsibilities as Center Director includes planning, directing and coordinating the implementation of SBA’s disaster assistance program in the 27 states east of the Mississippi River, plus Minnesota, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from his office in Atlanta.

With a career in SBA’s disaster assistance program spanning 25 years, Frank’s seasoned approach to helping people finance their recovery from natural disasters of all kinds is remarkable. It’s a compassionate approach that has grown out of his care and concern for the victims. He recognizes the fact that many disaster victims lose everything they have worked for all of their lives in a matter of minutes and face months of rebuilding.

Under his leadership FOCE maintains a proactive posture in its role as a relief provider, with on-site professionals to help disaster victims with the application process. In fiscal year 2011, FOCE provided proactive support to disaster victims of over one hundred and sixty six declared disasters. Also, his care and concern for the disaster victim developed an environment for his staff to submit several nominations of worthy candidates for the National Phoenix and National American Spirit Awards. Many FOCE nominees became National Award winners over the past years.

Frank cultivates and fosters good working relationships with effective lines of communications with Federal agencies, Chief Executives of State and local governments, and non-profit organizations for the purpose of gaining their support and cooperation in the delivery of effective disaster assistance services.

This leadership ability was developed by managing several small businesses and his progression though a variety of positions within the SBA disaster assistance program. Frank is a native of Ohio and a graduate of Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky.