Ellen M. Thrasher is the Associate Administrator for the Office of Entrepreneurship Education, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In this capacity she serves as an advocate for entrepreneurial development through a variety of management and technical assistance programs and services designed for small business success.
As the Associate Administrator, Ms. Thrasher manages SCORE, a $5 million counseling and training program, composed of nearly, 11,000 volunteers operating from 379 chapters in over 800 locations nationwide. Since 1964, SCORE has assisted more than 7 million American entrepreneurs achieve their small business goals.
Ms. Thrasher also directs the Office of International Visitors, a courtesy service to foreign visitors and dignitaries showcasing for international visitors the "American small business model." Other programs under her purview are SBA's youth entrepreneurship program with its teen website, and the online library of publications on a variety of topics to assist small business management and planning.
Prior to her current position in the Office of Entrepreneurship Education, she served as Deputy Associate Administrator for the Small Business Development Center program, a $95 million technical assistance grant program of the SBA with over 1,000 centers across the United States and in its territories. Ms. Thrasher was also the Deputy Associate Administrator for the SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership. Ms. Thrasher is a graduate of the SBA's Senior Executive Service leadership program.
Ms. Thrasher's extensive career in public policy began on the personal staff of U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona. Over the course of 15 years, she served in a variety of high level positions including Legislative Assistant, Constituent Services, and Special Assistant.
Ms. Thrasher is active in numerous civic and community organizations, including the Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts Alumni Leadership Board and she serves on the Advisory Board for the National Women in History Museum. A native of Arizona, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University. Ms. Thrasher resides in Washington, D.C., with her family.