Robert Nelson is currently serving as the acting regional administrator for the United States Small Business Administration covering the six New England states. He is also the district director of SBA’s Massachusetts District Office. The New England Regional Office and the Massachusetts District Office are both located in the O’Neill Federal Building in Boston.
As acting regional administrator, Nelson is responsible for the delivery and management of SBA’s small business, financial assistance, and business development program initiatives throughout New England serving a population in excess of 14.4 million with over 1.3 million small businesses.
During fiscal year 2011, more than $1.4 billion in SBA lending support was provided to New England small businesses in partnership with 235 lending institutions.
Nelson was appointed district director of SBA’s Massachusetts District Office on November 26, 2007. Prior to his appointment as district director, Mr. Nelson served as branch manager of the Springfield, Massachusetts Branch Office.
Nelson began his SBA career in 1998 as a loan specialist for the Connecticut District Office in Hartford, Conn. He joined the Massachusetts District Office in 2000, first in the capacity of lead loan specialist/chief of portfolio management and later as branch manager.
As district director, Mr. Nelson is responsible for the effective delivery of SBA’s financial and business development programs with a mission to counsel, assist and protect the interest of small business statewide in order to maintain and strengthen the economy. Mr. Nelson, together with a current staff of 13 permanent SBA employees, works to help entrepreneurs to start, grow and build their businesses. On the financial side, Mr. Nelson is responsible for increasing delivery of the popular 7(a) and 504 loan programs which help small businesses obtain access to capital. During his tenure as district director, Massachusetts has seen tremendous increases in the use of SBA loan programs statewide with records achieved in terms of number of 504 loans approved and total loan dollars approved. Massachusetts consistently ranks as one of the most productive district offices in terms of access to capital for small businesses.
In 2011, Nelson successfully completed the Excellence in Government Fellows program offered through the Partnership for Public Service.
Before joining the SBA, Bob spent a number of years with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as section chief of the medium/other assets division in the Franklin, Massachusetts consolidated field office. He also was a commercial lender for several New England area banks, including Shawmut R.I. where he was a vice president.
Nelson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Hobart College in Geneva, New York.