Joe Folsom was named District Director for the SBA in Iowa on May 17, 2004.
As District Director, Joe is responsible for the management and delivery of SBA’s financial assistance, business development and counseling programs throughout Iowa. He oversees both the SBA District Office in Des Moines and the SBA Branch Office in Cedar Rapids.
Joe came to SBA from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in St. Paul, Minn., where he worked for 27 years in rural community and business development.
He is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a Masters degree in Business Administration and the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics and Animal Science. In addition, he has completed graduate level courses in Applied Public Financial Management from American University in Washington, DC.
Joe has serves on the Iowa Rural Development Council and is its vice-chair. He also serves on the Small Business Development Center Advisory Council, Greater Des Moines Partnership Small Business Advisory Council, and the Central Iowa Federal Executive Council.
Joe’s community activities have centered on youth programs. He and his wife, Patti, have three children.