Elizabeth Echols was sworn in as the Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on August 2, 2010. Appointed by President Barack Obama, Ms. Echols oversees SBA’s programs, services, and 120 employees throughout Region IX, which encompasses California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S territories in the Pacific.

SBA plays a leading role helping small business owners and entrepreneurs secure financing, technical assistance, training, and federal contracts. As part of SBA’s economic recovery efforts, Region IX has backed more than 11,000 Recovery Act loans worth nearly $6 billion.

Ms. Echols has distinguished herself as a strong advocate for innovation, sustainability, economic development, and job creation. Most recently, Ms. Echols served as Director of the Northern California chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, where she focused on developing public policy and forging alliances to support green jobs. She also served as a member of the Obama-Biden Transition Team co-leading the agency review process for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Previously, Ms. Echols served as Director of Policy at Google, where she managed the development and implementation of global e-commerce and content policies for over 40 Google consumer and business products.

Ms. Echols is passionate about providing opportunities to the youth and underserved markets. She served as CEO of OpNet Community Ventures, a nationally recognized non-profit that prepared low-income young adults for good jobs in the technology industry and helped them start their own multi-media businesses.

During the Clinton Administration, Ms. Echols played a leading role at the White House and the Department of Commerce. She served as the White House’s first Executive Director of the Electronic Commerce Working Group under Vice President Al Gore where she was at the forefront of developing and implementing the Administration’s strategy on global Internet and e-commerce issues. She also served as Senior Advisor to Commerce Secretary Daley advising him on domestic and international Internet and telecommunications issues.

Ms. Echols has been recognized as a “Mover and Shaker” by Business Week, and received the Gold Medal Award, the highest honor presented by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. She has been profiled in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Wired Magazine, The National Journal, and Working Women Magazine. Ms. Echols received her BA degree with honors in Economics and Political Science from Yale University. She earned her JD from Stanford Law School and served as an editor on the Stanford Law Review.