Trump Names Director of the Small Business Administration’s Southeast Region

The Trump administration has named Ashley Bell its new Director of the Small Business Administration’s Southeast Region. He will serve as one of ten regional directors leading the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. His responsibility is to ensure small businesses thrive in the areas he serves. The former Georgia politician was most recently the Associate Director of External Affairs for the Peace Corps, and before that was a Special Assistant in the Bureau of Public Affairs at the Department of State. Prior to the 2016 election, the Georgia native was a Senior Strategist at the RNC. Ashley is a graduate of Valdosta State University, where he was President of the Student Government Association and founded the school’s chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. -- before he went on to earn his law degree from Louisiana State University. He will be sworn in on Monday and will be Donald Trump’s first minority appointment to an SBA regional position. “The SBA plays a critical role in helping to start and grow businesses,” Bell said. “Now, more than ever, the economy is growing and we must do our part to help America’s small businesses.” More here.