SBA announces new associate administrator

Paul Hsu is the new associate administrator of the Small Business Administration's Office of Government Contracting and Business Development, SBA announced yesterday.

In the position, Hsu will direct programs including the 8(a) Business Development program and HUBZone Empowerment Contracting.

"Paul Hsu is a great addition to the SBA," said Administrator Steven Preston. "As a former 8(a) program participant, Paul brings the hands-on perspective of a business leader who had to follow federal government contracting rules."

Hsu, an award-winning small-business owner, founded three successful Florida small businesses that produced, among other things, avionics and battlefield electronics.

In October 2006, SBA launched a series of initiatives designed to help small businesses receive more government contracts.

"His expertise will play a vital role in advancing SBA's ongoing reforms to help small businesses receive their fair share of federal contracting opportunities," Preston said.

Hsu has been on SBA's Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Board since 2002. President Bush appointed him as a member of the President's Export Council in 2003. He also is on SBA's National Advisory Board.

Matthew Weigelt is a reporter with Federal Computer Week, an 1105 Government Information Group publication.