Kelly Loeffler Picked to Lead Small Business Administration

Kelly Loeffler, the former Georgia Senator, has been nominated by Donald Trump to lead the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) for his incoming administration. If confirmed, she would follow outgoing Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman from the Biden administration, and become the 28th SBA Administrator.

Loeffler is co-chair of Trump’s inaugural committee, as well as the former CEO of trading platform Bakkt. She’s had a nearly three-decade career in the automotive and financial services industries at companies including Toyota Motor Sales USA, Citigroup, and William Blair.

Loeffler earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the College of Commerce at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as an MBA from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. She is also a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter holder.

In December 2019, Loeffler was appointed to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate when Senator Johnny Isakson retired. According to the bio on her own website, she is a "self-made businesswoman and political outsider" who "pursued an aggressive legislative agenda to defend the values that had enabled her to live the American Dream."

"I am very pleased to nominate business leader and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, from the Great State of Georgia, to serve as Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA)," President Trump said in a post on Truth Social in December. "Small Businesses are the backbone of our Great Economy. Kelly will bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape, and unleash opportunity for our Small Businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive. She will focus on ensuring that SBA is accountable to taxpayers by cracking down on waste, fraud, and regulatory overreach."

"Kelly was a tremendous fighter in the U.S. Senate during the first Trump Administration, including helping to pass the first ever bill to protect Women in Sports," Trump added. "Prior to her tenure in the U.S. Senate, Kelly built a 25-year career in financial services and technology. Along with her amazing husband, Jeff, she helped build a Fortune 500 company from 100 employees to over 10,000, as Executive VP. She and Jeff also helped me secure the Big Election Win in Georgia!"

Following Trump’s announcement, Loeffler said on X, "As a fellow entrepreneur and business leader, I am deeply honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as SBA Administrator. Small businesses are huge for America. They’re the beating heart of our economy and the gateway to the American Dream. The America First Agenda will unleash a new era of growth and opportunity for job creators and innovators!"

As of the time of this writing, Loeffler has not yet been confirmed for the Administrator role. The confirmation process includes an investigation, submission of personal financial disclosure, and a background check. The nominee is then evaluated in a committee hearing, and a vote is taken. The nomination then goes to the Senate floor for consideration.

With President Trump’s inauguration to take place on Jan. 20, Loeffler is expected to be confirmed soon.