WASHINGTON – Administrator Linda McMahon, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration recently swore in Althea “Allie” Coetzee Leslie as Deputy Administrator of the SBA. The swearing-in was held at the SBA’s headquarters in a gathering including agency staff and Deputy Administrator Coetzee Leslie family.
“I applaud President Trump for nominating Althea Coetzee Leslie and to the U.S. Senate for confirming her as SBA Deputy Administrator. Allie’s leadership background as a U.S Navy two-star Rear Admiral, along with her public and private sector experience will be an asset for the agency,” said McMahon. “On behalf of America’s entrepreneurs and 30 million small businesses I sincerely congratulate Allie and look forward to working with her on SBA priorities.”
Althea (“Allie”) Coetzee Leslie graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985 and subsequently received her MBA (Law) from National University, where she was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award (Criminal Law). Ms. Coetzee Leslie transitioned into the Navy Reserve in 1993. In her civilian capacity, she has worked in both the public and private sectors in municipal and state government, retail distribution, medical device manufacturing, and the Department of Defense. She has also worked as a small business owner. She was most recently recalled to active duty in 2011 and until her confirmation served as the Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L). In this role, she facilitated the Under Secretary’s leadership of AT&L across the offices of five Assistant Secretaries of Defense, eleven directorates, and several defense agencies.
About the Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. To learn more about SBA, visit http://www.sba.gov