NEW ORLEANS, LA.– Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s more than 34 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced President Biden’s appointment of Ava Dejoie Cates as Regional Administrator of Region 6, overseeing the agency’s programs, offices, and operations in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
“I applaud President Biden's appointment of Ava Cates as Regional Administrator and look forward to the valuable contributions she will make in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in Region 6,” said Administrator Guzman. “Cates’ dedication to enhancing workforce development in Louisiana exemplifies her passion for empowering individuals to achieve their aspirations and aligns with the needs of our small business job creators today, who rely on a skilled workforce to compete in today’s marketplace. I am certain she will play a pivotal role in building on the historic small business boom and driving economic progress in Region 6.”
Ava Dejoie Cates joins the Small Business Administration team with over 25 years of public and private sector experience in workforce and business development. A native of New Orleans, Dejoie Cates’ small business background is rooted in her family’s DNA and spans generations. Cates’ work ethic and commitment to excellence are deeply rooted in lessons learned from her family, and knowing that success comes with hard work, commitment, and faith. This belief was the guiding principle during Cates’ tenure as a member of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards’ Cabinet from 2016-2023.
During Cates’ tenure at Louisiana Workforce Commission, access to technology and training resources were made universally available through Tech Ready Louisiana. The Incumbent Worker training fund helped companies of all sizes to grow and expand. Cates was responsible for Louisiana’s roll-out of nine new Unemployment Insurance Benefits programs in response to the pandemic. Cates conceived and led the “Back to Work Louisiana” effort, resulting in the state recording the highest number of employed individuals ever and the state’s lowest unemployment rate on record when released.
“I am deeply honored to be named the Regional Administrator for the SBA’s South Central Region. I am excited about the opportunity to support and empower small businesses,” said Regional Administrator Cates. “I am committed to leveraging my expertise and resources to drive positive change and foster growth within the small business community. By working together, we can create a more vibrant and resilient economy that benefits the region as a whole.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact abigail.gonzalez@sba.gov.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.