Maria Contreras-Sweet | |
|---|---|
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| 24th Administrator of the Small Business Administration | |
| In office April 7, 2014 – January 20, 2017 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Karen Mills |
| Succeeded by | Linda McMahon |
| California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Agency | |
| In office January 4, 1999 – November 17, 2003 | |
| Governor | Gray Davis |
| Preceded by | Dean Dunphy |
| Succeeded by | Sunny McPeak |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1955 (age 68–69) Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic[citation needed] |
| Education | San Antonio College California State University, Los Angeles (BA) |
Maria Contreras-Sweet (born 1955) is an American businesswoman and former government official who served as the 24th Administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2014 to 2017. She was the executive chairwoman and founder of ProAmérica Bank, a commercial bank focusing on small to mid-sized businesses with a specialty in the Latino community. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Contreras-Sweet immigrated to Los Angeles, California and has since been involved in both the private sector founding a private equity firm and in public service as the California Secretary of Business, Transportation, and Housing under Governor Gray Davis.
On January 15, 2014, she was nominated by President Barack Obama to join his Cabinet as head of the Small Business Administration. She was confirmed as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration by voice vote on March 27, 2014. She assumed that role on April 7, 2014.