From the Director

Mrs. Kimberly Marcus has joined the senior leadership team of MBDA as Associate Director for Legislative, Education and Intergovernmental Affairs. In this role, Mrs. Marcus will serve as the principal advisor on legislative and intergovernmental issues. She will also oversee the Agency’s relationships with federal, state and local elected officials and its advocacy and outreach strategies.

“Kimberly Marcus is well-suited for this position in light of her experience in corporate and community relations with a special emphasis on economic development and diversity. Her first-hand knowledge of the trials, tribulations and successes of being a business owner will also add to her effectiveness,” stated Hinson. “I am delighted Kimberly is going to share her talents with MBDA and look forward to her contributions.”

Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Marcus was National African American Outreach Director for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) where she worked diligently within the African American community to emphasize the importance of the African American vote. Marcus has also worked for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, serving as Executive Director of its Public Policy Institute’s Government Relations office; and for the NAACP as Director of Economic Development. Even when Mrs. Marcus worked in the private sector at Strategic Research Institute and Bank of America, she was a champion for minorities and employees.

Today, I held a series of conference calls with MBDA staff and stakeholders to announce congressional approval of our proposal to realign our regional office structure.  This change will enhance the efficient delivery of funds and services to our mission critical programs—particularly, the MBDA Business Center grassroots network that interacts directly with minority business owners on a daily basis.

Greetings!

The Obama Administration and the Department of Commerce are committed to creating a level playing field so that all American businesses have a fair shot at creating the jobs Americans need and exporting the goods and services the rest of the world demands.  At MBDA that commitment translates into giving minority entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to succeed and opening up opportunities, often in areas where they have had limited success in the past. Winning federal contracts is a great example.

Supporting the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned businesses is a priority for the Department of Commerce and the Obama Administration.

And we’re making good on that priority. Last year, the Department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) registered the best annual performance in its 41-year history. It assisted minority-owned businesses in gaining access to nearly $4 billion in contracts and capital, supporting the creation of nearly 6,000 much-needed jobs. Over the last three years, our network of 39 MBDA Business Centers, has been largely responsible for generating $10 billion in contracts and capital while helping to create and save nearly 20,000 jobs.

Today, the challenge for MBDA– like so many organizations across the federal government – is to figure out how we build on that record while becoming more efficient.  A number of bureaus right here within the Commerce Department are facing a similar challenge, which has led, for example, to consolidating or otherwise cutting several programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), restructuring some units within International Trade Administration (ITA) and shifting the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) emphasis to regional innovation strategies. So how do we meet the President’s mandate to improve services to minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in an increasingly difficult budget environment?