Linda R. Nelson was appointed Arkansas District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration on June 22, 2004, by SBA Administrator Hector Baretto.

As Arkansas District Director, Nelson is responsible for directing SBA activities in Arkansas, including the Arkansas District Office in Little Rock, and field offices in Fayetteville and Jonesboro. She is also responsible for oversight of SBA-funded resources in Arkansas, including seven Small Business Development Centers, six SCORE chapters, and two Women’s Business Development Centers. The Arkansas District Office is tasked with facilitating over 800 small business loans totaling $120 million each year to help foster community and economic development and create new jobs in communities throughout Arkansas, and to insure that small business owners have access to free management assistance and low-cost training.

Nelson has been a dedicated member of the SBA team for 26 years, and has served SBA in many capacities. She served as Assistant Director for Economic Development and Acting District Director prior to her current appointment.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Certified Public Accountant, Nelson is the recipient of numerous awards including the 1998 Supervisory Federal Employee of the Year and 2000 Outstanding CPA in Government. She is a member of the Arkansas Society of CPA’s and the American Society of Women Accountants.