A Breakfast Briefing by Hector V. Barreto Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration Introduction by  Eugene Cornelius, Jr. District Director U.S. Small Business Administration Louisiana District Office Wednesday, April 13, 2005 8:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. - Briefing and Discussion The Plimsoll Club, 30th Floor World Trade Center of New Orleans (Free validated parking in the WTC Garage)

About Hector V. Barreto

The U.S. Senate confirmed Hector V. Barreto by unanimous vote as the 21st Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration on July 25, 2001. President Bush nominated him for the post.

As SBA Administrator, Mr. Barreto directs the delivery of financial and business development programs to America’s entrepreneurs. With a portfolio of direct and guaranteed business loans and disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, SBA is the nation’s largest single financial backer of small business.

Mr. Barreto has a long history with the small business community. As a young man, he helped his father manage a family restaurant, an export/import business and construction company. His father, Hector Barreto Sr., helped found the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

After receiving his B.S.B.A. degree in Management and Spanish from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, he worked for the Miller Brewing Company as the South Texas Area Manager. In 1986, he moved to California and founded Barreto Insurance and Financial Services, responding to the need for financial services for Southern California’s rapidly growing Latino population. He later launched an additional business as a securities broker/dealer specializing in retirement plans.

Mr. Barreto is past chairman of the board for the Latin Business Association in Los Angeles. During his term, he increased membership by 50 percent, doubled revenues and created the Latino Business Expo, an event that focused on procurement opportunities, corporate exhibitions and business education. He also founded the Latin Business Association Institute which provides technical assistance, education and development opportunities to small businesses.

As a board member of the Minority Business Opportunity Committee in Los Angeles, he worked closely with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation to improve business opportunities for numerous minority groups.

Mr. Barreto has received special recognition from the U.S. Congress, the California State Senate and Assembly, the County of Los Angeles, YMCA and American Red Cross. Hispanic Business Magazine recognized him as one of America’s “100 Most Influential Hispanics.”