 Hector
V. Barreto served five years as the Administrator of the U. S.
Small Business Administration after being appointed by President George
W. Bush and unanimously approved by the United States Senate on July 25, 2001.
During his stewardship, the SBA exceeded all previous records in small business loans, women and minority owned business support, disaster relief and private-public sector procurement opportunities. Barreto directed the delivery of financial and business development programs to America’s entrepreneurs from a portfolio of direct, guaranteed and disaster loans totaling more than $45 billion...
Upon his return to the private sector, he has assumed leadership in a wide range of business, civic and charitable activities. Earlier this year, he was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve as Commissioner on the California Commission for Economic Development.
Mr. Barreto also serves as the Chairman of The Latino Coalition, a national organization that represents Latino interests with senior executives of many Fortune 500 companies and government agencies both federal and local.
In addition, Mr. Barreto serves as the Chairman of Business Matchmaking, the nation's leading non-profit small business procurement program. Business Matchmaking brings together countless entrepreneurs, including women, minority and veteran owned small business owners with procurement representatives of federal and local government agencies and several hundred major corporations. The four year program has been responsible for over 80,000 face to face meetings and facilitated the granting of more than $8,000,000,000 in contracts for small firms.
Hector Barreto is also the founder and president of Barreto Associates, a Southern California based international business consulting firm developing relationships between major corporati, government agencies and small business. The firm has extensive experience in marketing, fundraising, insurance and finance.
Aside from his private business interests, he is a frequent speaker and media guest, panelist and commentator on issues of concern to small business interests and major corporations and government agencies that impact growing companies.
Mr. Barreto recently wrote his first book "The Engine of America" which provides motivation and inspiration for entrepreneurs through the stories and ideas of business leaders nationally.
As a young man, he helped his father manage a family restaurant, an export/import business and construction company. After receiving his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, 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 needs for Southern California's rapidly growing population. He later became a securities broker/dealer specializing in retirement plans.
Mr. Barreto is past chairman of the board of the Latin Business Association in Los Angeles. During his term, he increased membership by 50 percent, doubled revenues and substantially increased procurement opportunities. He also founded a small business institute/incubator, which provides technical assistance, education and development opportunities to small businesses. He also served as vice chairman of the board for the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce..
He has received special recognition from many groups including the U.S. Congress, the California State Senate and Assembly, the County of Los Angeles, YMCA and American Red Cross. In 2006, he was honored by the President Fox of Mexico with the prestigious Aguila Azteca award, the highest recognition bestowed to a citizen of another country. He is frequently identified in key publications as one the most influential Hispanic business leaders in the country.
Mr. Barreto is a native of Kansas City, Missouri. He and his wife Robin have a son and two daughters.
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