SBA names two new directors to program offices

The Small Business Administration has selected new leaders for two of its largest program offices, the agency announced today. Art Collins is now director of government contracting in the Office of Government Contracting and Business Development, and Grady Hedgespeth is now director of financial assistance in the Office of Capital Access.

Collins has worked at the agency since 1993. Most recently he was deputy associate administrator for government contracting, responsible for overseeing and implementing contracting policies and managing departmental programs. He has also worked in SBA's Office of Technology and Office of Minority Enterprise Development.

A former secretary of economic affairs in Massachusetts, Hedgespeth most recently was chief financial officer and senior vice president at the Structured Employment and Economic Development Co., where led the implementation of a new financial accounting system and the creation of a new loan fund strategy.