Bush designates acting SBA administrator

Santanu Baruah was nominated to be administrator in June; but the Senate has not held a confirmation hearing.

President Bush announced today that he intends to designate Santanu “Sandy” Baruah as acting administrator of the Small Business Administration. Baruah starts in the position Aug. 18.

On June 26, Bush nominated Baruah to be SBA administrator, but the Senate has not held a confirmation hearing for Baruah.


“I intend to help SBA carry on its mission as it navigates the height of hurricane season and deals with the current economic challenges and tightening credit opportunities for small business,” said Baruah, who today is assistant secretary of economic development at the Commerce Department.


The SBA handles small business contracting programs and helps businesses enter the federal government marketplace.

Jovita Carranza, SBA's deputy administrator, welcomed Baruah to the position.

“We’re very pleased to have a leader of Sandy’s caliber joining our team and look forward to working with him. There’s a great deal we still want to accomplish between now and January,” Carranza said.