Small Business Leaders Support Bipartisan U.S. Senate Action to Advance Dilawar Syed’s Nomination as Deputy Administrator of SBA

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Today, the U.S. Senate voted on a bipartisan basis to advance the nomination of Dilawar Syed, President Biden’s nominee to be Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Today’s cloture motion on Mr. Syed’s nomination passed 54 - 44-2, and a vote on final approval of his nomination is expected in the coming days.

Following the bipartisan vote, Rhett Buttle, Founder and Principal of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement:

“Dilawar Syed is a trusted and effective advocate for U.S. small businesses and the people they employ. Special Envoy Syed’s nomination to be Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration is historic, and he’s eminently qualified to be the first Senate-confirmed Deputy of the SBA in over six years. 

“With experience at the U.S. Department of State, as Chair of California’s Entrepreneurship Task Force, Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) Economic Growth Committee, and with significant experience and success in the private sector, Dilawar has been a proven job creator and will bring unique insights to help lead the SBA’s work to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.

“Public Private Strategies join business leaders across America – from individual small business leaders to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – in celebrating the U.S. Senate’s bipartisan action to advance the nomination of Dilawar Syed as Deputy Administrator of the SBA.” 

Since Mr. Syed was nominated earlier this year, dozens of small business leaders and organizations have urged the U.S. Senate to swiftly confirm his nomination. 

Small Business Roundtable:

Earlier this year, nearly 20 major small business organizations urged the Senate to confirm Mr. Syed. 

“Mr. Syed’s extensive viewpoint from his entrepreneurial experience at the federal, state, and local levels will allow him to be an effective leader at the Agency. His previous experience as the founding Chair of California’s Entrepreneurship Task Force and as chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) Economic Growth Committee during the Obama Administration also speaks volumes to his ability to guide America’s small business community through to recovery.

“As a former entrepreneur himself, Mr. Syed understands the challenges that the 30 million entrepreneurs nationwide face. We believe that his industry exposure will serve him well in delivering equitable relief and support to the small business community.”

Frank Spillers, Small Business for America's Future:

“Small business owners support Dilawar Syed’s nomination for deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) because he has proven to be a strong advocate for America’s Main Street entrepreneurs. 

“We’ve had a boom in entrepreneurship, including rural entrepreneurship, in the last couple of years and Dilawar has proven to be committed to ensuring small business owners thrive and are in a strong position to contribute to the country’s ongoing economic recovery. We are eager to work with him to help bring this to pass.

“America’s 33 million small businesses are a crucial component of the nation’s economy, employing about half of all workers, providing valuable goods and services, and leading economic activity in our communities. The SBA plays a crucial role in advocating for and executing the policies that will drive our ongoing economic recovery. The agency needs high caliber leadership to serve our metro and rural entrepreneurs.

“Dilawar has the skill and work ethic to get the job done and we urge the Senate to expeditiously confirm him without delay.”

National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE): 

“The National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce urges the Senate to swiftly confirm Mr. Dilawar Syed to serve as the Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Mr. Syed has extensive experience and expertise at the federal, state and local levels in addition to his own personal experience as an entrepreneur. Furthermore,if confirmed, Mr. Syed would be one of several AAPI leaders within the Administration, and his experience as the chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) provides him with critical insights towards addressing the needs of AANHPI entrepreneurs. 

“National ACE supports Mr. Syed's nomination to fill this critical role within SBA leadership to ensure that the Administration can best serve America's small businesses at a time when many face uncertain economic conditions and continue to recover from the pandemic.”

National Minority Supplier Development Council:

“The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) supports the nomination of Mr. Dilawar Syed to be Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The role of the Deputy Administrator at the SBA is a vital link between the NMSDC and the federal government to ensure equity inclusion for all small businesses in the U.S. Mr. Syed’s commitment to small and minority businesses makes him the perfect nominee for this critical position.”

“Mr. Syed’s dedication as an entrepreneur demonstrates his understanding of the needs of small businesses and the operational challenges of scaling a start-up to meet increased market demand. His impeccable skills and management astuteness are needed at a time when the SBA is pursuing its mission of running its core programs and ensuring business owners are aware of resources available to help their businesses thrive through the CHIPS, Science and Technology Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act.”

“We look forward to the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee successfully discharging his nomination from the committee and advancing it to the full Senate for confirmation. NMSDC looks forward to working with Mr. Syed as the SBA Deputy Administrator to scale small businesses and contribute to our nation’s economic growth.”

U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports the nomination of Dilawar Syed to be Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). We believe that it is essential for SBA’s senior leadership team to be in place to deliver on the agency’s responsibilities and we believe Mr. Syed is well qualified for this position.

"Dilawar Syed has an impressive background as an entrepreneur and understands the operational challenges of scaling a start-up to meet increased market demand. Those skills and management acumen are needed at a time when SBA services continue to be in high demand after the agency gained prominence from its role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As Special Representative for Commercial & Business Affairs at the State Department, Dilawar Syed has been a champion for American business in markets overseas. Throughout his tenure, he partnered effectively with the private sector to advance trade and investment priorities with foreign governments and ensure a level playing field for U.S business. We know that he will bring that same passion and commitment to SBA to help spur small business engagement and growth through international trade."

National Association of Women Business Owners:

“The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) supports the nomination of Mr. Dilawar Syed to serve as the Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. This vacancy at the SBA hampers its ability to perform oversight and to most effectively serve small businesses and entrepreneurs. His experience across federal, state and local government and in the private sector have proven him to be a strong leader with the expertise necessary to fill this critical leadership role within the SBA. 

“Given that many small businesses, especially those owned by women, continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, it’s critical that SBA leadership is fully equipped to address the needs of small businesses.”

Women Impacting Public Policy:

“Ahead of this week’s Senate confirmation hearing, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) once again expresses its support for the nomination of Mr. Dilawar Syed to serve as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The role of the Deputy Administrator is critical to the success of the Administration to best serve small businesses and entrepreneurs. Women owned small businesses (WOSBs) look to the SBA for leadership and guidance as it relates to their federal contracts, and without the gap in leadership prevents SBA from having complete oversight and perspective into federal contracting programs. 

“WIPP urges the U.S. Senate to swiftly confirm Mr. Syed to serve as the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration.”

In addition, Iowa small businesses have expressed support for Mr. Syed’s swift confirmation: 

Reginald McDade, Owner of Human Capital Strategies & Solutions, Ankeny, IA:

“Our economy, while showing signs of growth, is fragile. Small business owners like me, would like the assurance that the SBA is fully staffed and functional to help the needs of Main Street if there is sudden turbulence in the markets. We need Dilawar Syed on the job.”

Kimberlee Spillers, Co-Owner of Rural Community Solutions, Atlantic, IA:

“Dilawar Syed has shown grace and waited for far too long for a vote on his confirmation. The only issue his nomination should be tied to is the advancement of Main Street. I am confident in his ability to lead as second-in-command and should be confirmed.” 

Kelly Finn, Owner of FinnPREP, Cedar Rapids, IA:

“We need the SBA to be fully staffed to help small businesses succeed in an unpredictable economy caused by the pandemic. Entrepreneurs deserve all the tools and resources they can get including a deputy administrator.”

Rex Lawrence, Firehouse Bar and Grill, Davenport, IA 

“Dilawar Syed is qualified to serve as deputy administrator. I urge lawmakers to recognize that leaving this role vacant is doing more harm than good for small businesses. Main Street can benefit from his leadership skills and business background. I am urging lawmakers to move forward with a vote on his nomination.”