In response to the Small Business Administration's
bungling of Katrina loans, Bush has recently tapped Steven Preston to take the helm of the SBA. However, as BusinessWeek is reporting,
Preston is being panned by industry advocates.
Unsurprisingly, their complaints sound awfully familiar--these critics say that Preston is a Bush loyalist with little relevant experience for the job. Some highlights:
- Unlike his predecessor, Preston has had no direct experience running a small business.
- Preston comes from a company (ServiceMaster) with a reputation for bullying small- and medium-sized businesses.
- ServiceMaster successfully lobbied the government to limit small business assistance to its competitors.
- In addition to having no entrepreneurial background, Preston also has no political experience.
So, in the words of Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Preston is "coming to the agency from a Fortune 500 company whose issues are nothing like those faced by the average small business owner." Indeed, his work at that company should suggest a downright hostility to small businesses. He's not fit for the job, but hey, he sure is loyal! Anyone else hoping for interesting confirmation hearings?
Ceterum censeo Republicanēs esse delendam