 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 corporate, 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 and his wife Robin have a son and two daughters and currently reside in
Southern California. |
