April 8, 2019

The newest leader of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Sioux Falls is a native South Dakotan who wanted to come back home.

Jaime Wood, who originally is from Mobridge, is the new district director, tasked with promoting small-business resources across the state, including access to capital, counseling and training, government contracting and disaster relief.

“We are one of the best-kept secrets,” she said. “And one of my goals as the new district director is to put us on a path of greater engagement. It comes easy to me to talk to all types of audiences and really get out there and give the information.”

The Sioux Falls office, which is located at the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship, is one of 68 district offices nationwide.

“There are incredible resources, and they’re making a difference in the lives of so many different people,” Wood said.

Wood replaces John Brown, who retired last year.

She previously served as deputy district director for the North Dakota office and before that served at SBA headquarters in Washington, D.C., as director for policy and engagement in the office of veterans business development, focusing on SBA-related veterans programs.

Before the SBA, she served in military public affairs, strategic communication and staff positions in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Her duties included several deployments to Africa and within Europe. She is an Army veteran, having served as a military broadcast journalist.

In her new role, she leads a staff of seven along with a network of small-business development centers throughout the state.

“I am just humbled and honored to be back here and working in this capacity to enable small businesses,” she said. “My dad is still a small-business owner in Mobridge in the construction business, so there’s a family tie as well.”

Many current and prospective business owners are surprised at the services available, including business planning, lending and succession planning help.

“Every plan is unique for every type of business owner,” Wood said. “They’re surprised when they realize they’re getting this top-notch training and education and counseling. You’re getting real experts when you leverage our resources, and the best part is it’s free or there’s very little cost associated with this.”

The SBA has a couple of upcoming events for entrepreneurs. A veterans outreach “boot to business” reboot event is Saturday.

National Small Business Week starts May 5 and will include national recognition of entrepreneurs.

For information, click here.