McDonald to lead SBA’s Minnesota district

Brian McDonald

The Small Business Administration has selected Brian McDonald to be the district director of its Minnesota District Office. In this role, he will manage the strategic efforts and daily operations of SBA’s small business support throughout the state.

“Brian’s depth of experience with the SBA and service as the deputy director for the state makes him the ideal head of the agency’s Minnesota operations,” said SBA’s Great Lakes Regional Administrator Rob Scott. “His local connections, knowledge and strong leadership will contribute to helping the state’s small businesses during this challenging time and into the future as we look toward economic recovery.”

McDonald has served as SBA’s Minnesota deputy district director since 2017. Under his leadership, McDonald’s team works to facilitate SBA-backed loans, advocate and train small businesses for federal government contracting opportunities and improve entrepreneurial development and strengthen business growth in all 87 Minnesota counties.

“Small businesses employ 1.3 million people in Minnesota,” McDonald said. “I’m excited to continue to provide critical support to them as my team and our partners work together to deliver the resources they need to start, grow, expand and recover. I feel well prepared entering this role. Together we will work hard and make a difference in our communities.”

Prior to moving to Minnesota, McDonald spent five years with SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development in Washington, D.C. In addition to his experience with the SBA, McDonald served on the President’s Management Council as a policy analyst at Health and Human Services, served in the U.S. Department of Treasury’s CDFI Fund, and has private banking experience.

Originally from Rochester, N.Y., Brian has an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., and a master’s degree from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.