WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, released a statement today supporting President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the Small Business Administration, Karen Gordon Mills. Mills is a venture capitalist from Maine and a key economic adviser in the state.

“The President-elect’s selection to lead the SBA demonstrates his commitment to bring Washington in touch with the real needs of Main Street. Karen has been a champion for small business owners in a state economy that depends on small firms. As a successful entrepreneur, Karen understands firsthand what it takes to build and grow a firm. Through her work with Governor Baldacci, she knows how the public sector can foster economic development and the growth of small firms. We’ve made Massachusetts the nation’s model for innovation and I’m counting on Karen to help us keep that edge. I’m confident that she’ll be a strong advocate for small businesses.”