WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins recommended today that President Bush appoint Sandford (Sandy) Blitz as the Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Region I (New England).  If appointed, Blitz, of Hudson, Maine, would be responsible for oversight of the SBA’s financing, marketing, and outreach efforts in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  Notably, over the past 13 years, there have been four Regional Administrators for Region I, all of whom hailed from Maine.

            “Sandy is a dedicated professional and respected leader with extensive government and business experience,” said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement.  “Sandy’s exceptional record and superb qualifications make him a candidate of the highest caliber.  We have no doubt that Sandy would excel as Region I Administrator, to the benefit of small businesses throughout New England.  We strongly urge President Bush to review his qualifications and fully consider our nomination.”

            Senator Snowe is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, which has oversight jurisdiction over the SBA.  Senator Collins previously served as the Region I Administrator of the SBA.

            Mr. Blitz currently owns and manages Emesbee Associates, a consulting firm that helps public and private institutions receive government grants and loans, as well as to devise economic development strategies.  He is also the Executive Director of the East-West Highway Association and Executive Manager of the Bangor Target Area Development Corporation.  In addition, Mr. Blitz serves as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Maine’s Department of Public Administration. 

            Prior to launching his consulting firm, Mr. Blitz served as an Economic Development Representative for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) from 1983 to 1996.  Mr. Blitz also worked in several capacities at the U.S. General Services Administration between 1975 and 1983.  Between 1971 and 1975, Mr. Blitz was Executive Assistant to Mayor Nicholas Panuzio in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  Mr. Blitz also served our country admirably as a United States Navy Reserve Officer.

            Mr. Blitz earned a BBA from the Bernard M. Baruch School of Public and Business Administration at the City College of New York.  He subsequently received a MPA from the University of Maine Graduate School.                                               

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