President George W. Bush is expected to nominate Sandy K. Baruah (Bah-roo-ah) for the position of administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Baruh replaces former SBA Administrator Steven Preston, whom was sworn in as secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on June 6, 2008. In the interim, Jovita Carranza, SBA’s deputy administrator, has served as acting administrator.

Baruh currently is the assistant secretary of commerce for economic development at the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce). His chief role in this position is to oversee and lead the department’s domestic economic development arm, the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The mission of EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA’s annual investment budget for Fiscal Year 2006 was over $200 million and its investment portfolio was $1.5 billion.

Baruh has worked in the Bush administration since 2001. He previously served as deputy assistant secretary for program operations and chief of staff at the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at Commerce.

Prior to joining Commerce, Baruh worked in a corporate management consulting firm and in the office of former Senator Bob Packwood (R-Ore.). He also worked in the Departments of Labor and the Interior during the administration of former President George H.W. Bush.

He holds a B.S. from the University of Oregon and an M.B.A. from Willamette University.