Health care is the No. 1 concern of small businesses and the status quo is untenable.

One of the most important things we hear is the S.B.A. needs to be ubiquitous. We do all these things, but people still don't know.

The morale when I came in was not the best. It was because the agency had not been valued.

It's not government that creates jobs; it's small business. Our job is to make sure they have the access to capital, the access to contracting opportunities, and the help, advice and mentoring that they need to go out and be successful.

I recently had the opportunity to participate in 'Inc.''s first-ever 'Hire Power Awards' event in Washington, D.C. The event was a testament to the power of American entrepreneurship and the role that it plays in driving job creation and innovation in a wide array of industries.

I think we've learned that the S.B.A. plays a critical role in providing access and opportunity when the market is not providing that access. We help banks get that money out into the hands of important and viable businesses, particularly those owned by minorities, women, immigrants and veterans.

Small businesses are really the engine in the economy.