HARLINGEN — The U.S. Small Business Administration yesterday announced the appointment of Justin Crossie as regional administrator responsible for overseeing five states, including Texas.
Crossie will oversee SBA’s financial, entrepreneurial development, government contracting and international export initiatives, as well as rural and veterans outreach programs to empower small business owners and entrepreneurs in the region, SBA said in a statement.
Crossie previously worked in Louisiana for 10 years as regional director for U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana. Crossie served as a liaison to government, business, and civic groups throughout Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District.
“I met Justin last week and I believe he will be a wonderful leader and strong advocate for small businesses in Region VI and the Lower Rio Grande Valley District,” said Angela R. Burton, district director of the Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office.
Crossie, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, previously worked as the Florida and River Parishes representative for U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana.
He will oversee SBA Region VI operations in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
“I am pleased to now have 10 regional administrators who are in place around the country to help support me and the President as the voice and go-to resource for our nation’s 30 million small businesses,” SBA Administrator Linda McMahon said.
Harlingen is headquarters of the SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office, with a branch office in Corpus Christi. The district covers 14 of the 254 counties in Texas and includes international ports of entry, beaches, deep sea ports, ranch lands and metropolitan cities serving more than 176,000 businesses.
