Peter Steele Named SBA Regional Administrator

The U.S. Small Business Administration has appointed Peter Steele as regional administrator for region one.  

Region one serves six New England states, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. 

A former small business owner, Steele said he is familiar with the unique day-to-day challenges that come with running a small business.  

“When I launched my own small business, I was unaware of all the programs and assistance that SBA provides,” Steele said.  

“I want to make sure that all businesses in New England are aware of SBA and what we can do to help them grow and prosper.” 

Visiting Connecticut

Steele is also no stranger to federal government work.  

During the first Trump administration, he worked for the U.S. Secretary of Labor as a regional representative, helping companies in the region throughout the pandemic. 

Steele has spent time meeting with businesses since the end of February.  

He met several Connecticut companies at CBIA’s May 8 National Small Business Week SBA Awards and Resource Expo.  

“I want to make sure that all businesses in New England are aware of SBA and what we can do to help them.” 

SBA’s Peter Steele

During that time, he congratulated the award winners and shared stories of his own upbringing.  

Steele worked for his family’s newspaper on Cape Cod before founding Twin City TIMES—a weekly newspaper in Maine. 

“I did that on a shoestring and a prayer,” Steele told attendees. 

 “No one was loaning money to some guy who was crazy enough to think he could start a newspaper—and I’ll be honest, I didn’t know about SBA back then.”