Long tenure marked by unifying, expanding Wisconsin small business ecosystem; two other staff members also retiring
MILWAUKEE—SBA Wisconsin District Director Eric Ness is retiring after 35 years of public service with the U.S. Small Business Administration. He has served as the district director since 2001. He has been responsible for the delivery of SBA programs and services throughout the Badger State, helping small businesses start, grow, expand, and recover from adversity. His final workday is May 16.
His concerted and long-running expansion of SBA’s relationships with tribal, state, and local economic development organizations, lenders, chambers of commerce in both rural and urban communities, Congressional offices and many others has helped Wisconsin’s small businesses find resources they might not have otherwise, whether with SBA or with official or unofficial partners. He pursued many firsts: the first Native American SBA microloan intermediary in the country in 2007, the first Governor-designated HUBZones, and the first E200 (later Emerging Leaders/T.H.R.I.V.E.) small business executive leadership cohort, among others.
Ness led during two major crises which severely impacted small businesses, the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. During the former, he brought an SBA-supported no-interest $35,000 loan program to the state. One business owner took the time to write to Ness in 2013 expressing his gratitude for his business’ survival, and in 2025 that borrower is still in business and in good standing with his lender. The COVID-19 pandemic lending programs delivered more than $18 billion in SBA-backed relief to more than 232,000 Wisconsin small businesses and non-profits in 2020 and 2021, far exceeding the more typical $500-$800 million in SBA loans statewide annually. During his tenure, Wisconsin small business contract awards grew steadily, exceeding $1 billion annually in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Ness began his SBA career in 1990 as a commercial loan officer, working on both processing and servicing of loans. In this role he had the opportunity to work with many new and existing businesses, among them New Glarus Brewery and Culver’s, which was later named the SBA’s 70th Anniversary Legacy Business in Wisconsin in 2023. He became the district director in 2001. He has served as Acting Regional Administrator overseeing the six-state Great Lakes region several times and has been a mentor to new SBA district directors throughout the region and the country.
Ness started his earliest foray into entrepreneurship as a youngster on his family’s now century-old farm near Cumberland, Wis. growing and selling pumpkins and squash. He attended UW-Barron County and the University of Minnesota where he earned a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering. He also earned an MBA at Southern Methodist University. He previously worked for Impact Seven. UW-Barron County recognized him as a distinguished alumnus, and the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture presented its Community Builder award to him in 2023. In Business Madison magazine recognized him as one of its Power 100 in Wisconsin in 2024.
Everett M. Woodel, Jr., SBA Great Lakes Regional Administrator noted, “Eric Ness embodies the best of public service. The great state of Wisconsin – and SBA – has benefited from his community-building approach to entrepreneurial development for 35 years. Eric is a champion for small business and has played a seminal role in catalyzing countless successful small businesses throughout Wisconsin. Personally, Eric is a mentor to me and many others, and his leadership has made SBA better, stronger and more resilient.”
Wisconsin’s small business and economic development ecosystem leaders graciously shared their comments on his tenure and his contributions:
“Eric Ness and the SBA have a legacy of dedicated and unwavering support of small Native-owned businesses and tribal enterprises in Wisconsin,” says Gary Mejchar, co-Executive Director and Development head of the First American Capital Corp. “With the establishment of FACC in 2002, Eric became engaged with the board and leadership, speaking at workshops and meeting one-on-one with business owners and clients, while ensuring that they had access to SBA’s counseling and contracting resources.
His guidance led to FACC becoming the first Native CDFI in the country to become an SBA Microloan Program intermediary in 2007, which to date has made more than $3 million in SBA-backed microloans [with a maximum loan size of $50,000]. FACC became an SBA Community Advantage lender in 2017, further expanding access to capital. SBA staff have been regular presenters at events for Native-owned businesses during Eric Ness’ tenure, a reflection of his deep and enduring commitment.”
“For 35 years, Eric Ness has been a tireless advocate for small businesses, and our communities have benefited as a result of his work,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the state’s lead economic development organization. “His welcoming WEDC’s Small Business Academy into SBA’s National Small Business Week celebrations since 2022 have been a win-win for Wisconsin’s small businesses and our entire small business ecosystem. I want to thank Eric for his active partnership with WEDC and his commitment to serving the people and small businesses of Wisconsin.”
“Eric has been a tenacious advocate for small businesses throughout his SBA career,” says Rose Oswald Poels, CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers’ Association. “He has worked hard to build and strengthen connections between the banking industry, SBA and small businesses across the state which has contributed to meaningful economic growth and prosperity for these businesses, their employees and Wisconsin broadly. Eric has been a reliable resource for WBA and the industry and will be missed. I wish Eric much enjoyment throughout his well-deserved retirement.”
From SBA resource partners:
“Throughout his remarkable career, Eric has been the heart and soul of small business advocacy in our state. His leadership, wisdom, and generosity have inspired me and so many others. I’m honored and grateful to have worked alongside him and to call him a mentor and friend.” Bon Wikenheiser, Executive Director, University of Wisconsin Office of Business & Entrepreneurship (oversees the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center network)
“Eric led the collaboration of resource partners like SCORE Wisconsin to work together to support small businesses, farmers, minorities, and entrepreneurs. He facilitated regular resource partner video calls to help us stay connected, and he coordinated our support for the annual SBA Small Business Awards around the state. SCORE continues to be a strong SBA partner thanks to Eric. We wish Eric the best in his next chapter.” Dave Maaske, Wisconsin State Director, SCORE
“It has been an honor working alongside Eric Ness over the years. Our work together began while I served as chair of the SBA Advisory Committee in which Eric was leading the charge. I was immediately drawn to Eric’s dedication, compassion, and innovative ideas for small business entrepreneurship. Eric’s vision has been instrumental in helping serve thousands of entrepreneurs so they can have access to capital while also coupling the much needed one on one counseling. America’s entrepreneurship engine is fueled with a spark creating hope and opportunity for all through Eric’s proactive mission! We are committed to seeing Eric’s legacy endure! We thank you Eric for all of your hard work! You will be missed tremendously”. Kathryn J. Dunn, President/Chief Visionary Officer, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp.
“We have had the pleasure of working with Eric for many years. His dedication, integrity, and deep understanding of the challenges facing small businesses set him apart. He is not only a true public servant but also one of the most passionate and effective advocates for small business success that I’ve had the privilege to work with. “Aina Vilumsons, CFCM, President and Executive Director, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) – Wisconsin APEX Accelerator
Also retiring from SBA’s Wisconsin office this month:
Public Affairs Specialist Shirah Rachel Apple, APR. Shirah started with SBA in 2012 and has overseen the DO’s communications, media, and story-telling efforts to illuminate how the SBA can add value for small businesses. She has acted on many occasions as the Regional Communications Director when that role was vacant and has been a mentor to new public affairs specialists throughout the agency. Along with SBA Administrator and other VIP visits, she oversaw the office’s Small Business Saturday outreach and National Small Business Week awards program and worked closely with WEDC to integrate their Small Business Academy into National Small Business Week. Her last workday is May 16.
District Director Eric Ness commended her work, saying, “With public relations expertise forged in both the military and nonprofits, Shirah joined the SBA to spotlight successful ventures and communicate vital resources to small businesses, lenders, SBA teams, and partners—driving growth throughout Wisconsin and beyond. I was proud to stand alongside her in this effort.”
Lender Relations Specialist Elvira (Ellie) Berg. Ellie started with SBA in 2013 and has worked with SBA lenders throughout the state of Wisconsin, focusing primarily on the eastern part of the state. She has built new lending relationships for the SBA, trained current and new lenders as SBA programs evolved, and has been the SBA contact for planning for the Wisconsin Lenders Conference hosted by UW-Stevens Point. She has also been the District International Trade Officer, assisting businesses and lenders with accessing SBA’s international trade programs. Her last workday is May 30.
District Director Eric Ness praised her tenure at the SBA: “Leveraging her extensive background in banking, Ellie fueled her passion at the SBA by equipping lenders with the expertise they needed—so small businesses could launch, expand, and thrive.”
For more information about SBA’s Wisconsin office, contract Frank Demarest, SBA Wisconsin Deputy District Director at frank.demarest@sba.gov.
