left to right Sheila Kay
DyNAMC Editor At
Large, Cassius Butts
U.S. SBA Regional
Administrator
Despite his time constraints and a constant
barrage of anonymous well-wishers, Mr. Butts
graciously gave DyNAMC Magazine his time.
I asked what his reasons were for deciding to
deliver a state of the region address and how
the concept was conceived. “This is the very
first,” he said proudly. “My staff and I came
up with the concept as a way to get the word
out about what the SBA is doing.” I inquired
if there will be other addresses. “Plans are
in the works… [we are] in the infancy stage
[of planning for future state of the region
addresses] to possibly take place yearly,”
he continued.
strategic partnership with NAMCO and the
SBA Southeast region which covers Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee,
as discussed with NAMCO President Aldrica
Lattimore, he answered, “Yes,” shaking his head
in the affirmative. I asked about the status of
this project and he revealed that the plans were
in the works and his staff was looking into the
resources available to bring it to fruition.
I posed the question: What is the most impactful
point you want attendees to take home from
this event? “That there are many resources
available for small businesses. The SBA website
offers training, advice and many other forms of
I inquired of Mr. Butts his reasons for supporting assistance. Free of charge,” was his answer.
the National Association of Minority Companies
Lastly, I asked would taking advantage of these
Inc. (NAMCO) in particular. After a thoughtful
resources be the first step toward “living the
pause he said, “I support NAMCO because
any organization that promotes diversity should entrepreneurial dream”. With a warm smile,
Regional Administrator Cassius Butts answered
be recognized and supported.” In answer to
with a definitive, “Yes.”
the question whether he had plans to work
toward a memorandum of understanding
Cassius Butts gives a compelling speech at the Inaugural State of the Region Address.