Eugene Cornelius

Mr. Cornelius is the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of International Trade with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) responsible for administrating the newly reorganized department with oversight and execution of four program divisions: (1)The Federal & State Trade Development Division -- which focuses on delivery and management of grants program,(2) The International Trade Finance Division -- which provides Trade Financing, counseling, and training with SBA's 3 Loan programs via 19 Export Assistance Centers Nationwide, (3) The International Affairs & Trade Policy Division-- which focuses on National initiatives, Trade policy mandates, export promotion interagency collaborative efforts, field network and outreach, and (4) Administration & Operations with focus on Budget, Human Resources, and Management. Duties include development of international trade strategies and strategic plans, leadership of the OIT and other staff in formation and administration of policies and programs, technical direction and coordination of interagency activities with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Agriculture, the Export Import Bank, the Department of State, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and other Federal, State, and local agencies.

He previously served as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations after serving as the Acting Regional Administrator for Region III that covers Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. As Deputy Associate Administrator, he provided senior leadership to over 42% of the Agency’s budgeted workforce, ensuring the implementation of its overall goals, programs, and operations. Mr. Cornelius was responsible for management and oversight of over 90 offices covering all 50 States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and
U. S. Territories. In addition to his domestic experience, he has international experience working on State Department initiatives in the Middle East with the Central Banks of Egypt and Bahrain, with the country of Tunisia in Northern Africa, as well as Risk Management and Finance experience in China. He was awarded the Harvard University School of Business “Bright Idea” for Innovation in American Government Award for the Business Builder economic development initiative.

Mr. Cornelius has served the SBA in numerous capacities prior to this appointment beginning in 1999 as the District Director for the Michigan District Office. After graduating from the Senior Executive Service (SES) Training Program in 2002, he served as the Agency’s Chief Procurement Officer and as the Associate Administrator for 8(a) Business Development in SBA’s national headquarters. In 2004, he was appointed as SBA’s Louisiana District Director, where he served as the Agency’s point of contact during the Katrina hurricane disaster and recovery. In 2008, he served as the Washington Metropolitan Area District Office Director overseeing the largest Government Contracting Portfolio in the country.

Before joining SBA, Mr. Cornelius was the Director of Business Services for the Los Angeles Community College District in California--the largest community college system in the United States, the Senior Administrative Officer for the City of Redondo Beach, California, and the Risk Manager for the Compton Unified School District in Compton, California.

Mr. Cornelius is a trained Federal Acquisition (Level 3) Senior Project Manager and is nationally certified as an Associate in Risk Management (ARM). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. In addition, he has professional designations in Negotiations, Economic Development, and Urban Planning.