Hector Barreto

National Board, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Hector V. Barreto is a nationally recognized businessman and community leader. He served five years as the Administrator of the U. S. Small Business Administration after being appointed by President George W. Bush and unanimously approved by the United States Senate on July 25, 2001.<br /> <br /> During his stewardship, the SBA exceeded all previous records in small business loans, women and minority owned business support, disaster relief and private-public sector procurement opportunities. Barreto directed the delivery of financial and business development programs to America’s entrepreneurs from a portfolio of direct, guaranteed and disaster loans totaling more than $60 billion.<br /> <br /> Upon his return to the private sector, he has assumed leadership in a wide range of business, civic and charitable activities. Mr. Barreto also serves as the Chairman of The Latino Coalition (www.TheLatinoCoalition.com), a national organization that represents Latino interests with senior executives of many Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.<br /> <br /> Mr. Barreto is a member on the National Board of the United States Chamber of Commerce and serves on the council on small business. He is the Founder of “Tributo a mi Padre, Tequila” (http://TributoTequila.com) in honor of his late father Hector Barreto Sr. Tributo tequila was recently awarded the prestigious 5 star diamond award by the American academy of hospitality sciences and is the only Tequila in the word with this designation. Hector Barreto is also the founder and president of Barreto Associates (http://BarretoInc.com), a Southern California based international business consulting firm developing relationships between major corporations, government agencies and small businesses. The firm has extensive experience in marketing, fundraising, insurance and finance.<br /> <br /> In addition, Mr. Barreto was the founder and former Chairman of Business Matchmaking, the nation’s leading non-profit small business procurement program. Business Matchmaking brings together countless entrepreneurs, including women, minority and veteran owned small business owners with procurement representatives of federal and local government agencies and several hundred major corporations. Since its inception Business Matchmaking has been responsible for over 80,000 face to face meetings and facilitated the granting of more than $80 billion in verifiable contracts for small firms. As a young man, he helped his father manage a family restaurant, an export/import business and construction company. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, he worked for the Miller Brewing Company as the South Texas Area Manager. In 1986, he moved to California and founded Barreto Insurance and Financial Services, responding to the needs for Southern California’s rapidly growing population. He later became a securities broker/dealer specializing in retirement plans.<br /> <br /> Mr. Barreto is the former vice chairman of the United States Hispanic Chamber (founded by his father, Hector Barreto Sr.) and the past chairman of the board of the Latin Business Association in Los Angeles. During his term, he increased membership by 50 percent, doubled revenues and substantially increased procurement opportunities for entrepreneurs’. He also founded a small business institute/incubator, which provides technical assistance, education and development opportunities to small businesses.<br /> <br /> He was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve as Commissioner on the California Commission for Economic Development. Hector Barreto was inducted into the Minority Business Hall of Fame and has received special recognition from many groups including the U.S. Congress, the California State Senate and Assembly, the County of Los Angeles, YMCA and American Red Cross. In 2006, he was honored by the President Fox of Mexico with the prestigious Aguila Azteca award, the highest recognition bestowed to a citizen of another country. He is frequently identified in key publications as one the most influential Hispanic business leaders in the country. Mr. Barreto is the author of “The Engine of America” (http://TheEngineofAmerica.com) which provides motivation and inspiration for entrepreneurs through the stories and ideas of business leaders nationally.<br /> Aside from his private business interests, he is a frequent speaker and media guest, panelist and commentator on issues of concern to small business interests.<br /> Mr. Barreto resides in Southern California with his wife Robin, son and two daughters.