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SBA Deputy Administrator Melanie Sabelhaus to Deliver Keynote Address at NCUA’s Access Across America Economic Empowerment Summit

Washington, September 10, 2004 – Small Business Administration (SBA) Deputy Administrator Melanie Sabelhaus will deliver the keynote address at the National Credit Union Administration’s (NCUA) Access Across America Economic Empowerment Summit in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The summit will be held at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque on Monday, September 13, 8:00-4:30pm.

“Melanie is an outstanding leader in America’s small business world and possesses a proven track record as a successful entrepreneur,” said NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson. “We are pleased to continue our solid relationship with our SBA partners. Together, we are focused on enhancing the opportunity for credit union members to have a financial partner they can count on as their small businesses flourish and create more jobs.”

Sabelhaus was nominated to the post by President Bush and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2002. For the three years prior to her appointment, Sabelhaus dedicated her time to community fund raising and women's business issues. Previously, she served as vice president of Global Sales at Bridgestreet Accommodations. From 1986 to 1997, she founded and served as chief executive officer of Exclusive Interim Properties. She also served in a variety of management positions with the IBM Corporation for 15 years. Melanie is a graduate of Ohio University.

Other government agencies participating in the summit, include the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation will be represented at the summit discussing various federal grant, loan, and partnership opportunities. Panel discussions will focus on member business lending, homeownership, and financial education.

Both NCUA Chairman Johnson and Board Member Debbie Matz will deliver remarks, as will Treasury Department Community Development Financial Institutions Director Art Garcia.

NCUA established the Access Across America initiative to facilitate the extension of affordable financial services to individual and communities across America. By partnering with key federal departments and agencies, credit unions develop initiatives and services to reach out to the underserved.

For more information or to register for the free summit, please see NCUA’s website at www.ncua.gov or e-mail AccessAcrossAmerica@ncua.gov

The National Credit Union Administration, governed by a three-member board appointed by the President, is the independent federal agency that charters and supervises federal credit unions. NCUA, with the backing of the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, operates the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), insuring the savings of 82 million account holders in all federal credit unions and many state-chartered credit unions.

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