BPC Announces New Board Members, Chair
Washington, D.C.– The Bipartisan Policy Center is pleased to announce that Maria Contreras-Sweet, 24th administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Darlene L. Jordan, executive director of the Gerald R. Jordan Foundation, have joined its board of directors. In addition, board member Robbie Bach has been elected to succeed former Gov. Frank Keating as BPC Board Chair.
“Contreras-Sweet is a trailblazer who brings a wealth of private and public sector experience to BPC’s board, particularly in the areas of small business development and entrepreneurship,” said Henry Cisneros, BPC board member and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. “Given BPC’s important work on Main Street finance issues, I’m excited about Maria lending her knowledge and expertise to our efforts.”
BPC’s Task Force on Main Street Finance is working on developing recommendations on improving access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs, which are vital to innovation, job creation and a growing economy.
“I’m pleased to join the board of the Bipartisan Policy Center and look forward to teaming with BPC, pursuing solutions to critical issues facing communities across America, including reducing hurdles in the areas of infrastructure, energy, entrepreneurship, finance and transportation,” Contreras-Sweet said.
“Darlene Jordan is a champion for advances in education, health care and research,” said BPC senior fellow and former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe. “She is a talented attorney, philanthropist and leader, and her presence on our board of directors will enhance BPC’s work, particularly in health care and early childhood education.”
Health policy has been a core focus for the Bipartisan Policy Center since its founding. BPC is advocating for a series of bipartisan policy recommendations that will improve health care quality, lower costs, and enhance health care coverage and delivery. In addition, BPC conducts research on early childhood development and has a policy effort underway to advance learning and development for our nation’s youngest residents.
“I look forward to joining the BPC board and engaging in efforts to improve education, and health and medical research from the community level on up. These are tremendously important issues that affect every American,” Jordan said.
Robbie Bach has been elected to lead the BPC Board beginning this November. Bach, a former Microsoft executive, now works as a civic engineer with corporate, philanthropic, and non-profit organizations that are driving positive change in our communities. He retired from Microsoft in 2010 as the company’s president of the entertainment and devices division.
“Robbie brings a unique blend of business pragmatism and civic passion to the BPC board. In this challenging political environment, Robbie’s strategic instincts, strong values and commitment to engaged debate will serve the organization well.” said BPC President Jason Grumet.