Ava Dejoie Cates is the new Small Business Administration’s Regional Administrator of Region 6, replacing Ted James.
She will oversee the agency’s programs, offices, and operations in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Cates joins the SBA team with more than 25 years of public and private sector experience in workforce and business development. She most recently served as a member of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards’ cabinet from 2016 to 2023 and as secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
James was appointed to the role by Biden in late 2021. He stepped down in January to run for mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish.
