Small Business Administration regional director Ashley Bell is taking on a new role in Washington, D.C. The White House appointed the Gainesville, Georgia, native to be policy adviser on entrepreneurship and innovation. Bell made the announcement in front of a packed room of local business leaders at the Russell Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovations. Bell says he’s excited about his new role.
“I think that this is a good fit for me because I’ve been an entrepreneur my whole life. I’m from the community that needed the help,” Bell said. “So, I know what it’s like to go to these communities that are distressed and to have someone show up who understands what they’re going through.”
The new role calls for Bell to recommend policies to President Donald Trump to help small businesses and entrepreneurs grow. He says he hopes to reach out to businesses and opportunity zones in diverse communities.
“The big thing is making sure we’re meeting the right stakeholders,” Bell said. “People that support and supply diversity. People that support business in these diverse communities and linking them to these new qualified opportunities on funds which is new venture capital money that is coming in these communities.”
Bell, a former Hall County commissioner and attorney, will continue his job with the SBA Region IV Office in Atlanta. He begins his new role this week with meetings at the White House.
