WASHINGTON, D.C. — Anoop Prakash has been named associate administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development, SBA said in a press release.
Prakash brings a wealth of expertise in business development, having served most recently as vice president of Strategy and Business Development for LexisNexis Special Services Inc. in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for strategy, marketing, and alliances for the company.
“Anoop Prakash will be a tremendous asset to SBA as we strive to improve our business development tools and our outreach to entrepreneurs,” said SBA Administrator Steven C. Preston. “He has a deep understanding of the issues that are critical to businesses just getting off the ground, such as marketing, forming strategic alliances, and developing growth strategies. We look forward to having him on board.”
The Office of Entrepreneurial Development oversees SBA’s resource partners who provide technical and special assistance to small business owners throughout the country. Programs and services within The Office of Entrepreneurial Development network include Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE, Business Initiatives and the Small Business Training Network.
Last year, 1.5 million people received counseling or training through SBA and its resource partners.
The department is also responsible for much of the content within SBA’s Web site, especially as it relates to starting and growing a business.
As associate administrator, Prakash will direct the implementation of policies within the Office of Entrepreneurial Development.
“The vision Administrator Preston has set for me is to improve the long-term outcomes for new and small businesses in segments underserved by capital markets and economic development organizations today,” Prakash said. “I am honored to have this opportunity to serve, and look forward to working with my colleagues to further the administrator’s agenda.”
Prakash is a native of St. Cloud, Minn., and currently resides in Silver Spring, Md., with his wife Gita and daughter. Prior to LexisNexis, Prakash held various senior positions in the private sector, including director of business development for Siebel Systems Inc. and as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company, where he focused on business-building and change management projects.
A former Marine, Prakash served as a captain, deploying to the Persian Gulf region as the Air Combat Element intelligence officer with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He currently serves as chairman of the board for Brainfood, a non-profit youth development organization in Washington, D.C. Prakash earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in economics and public policy from Stanford University.