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Community Development Events
Small Business—Big Opportunity: Finding Solutions to Small Business Challenges
November 30, 2011
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Hosted by Travelers Institute and Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Small Business—Big Opportunity brought together small business lenders, owners, service providers and community leaders to identify issues faced by small businesses, their lenders and service providers. We discussed access to capital, regulatory challenges, risk management and other issues affecting small business growth and job creation. We also facilitated debate with the audience, proposed alternatives and raised awareness of the importance of business continuity planning. This symposium is part of the Travelers Institute’s national series of symposia. It also is part of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ continuing conversation on small business and entrepreneurship.
Program
Opening Remarks
- Joan Woodward, Executive Vice President of Public Policy and head of the Travelers Institute, The Travelers Companies, Inc.
- Alfreda B. Norman, Vice President and Community Development Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
- Elizabeth Sobel Blum, Community Development Research Associate, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
- D'Ann Petersen, Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Panelists
- Herbert Austin, District Director for Dallas-Fort Worth, U.S. Small Business Administration
- Raymond Cervantes, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Department of Commerce/Minority Business Development Agency
- Victor Elmore, CEO and President, Texas Mezzanine Fund Inc.
- Ana Hernandez, Vice President, Commercial Banking, BB&T and President, Hispanic Bankers Association of Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter
- Moderator: Joan Woodward, Executive Vice President of Public Policy and head of the Travelers Institute, The Travelers Companies Inc.
Closing Remarks
- Elizabeth Sobel Blum, Community Development Research Associate, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
