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A current adviser to U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen will become New England’s next regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The SBA said in a statement yesterday that President Joe Biden had appointed Mike Vlacich as the next regional administrator for New England. Also named as regional administrators yesterday were Allen Thomas in the Southeast region and Elmy Bermejo in the Pacific region.

“America’s 32.5 million small businesses and innovative startups deserve experienced champions to make sure we’re delivering first-class customer service and support that makes a real difference,” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said in the statement. “Mike, Allen, and Elmy are talented leaders ready to hit the ground running, leading our dedicated regional teams to deliver the on-the-ground guidance and impactful services that will help our entrepreneurs survive, pivot to new opportunities, grow and thrive as we turn the page on this pandemic.”

Three other regional administrators had been named earlier this month for the Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest regions.

“I couldn’t be more excited to see this growing leadership team come together to carry out the SBA’s mission and ensure we are leveling the playing field to spark growth and opportunity for all of America’s entrepreneurs,” Guzman said.

As administrator for the New England region, also known as Region I, Vlacich will oversee SBA programs, offices and operations for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The SBA said in the statement that Vlacich has extensive economic development, policy and constituent service experience at the nonprofit, state and federal government levels. He is currently a senior adviser to Shaheen, a Democratic senator and former governor from New Hampshire, and previously had other leadership roles in her senate and governor’s offices.

A resident of Concord, New Hampshire, Vlacich was previously president and CEO of the New Hampshire College and University Council, state director for U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, director of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and deputy chief of staff to former New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch.

Amy Bassett, New Hampshire’s SBA district director, has been New England’s acting regional administrator since January.