Long Tenure Marked by Celebrating 51 Years of Federal Service

New Orleans, LA (Jan 27, 2026) - SBA Louisiana Deputy District Director Jo Ann Lawrence is retiring after 51 years and 5 months of federal government service, 51 years with the U.S. Small Business Administration. As Deputy District Director since August 2015, Jo Lawrence has been responsible for the delivery of SBA programs and services throughout the state of Louisiana, helping small businesses start, grow, expand, and recover from disasters and adversity. Her admirable service of dedication and commitment to the federal government, knowledge, experience, positive leadership, mentorship, inspiration, and unprecedented devotion to the small business community have made a meaningful impact over the past 51 years, leaving an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial landscape which will continue to resonate for years to come.

As SBA Deputy District Director for Louisiana, Lawrence was delighted to support small businesses, assisting entrepreneurs, impacting communities, and providing resources designed to increase the likelihood of success for businesses in Louisiana and nationwide. Jo Ann’s unwavering dedication, knowledge, excellence, and expertise poised her to not only to empower her team but also in the pursuit of overcoming challenges. She is a nationwide expert on the 8(a) Business Development program, HUBZone certification, Woman-owned Small Business certification, Veteran-owned Small Business Certification, 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance, Joint Ventures and Mentor Protégé Programs. Mrs. Lawrence’s completed her final day with the Small Business Administration on January 10, 2026. All of Mrs. Lawrence’s 51 years of service with the Federal Government was with the SBA.

Jo Ann Lawrence represents the epitome of an effective leader and has responsibly led management, providing staff training, economic development, strategic oversight ensuring organizational optimization and deployment of SBA programs and services. She has extensive experience and expertise in providing business development, financial management, contracting, and procurement assistance to small businesses. Mrs. Lawrence is frequently called upon for training initiatives across the country, and she has worked on several standard operating procedures (SOP) manuals in all areas of small business development.

Mrs. Jo Ann Lawrence has been honored and recognized throughout her decadent career as a stellar Administrative phenom, receiving awards such as the 2024 Louisiana Leads Award Recipient (October 25, 2024), Advocate of the Year Award presented by the SBA Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations (July 15, 2021), Most Valuable Partner by New Orleans Business Alliance (May 11, 2023), Leader in Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment (June 26, 2022). Jo Ann has also been honored by the Mayor of New Orleans, Senator Mary Landrieu, Congressman Cedric Richmond, Louisiana District Office and others for 40 years of service to the small businesses. Mrs. Lawrence has also been nominated for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies) as part of Public Service Recognition Week 2021(April 2021) and Recognized by the SBA Associate Administrator for Field Operations for 45 years of service (July 2019).

Mrs. Jo Ann Lawrence’s ability to maximize success for her team has been evident in the prestige surrounding her career. Jo Ann was most recently featured on 2 Make A Difference(2MAD) on ABC TV WBRZ in Baton Rouge, LA and presented with the 2024 Horizon Trailblazer Award at the inaugural Horizon Summit in Monroe, LA. (June 13, 2024). Mrs. Lawrence was selected as the Minority Advocate of the Year Award - Gulf South Minority Supplier Development Council (August 2002). Jo Ann Lawrence was recognized by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity as a Micro-business Champion for her support of Prosperity NOLA and micro-businesses in Louisiana in April 2014 and July 2014. Jo Ann was selected as the Pandemic Unsung Hero for Economic Development from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women New Orleans Chapter, Inc. (January 24, 2021) and earned the Business and Community Champion Award for outstanding leadership and contributions to small businesses in Louisiana from Southern University and A & M College (April 15, 2019). Jo Ann also received the Louisiana Minority Supplier Development Council’s 2013 Leadership Award 9August 2013) and the 2016 Small Business Advocacy Award for Federal Government National Award, Washington, D.C., Annual ACT-IAC Small Business Growth Symposium (July 14, 2016).

 According to Lawrence, none of her accomplishments would have been possible without a supportive and dedicated team. Jo Ann is a 2017 graduate of the Excellence in Government Fellows Leadership Program and has mastered the US Army’s procurement training courses including Basic ALMC, Government Contract Administration, Types of Government Contracts, Government Contract Negotiation Techniques, and Government Contract Law. She has successfully completed the Pre-Commercial Credit Analysis Course, the Level I Loan Officer Training in Basic Commercial Credit Analysis, Personnel Management for Supervisors, New Markets Training and the Federal Marketing Courses, several of the National Contract Management Association’s contract training courses, the Office of Personnel Management Leadership Assessment Program: Level II, SBA’s Positive Leadership Course, and several other leadership and management courses.

Stephanie Jordan 

"Lady Jazz!" 

"Every so often a new voice stands up and proclaims itself, but few do so

with such supreme depth and understated soul." 

- Ted Panken, Jazz at Lincoln Center Playbill

 Available for Bookings:

Vincent Sylvain

504-232-3499

Vincent@SylvainSolutions.com