Shawne Carter McGibbon is the Office of Advocacy’s Regional Advocate for the federal government’s Region III, covering Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia. She has had over 15 years of experience in the Office of Advocacy, and she currently serves as the direct link between small business owners, state and local government agencies, state legislators, small business associations, and the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Before joining the Office of Advocacy, Shawne worked for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and previously was on the staff of a Maryland state senator in Annapolis. Shawne received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in 1986 and a law degree from the George Washington University National Law Center in 1989. She has been a member in good standing of the Maryland Bar since 1989.

As a Regional Advocate, McGibbon helps identify new issues and concerns of small business owners. She also monitors the impact of federal and state policies on small business at the local level and works closely with local government officials, state officials and legislators, and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to develop programs and policies that help, rather than hinder, small business growth

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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. The Chief Counsel for Advocacy, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. Issues are identified through economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach. The Chief Counsel’s efforts are supported by offices in Washington, D.C., and by Regional Advocates. For more information on Regional Advocates, visit http://www.sba.gov/advo/region.html, or call (202) 205-6533.