Deputy Associate Administrator
Stuart C. West serves as Deputy Associate Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD), where he serves as principal deputy to the Assistant Administrator, supporting the execution of national programs and policy initiatives that expand access to capital, increase federal contracting participation, and strengthen workforce development for veteran entrepreneurs. In this role, Mr. West oversees day-to-day strategy, operations, and program execution for the office, ensuring OVBD’s work reaches more than 18 million veterans, transitioning service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses engaged in entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
Mr. West works closely with SBA program offices and federal, state, local, and private-sector partners to translate OVBD’s priorities into measurable results, focusing on procurement readiness, capital access, and program outcomes that reflect responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.
Stuart is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an F-16 Crew Chief and an MQ-1 Predator Crew Chief, later finishing his uniformed career in the Wing Safety office. Since leaving active duty, he has focused much of his career on supporting fellow veterans through transition, offering career counseling and mentoring to service members moving into civilian life and helping them find the next mission for their skills.
He continued that work in federal civil service, serving as a Safety and Occupational Health Manager at the National Park Service, the Department of War Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). At FEMA, he later served as Senior Policy Advisor within Mission Support, advising senior leaders on enterprise policy, real property, and resource decisions.
Stuart holds the Certified Safety Professional and Project Management Professional credentials and is completing a doctorate in law and policy. He remains committed to helping veterans translate their military experience into lasting civilian careers.