A woman who served as director of a small business center in Colorado Springs has been appointed administrator of a six-state region of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

President Joe Biden named Aikta Marcoulier administrator of SBA Region 8. She will oversee the programs and services of the federal agency in Colorado as well as  Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

SBA Administrator  Isabella Casillas Guzman praised the appointment. “Aikta Marcoulier’s exemplary public service and experience in community development through entrepreneurship exemplifies the commitment and know-how needed to carry out our mission to serve America’s small businesses.”

“At a time when a record number of entrepreneurs are applying for new businesses, Aikta will be a valuable addition to our dynamic team of regional administrators as the SBA continues to solve for challenges experienced by our small businesses as they pivot, start, grow and seize new opportunities presented by a growing economy,” Guzman added.

Marcoulier served nearly 10 years as executive director of the Colorado Springs office of the Small Business Development Center network. 

She created and managed the Colorado SBDC Cyber: Cover Your Assets program, providing training and one-on-one consulting to small businesses throughout the state.

She previously served as director of partnership marketing with the Professional Bull Riders and project manager with the Native American Sports Council, an organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee. 

She holds a master’s of business administration degree from the University of Phoenix and undergraduate degrees in economics and psychology from the University of Iowa.