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SBA Launches ICAP to Modernize 7(a) Loan Origination, Streamline Workflows, and Accelerate Small Business Lending
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release:
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SBA Launches iCAP to Modernize 7(a) Loan Origination, Streamline Workflows, and Accelerate Small Business Lending
Phased Onboarding Will Open for Integrated Origination, Risk Management, and Real-Time Processing for SBA Lenders
November 5, 2026
WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the new Intelligent Capital Access Platform (iCAP), a modern origination, processing, and management platform designed to make SBA lending faster, simpler and more secure. The new
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release:
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SBA Launches iCAP to Modernize 7(a) Loan Origination, Streamline Workflows, and Accelerate Small Business Lending
Phased Onboarding Will Open for Integrated Origination, Risk Management, and Real-Time Processing for SBA Lenders
November 5, 2026
WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the new Intelligent Capital Access Platform (iCAP), a modern origination, processing, and management platform designed to make SBA lending faster, simpler and more secure. The newplatform marks a historic technology overhaul for the agency as it moves away from fragmented, decades-old software including ETRAN and the Capital Access Financial System (CAFS). By bringing the efficiency, usability, and risk controls of modern banking together, iCAP simplifies loan application preparation, accelerates review, and strengthens fraud prevention. Following consultation with SBA lenders, the agency is empowering its lenders with the tools they need -- especially community banks and rural lenders -- to deliver more loans, faster, for small businesses.
"As an agency entrusted with backing billions of dollars in small business loans, we're offering our thousands of banking partners the technology and risk management tools consistent with the demands of a modern financial institution to better serve their small business clients by clearing out decades of bureaucratic inefficiency," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "The same discipline my team and I brought to building financial services and technology businesses now guides SBA's modernization: equipping lenders with dynamic, integrated systems that accelerate transactions, provide visibility, and strengthen risk controls instead of PDFs, piles of paperwork, and uncertainty. With iCAP, we are putting private-sector standards into practice -- replacing manual workflows with modern technology that accelerates loan review and stops fraud. SBA is transforming into a faster, more accountable partner, giving our lenders greater capacity to serve small businesses while strengthening protections for taxpayer dollars."
For two decades, SBA's legacy ETRAN origination systems went without a single major upgrade, leaving lenders to navigate cumbersome manual workflows. Over the next few months, iCAP will replace those outdated processes with the connected workflows, automated controls, and intuitive interface lenders expect from a modern banking partner. These upgrades simplify the origination process, in part to empower community and regional banks to join SBA's lender network and deliver more financing to rural America.
iCAP is available through lender.sba.gov and includes the following key capabilities:
* Real-time application validation. Automated checks flag missing or inconsistent information as lenders prepare applications, reducing submission errors, avoidable rework, and review delays.
* Single-entry data capture. Information automatically populates related application sections, eliminating duplicate entry and redundant document submissions while improving data consistency.
* Dynamic application requirements. Data fields and documentation requirements adjust to the loan type, processing method, and transaction details, streamlining application preparation.
* Integrated review and communication. Lenders and SBA reviewers work from shared screens, with in-app messaging and notifications that keep requests, responses, and supporting information within the loan workflow.
* Transaction visibility. Application status tracking and a consolidated activity record give lenders and SBA reviewers visibility into loan progress and a traceable history of actions and communications.
* Embedded fraud screening. Up-front fraud and eligibility reviews, combined with visibility into prior SBA debt, help lenders and SBA identify potential risks earlier in origination.
The launch follows a six-month pilot program that helped refine iCAP through lender participation and feedback. To date, more than 250 lenders have joined the platform, processing 2,000 loans totaling millions of dollars. The feedback during the pilot was used to refine application flows, simplify document requirements, and expand functionality to support both delegated and non-delegated lending. This approach has allowed the SBA to develop a bespoke platform cost-effectively in well under two years, without waiting for a single, years-long system replacement.
The SBA will deliver its lender experience transformation in phases. ETRAN continues to support certain functions during the transition, including post-submission changes and modification requests through ETRAN Servicing, as well as access to approved loans' Terms & Conditions documents. The new 7(a) origination application programming interface (API), which enables lenders' software systems to exchange information with SBA, is scheduled to become available in production in December 2026, with migration from the ETRAN origination interface required by June 2027; information on the phases will be provided in the coming weeks.
Although iCAP's origination capabilities currently extend only to 7(a) lending, the platform does support modernized secondary-market transactions through its Guaranty Sale application, with prepopulated documents, in-app signatures, and real-time transaction tracking. SBA's roadmap for future capabilities includes adding 504 origination, servicing, and liquidation to iCAP, bringing the same commercial-grade tools for streamlined processing, earlier risk detection, and greater transaction visibility to the 504 lending community.
The iCAP rollout anchors the agency's broader lending agenda for fiscal 2027: building an efficient, integrated lender experience to expand the agency's lending network, simplifying the 504 loan process, and surging financing to small businesses in the defense industrial base in support of initiatives such as the new Smaller War Plants Commission. By pairing modern banking tools and stronger fraud controls with simpler loan processes, the SBA is positioning itself to work with more lenders and deliver more capital to the small businesses essential to the nation's economic strength and security.
The SBA will be communicating directly with lenders to begin using the iCAP platform. All lenders will have access to loan origination in iCAP by January 1, 2027. For users originating loans in ETRAN today, no additional enrollment is needed. You will receive login instructions, live training, system guides and self-service resources. Secondary market investors may access the modernized Guaranty Sale process through the new investor.sba.gov.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://legacy.sba.gov/article/2026/11/05/sba-launches-icap-modernize-7a-loan-origination-streamline-workflows-accelerate-small-business
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine: U.S. Coast Guard Should Adopt New Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Assault at Sea, Says New Report
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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U.S. Coast Guard Should Adopt New Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Assault at Sea, Says New Report
November 5, 2026
WASHINGTON -- To address sexual assault at sea, the U.S. Coast Guard should improve survivor care, strengthen accountability, build a climate of safety centered on prevention, and improve data collection to better understand the scope of the problem, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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U.S. Coast Guard Should Adopt New Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Assault at Sea, Says New Report
November 5, 2026
WASHINGTON -- To address sexual assault at sea, the U.S. Coast Guard should improve survivor care, strengthen accountability, build a climate of safety centered on prevention, and improve data collection to better understand the scope of the problem, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,and Medicine. In the U.S. Coast Guard, mission readiness depends on the safety, health, and trust of crew members, particularly because personnel may serve aboard vessels in remote locations where access to care, support, and resources is limited.
The Coast Guard's more than 75,000 personnel operate in a maritime, military environment that presents special conditions, needs, and constraints for confronting sexual assault. Vessels ranging from small patrol boats to large national security cutters deploy for weeks or months with limited access to resources and support.
"Time at sea creates unique vulnerabilities for sexual assault and harassment in the Coast Guard, and survivors aboard vessels have fewer options since evacuation can be difficult, privacy is limited, and medical resources may be scarce," said Alicia Carriquiry, distinguished professor, president's chair in statistics, and director of the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence at Iowa State University, and chair of the committee that wrote the report. "Ensuring access to comprehensive, trauma-informed care that puts survivors' well-being first is essential."
Prioritizing care and well-being
The report calls for a multidisciplinary, survivor-centered system of care that recognizes the highly individualized and evolving nature of recovery. This includes attention to immediate safety needs, treatment of injuries, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, short- and long-term physical and mental health needs, and time-sensitive evidence collection to support investigation and prosecution if a survivor chooses to pursue this option.
Sexual assault medical forensic examinations are not currently conducted on Coast Guard vessels; instead, the survivor would need to be transferred to the nearest facility that offers the examination, if the individual requests one. To increase access to immediate care, the report calls for the implementation of a telehealth sexual assault forensic examination (i.e., teleSAFE) model on Coast Guard vessels as a comprehensive health care forensic response or as a consultation service, depending on the vessel type. TeleSAFE care can expand access to timely medical forensic examination, enable adherence to best clinical practice, improve evidence collection and integrity, and enhance survivor options and support.
Strengthening accountability, investigation, and prosecution
The Coast Guard's response to sexual assault and harassment cannot be assessed solely by prosecutions or convictions because many survivors choose not to pursue legal action. Effective accountability requires the pursuit of both substantive justice, through investigation, prosecution, and appropriate consequences when warranted, and procedural justice, through fair, transparent processes. A trauma-informed response includes accountability, with prosecution that is survivor-centered, offender-focused, and grounded in advances in science and behavioral research, the report says.
Recent reforms to the military justice system, including the transfer of charging and referral authority for covered offenses from the chain of command to the U.S. Coast Guard Office of the Chief Prosecutor, were designed to strengthen independence and survivor confidence. However, the report finds that gaps in transparency and evaluation remain and recommends clear guidance and training for leaders and Coast Guard members on any changes to policies and procedures, along with ongoing evaluation of their impact. Because leaders set the climate of their units, their accountability is also essential to preventing and responding to sexual assault.
Building a climate of safety and respect
The report recommends strategies to foster a climate of safety and accountability where sexual assault is not only addressed but also prevented. Achieving this requires a sustained, comprehensive approach built on accountable leadership, improved training, active assessment and risk monitoring, structural and environmental design, and stronger data collection and reporting.
The Coast Guard should ensure that all personnel involved in prevention, response, and accountability receive comprehensive training and sufficient resources to perform their jobs effectively.
Recent policy has changed some of the living and working environments on commercial vessels. Building on this, the Coast Guard should update physical spaces on vessels to improve prevention and response to sexual assault and harassment, drawing on best practices and requirements from the maritime industry and other comparable organizations, the report says.
Improving data collection and reporting
Current data systems are inadequate for estimating how often sexual assault occurs at sea. In addition, sexual assault is underreported in all contexts and may be even more pronounced at sea, as service members may hesitate to come forward for fear of retaliation, negative career impacts, or alienation from their unit.
To better inform efforts to prevent sexual assault and improve survivor care, the report recommends that the Coast Guard improve its data collection and reporting processes, especially for incidents that occur while underway and at ports away from home port. Specifically, it calls for greater transparency, systematic recording of incidents by location, and adoption of the most rigorous, widely validated instruments available for measuring sexual assault and harassment statistics to better understand the scope of the problem.
The study was undertaken by the Committee on Sexual Assault at Sea and sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.
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View report here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DBASSE-CLAJ-23-03/publication/29402
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Original text here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/us-coast-guard-should-adopt-new-strategies-to-prevent-and-respond-to-sexual-assault-at-sea-says-new-report
IDB Backs Uruguay's National Public Security Plan With $200 Million Loan
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Backs Uruguay's National Public Security Plan with $200 Million Loan
November 05, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $200 million loan to support Uruguay's implementation of its National Public Security Plan 2025-2035, helping the country's fight against organized crime and strengthen public security and justice.
The program will support the Ministry of the Interior, the National Police, and the Attorney General's Office.
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Backs Uruguay's National Public Security Plan with $200 Million Loan
November 05, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $200 million loan to support Uruguay's implementation of its National Public Security Plan 2025-2035, helping the country's fight against organized crime and strengthen public security and justice.
The program will support the Ministry of the Interior, the National Police, and the Attorney General's Office.The plan will improve strategic planning and coordination across the public security sector, enhance police effectiveness in areas where criminal activity is highly concentrated, help the identification of homicide perpetrators, and increase the efficacy of investigations. It will also support police training, intelligence-led policing, stronger forensic capabilities, specialized prosecutorial training, and greater coordination in complex organized crime investigations.
"Public safety is a fundamental condition for people's well-being and the country's sustainable development. Through this program, we are supporting Uruguay in strengthening its institutional capacity to respond effectively to public safety challenges. This operation is one of the priorities of IDB's 2026-2030 Country Strategy, developed jointly with the government, and will include concrete actions and measurable results for citizens," said Miguel Porrua, IDB Group Country Representative in Uruguay.
The plan was developed with the participation of the five political parties represented in Parliament and more than 80 government, academic, civil society organizations and international development institutions.
It establishes a medium-term framework for the country's public security policy, prioritizing interventions in areas with high levels of crime and violence and among the populations most affected. The program is expected to benefit approximately 175,000 people in the targeted areas.
The $200 million policy-based loan will be financed from the IDB's Ordinary Capital. It has a 20-year amortization period, a 5.5-year grace period and a one-year disbursement period. It complements the CCLIP "More Security" approved in 2025.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-backs-uruguays-national-public-security-plan-200-million-loan
IDB Approves $750 Million Financial Package to Support Bolivia's Economic Stabilization Plan
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Approves $750 Million Financial Package to Support Bolivia's Economic Stabilization Plan
November 05, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $750 million financial package to support Bolivia's comprehensive plan for macroeconomic stabilization and fiscal reforms.
The IDB operation supports a broader reform program agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October 2026 and backed by the international community.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Approves $750 Million Financial Package to Support Bolivia's Economic Stabilization Plan
November 05, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $750 million financial package to support Bolivia's comprehensive plan for macroeconomic stabilization and fiscal reforms.
The IDB operation supports a broader reform program agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October 2026 and backed by the international community.
The IDB package consists of a $500 million special development loan (SDL) to provide budget support and help stabilize the economy, and a $250 million policy-based loan to support critical fiscal reforms and put the country on a path toward fiscal sustainability.
The policy-based loan is the first in a series of two programmatic operations that are technically related but financially independent. This first operation will support reforms to strengthen macrofiscal planning; improve the efficiency of public spending by rationalizing energy subsidies and payroll expenditures, and strengthening public investment, while enhancing the tax system through simpler tax policies and stronger tax administration.
The $500 million special development loan has a seven-year maturity and a three-year grace period, while the $250 million policy-based loan has a 20-year maturity and a 7.4-year grace period. Both loans have interest rates based on SOFR.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and
knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-approves-750-million-financial-package-support-bolivias-economic-stabilization-plan
IDB Improves Its Transparency Among Major Development Organizations
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Improves Its Transparency Among Major Development Organizations
November 04, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) improved its score in the 2026 Aid Transparency Index, reaffirming its position as a leader in transparency among major international development organizations and maintaining second place globally.
The IDB's score in the Aid Transparency Index increased to 97.1 in 2026 from 96.3 in 2024, reflecting its continued commitment to transparent and accountable
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Improves Its Transparency Among Major Development Organizations
November 04, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) improved its score in the 2026 Aid Transparency Index, reaffirming its position as a leader in transparency among major international development organizations and maintaining second place globally.
The IDB's score in the Aid Transparency Index increased to 97.1 in 2026 from 96.3 in 2024, reflecting its continued commitment to transparent and accountablereporting. The Index, published by Publish What You Fund every two years, is widely recognized as the global benchmark for transparency in development finance.
"Transparency and development impact go hand in hand. By making information more accessible and systematically reporting our results, we strengthen accountability, build trust among stakeholders, inform better decisions, and support more effective development outcomes for the countries and communities we serve," said IDB Group President Ilan Goldfajn.
The IDB's strong performance this year reflects the successful implementation of the Bank's new Access to Information Policy. In effect since 2025, the policy has strengthened the Bank's proactive disclosure approach. As of December 2025, the IDB had disclosed 19,190 documents, a 19% increase compared with 2024.
In addition, the policy reduced the exceptions to disclosure from 10 to 6, introduced a harm test analysis, which uses objective criteria to determine when information should be protected, and strengthened its governance framework supporting the implementation of the policy.
The Aid Transparency Index assesses the transparency of major development finance institutions based on their disclosure of information under the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) Standard.
The IDB has been an IATI signatory since 2011 and reports standardized data every month on more than 2,000 sovereign-guaranteed operations approved since 2004. The data allows governments, partners, and citizens to compare and coordinate development financing across the region.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-improves-its-transparency-among-major-development-organizations
GSA Announces Commissioner Appointments for Public Buildings and Federal Acquisition Services
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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November 04, 2026
GSA Announces Commissioner Appointments for Public Buildings and Federal Acquisition Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the appointments of Mark S. Weiss as the Commissioner of Public Buildings Service (PBS) and Jennifer M. Hill as the Commissioner of Federal Acquisition Service (FAS).
"I am thrilled to welcome Mark and Jennifer to GSA's leadership team," said GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst. "These industry-leading
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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November 04, 2026
GSA Announces Commissioner Appointments for Public Buildings and Federal Acquisition Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the appointments of Mark S. Weiss as the Commissioner of Public Buildings Service (PBS) and Jennifer M. Hill as the Commissioner of Federal Acquisition Service (FAS).
"I am thrilled to welcome Mark and Jennifer to GSA's leadership team," said GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst. "These industry-leadingprofessionals bring records of strategic execution, operational discipline, and results-driven leadership that will strengthen GSA's ability to deliver best-in-class value across acquisition and real estate."
Mark S. Weiss is an Executive Vice Chairman at Cushman & Wakefield and is regarded as one of the leading commercial broker/advisor/tacticians within the real estate industry. His expertise ranges across multiple industry sectors, including healthcare, law, finance, technology and manufacturing. With 42 years of experience in commercial real estate, Mr. Weiss has consistently been recognized for innovation and creativity. He has been awarded the Real Estate Board of New York's prestigious Most Ingenious Deal of the Year award five times, as well as similar awards in New Jersey and Long Island.
"At its core, PBS's mission is to provide and manage efficient, cost-effective, and mission-ready workplaces that enable federal agencies to serve the American people," said Mr. Weiss. "We will continue to advance the Trump-Vance Administration's objectives and maintain the integrity of the federal government's real estate portfolio."
PBS serves as the federal government's primary real estate manager, overseeing one of the nation's largest and most diverse real estate portfolios. PBS owns and leases approximately 8,500 assets totaling nearly 360 million square feet, including office buildings, courthouses, land ports of entry, and historic federal properties.
Jennifer M. Hill joined GSA in February 2026 as an advisor to Administrator Forst, where she partnered with FAS leadership to improve government operations through procurement consolidation, streamlined processes, and more strategic use of the federal government's purchasing power.
She spent 30 years at a number of companies, including Goldman Sachs and Bank of America, in roles covering investment banking, leveraged finance, risk, and the executive office. She was the CFO of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which is the wholesale and wealth management division of Bank of America. For the last 10 years, she has consulted for financial services companies in asset management, specialized lending, banking, and brokerage. She has held a series of board positions for various public and private companies, serving as Chairman, Audit Committee Chair, Risk Chair, and Governance Chair.
"I'm excited to execute on the Administrator's vision for GSA acquisition: buy smarter, move faster, and reduce fraud," said Ms. Hill. "Through teamwork and accountability, we will focus on supporting the Trump-Vance Administration's vision for government by driving efficiency while serving as strong stewards of taxpayer dollars."
FAS plays a central role in helping the federal government operate more efficiently and deliver better value for taxpayers. Through FAS, GSA oversees more than $125 billion in business volume with approximately 16,000 companies. As the acquisition and shared services arm of GSA, FAS provides comprehensive procurement, technology, fleet, travel, and charge card solutions to more than 80 federal agencies.
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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing approximately 360 million rentable square feet, overseeing over $126 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services to millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver exceptional customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology. To address nearly $50 billion in delinquent maintenance, GSA is leading a coalition of every cabinet agency and many federal leaders urgently advocating for full Federal Buildings Fund access and raising the prospectus threshold from $4.109 million to $75 million. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow @USGSA.
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Original text here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-gsa/newsroom/news-releases/gsa-announces-commissioner-appointments-for-pbs-and-fas-11042026
Administrator Zeldin Completes 4-Day Swing Across Florida, Meeting with Ranchers, Scientists, Energy Producers, and Manufacturers
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Administrator Zeldin Completes 4-Day Swing Across Florida, Meeting with Ranchers, Scientists, Energy Producers, and Manufacturers
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WASHINGTON -- Last weekend, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin traveled across Midwestern and Southeastern Florida where he met with Florida ranchers, manufacturers, storm recovery professionals, and scientists. The visit to the Sunshine State highlighted the importance of protecting water infrastructure and resources needed to adequately
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Administrator Zeldin Completes 4-Day Swing Across Florida, Meeting with Ranchers, Scientists, Energy Producers, and Manufacturers
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WASHINGTON -- Last weekend, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin traveled across Midwestern and Southeastern Florida where he met with Florida ranchers, manufacturers, storm recovery professionals, and scientists. The visit to the Sunshine State highlighted the importance of protecting water infrastructure and resources needed to adequatelytreat wastewater against natural disasters, erosion, outdated pesticides, and inadequate wastewater treatment procedures.
On Friday, October 30, Administrator Zeldin visited Duke Energy's Storm Recovery Command Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. While there, he discussed the importance of coordination between electric utilities, EPA, and state and local emergency responders to protect communities, prevent environmental emergencies, and accelerate recovery efforts following hurricanes.
Later that day, Administrator Zeldin visited the M&B Bottling and Processing Facility in Tampa, Florida. They discussed how farming, wastewater management, hay fields, and milk production connect with an operation that has lasted for nearly 40 years.
On Saturday, October 31, Administrator Zeldin toured Soilcea Citrus Field in Seffner, Florida. Administrator Zeldin witnessed CarriCea T1, Soilcea's precision-bred citrus rootstock that helps trees defend themselves against citrus greening. This technology was approved by the Trump EPA in April, 2026, after the agency completed its safety review. The visit highlighted the Trump EPA's commitment to using gold-standard science to provide solutions to environmental issues impacting communities.
The next day, Administrator Zeldin visited the Doc Partin Ranch in St. Cloud, Florida. He toured the working cattle ranch with the Osceola County Commissioner, Ricky Booth, and Florida State Representative, Erika Booth, and met with the Partin family to learn about their nearly two-century family history of farming in Florida. The Administrator also discussed the ranch's partnership with the South Florida Water Management District and highlighted how private landowners and agricultural producers can play a role in protecting water resources and supporting the restoration of the Everglades.
On Monday, November 2, Administrator Zeldin met with Sox Erosion Solutions in Boca Raton, Florida. They discussed their erosion-control technology designed to stabilize shorelines, prevent soil erosion, and protect waterways. Companies such as Sox Erosion Solutions advance the Trump EPA's commitment to gold-standard science and environmental problem solvers to strengthen and protect water resources.
Administrator Zeldin wrapped his four-day swing touring the FPL West County Energy Center in Loxahatchee, Florida, and witnessing their emissions-control technology and facility. The Trump EPA's commitment to protecting water infrastructure, water resources, and promoting gold-standard science used by environmental problem solvers were major topics throughout the visit. The visit focused on the Trump EPA's commitment to unleashing American energy and promoting gold-standard science to protect and power communities across the state.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/administrator-zeldin-completes-4-day-swing-across-florida-meeting-ranchers-scientists
