Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Community Activity
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Brenda C. Guess, MPA

Baton Rouge,LA

Summary

Accomplished Economic Development Administrator with over 30 years of providing technical assistance, small business development financing, team management and leadership. Demonstrated record of success in building positive relationships and alliances.

Overview

Work History

Assistant Secretary

State of Louisiana, Louisiana Economic Development
Baton Rouge, LA
2022 - Current
  • Responsible for guiding LED’s programs that grow Louisiana’s small business sector, including administration of Louisiana’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), Research and Development, Angel Investor and Venture and Seed Capital programs.
  • Responsible for the administration of a variety of state programs developed for the creation, retention and expansion of Louisiana businesses and industries.
  • Provides supervision and guidance to program administrators responsible for determining eligibility for Louisiana tax incentives and other discretionary programs.
  • Provides guidance and supervision to teams which supports small businesses to foster entrepreneurship, community development, create jobs and stimulate economic activity.
  • Developed strategies for business retention and expansion, job creation and capital investment.
  • Provides technical assistance to small businesses seeking financial resources or training opportunities.
  • Maintains updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.

Director/Manager Business Incentive Services

State of Louisiana. Louisiana Economic Development
2007 - 2022
  • Serves as administrator of state programs geared to give companies a competitive edge through tax incentives, access to credit and capital funding in the state of Louisiana.

Economic Development Business Investment Officer

State of Louisiana, Department of Economic Development
1996 - 2007
  • Administered $6.5M state Workforce Development Financing Program

Deputy Assistant Secretary

State of Louisiana, Department of Economic Development
1993 - 1996
  • Served as Assistant Administrator of a state government entity responsible for administering a statewide loan assistance program targeted at Louisiana small businesses.

Small Business Loan Advisor

State of Louisiana, Department of Economic Development
1987 - 1993
  • Assisted Louisiana small businesses in the development and structure of loan requests

Revenue Inspector

City of Baton Rouge, Office of the Treasurer
1981 - 1987
  • Issued occupational licenses to small and large businesses in East Baton Rouge Parish

Assistant Manager

City National Bank of Baton Rouge
1977 - 1981
  • Trained in all aspects of branch operations

Assistant Manager

The Kroger Company
Houston, TX
1975 - 1977
  • Trained in all areas of retail store operations

Education

Master of Public Administration -

Southern University And A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA

Bachelor of Science -

Southern University And A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA

Skills

  • Program Development/Marketing
  • Loan Workout/Negiotations
  • Loan Documentation/Program Compliance
  • Staff Supervision/Development
  • Loan/Finance Packaging
  • Budgeting/Accountability
  • Business Plan Development
  • Operations/Quality Control
  • Communications/Public Relations
  • Program/Management Development/Implementation
  • Board Management
  • Client Development/Relations
  • Credit and Collection Strategies
  • Business/Individual Income Tax Preparation
  • Microsoft Computer Software
  • Real Estate Sales
  • Compliance

Community Activity

  • City of Baton Rouge, Overall Economic Development Task Force
  • Economic Development Advisory Council, Caleb Community Development Corporation
  • City of Baton Rouge Small and Emerging Business Network
  • LA Industrial Development Executives Association (LIDEA)

Accomplishments

  • Recognized by the Certified Development Finance Agencies Organization (CDFA) with the Lifetime Achievement Award for having made outstanding contributions to the development finance industry throughout my professional economic development career.

Timeline

Assistant Secretary

State of Louisiana, Louisiana Economic Development
2022 - Current

Director/Manager Business Incentive Services

State of Louisiana. Louisiana Economic Development
2007 - 2022

Economic Development Business Investment Officer

State of Louisiana, Department of Economic Development
1996 - 2007

Deputy Assistant Secretary

State of Louisiana, Department of Economic Development
1993 - 1996

Small Business Loan Advisor

State of Louisiana, Department of Economic Development
1987 - 1993

Revenue Inspector

City of Baton Rouge, Office of the Treasurer
1981 - 1987

Assistant Manager

City National Bank of Baton Rouge
1977 - 1981

Assistant Manager

The Kroger Company
1975 - 1977

Master of Public Administration -

Southern University And A & M College

Bachelor of Science -

Southern University And A & M College
Brenda C. Guess, MPA