SBA elevates NJ deputy Blackstock to district director

The U.S. Small Business Administration has tapped longtime SBA New Jersey Deputy District Director John Blackstock as the district director, the administration announced March 9. Blackstock succeeds former District Director Al Titone, who retired from the agency on Dec. 22, 2021, after more than a decade in the role.

Blackstock will now oversee the implementation and delivery of SBA programs and services across New Jersey’s 21 counties.

For the past six years in his capacity as deputy district director, Blackstock directly supervised the office’s employees and oversaw the creation and adherence to the office’s strategic plan.

Blackstock’s experience includes previous management and customer service-facing roles at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce, in addition to almost three decades of uniformed military service.

“John Blackstock’s expertise in SBA’s federal lending and economic aid programs will be instrumental in helping the smallest of small New Jersey entrepreneurs obtain access to our federal agency’s programs,” said SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Marlene Cintron in a prepared statement. “I have an outstanding relationship with John and know that he will continue to ensure that the New Jersey District continues to provide stellar customer service, access, outreach and support to small business owners.

“We are delighted to have John lead the New Jersey District Office to new heights as we further our mission to assist our small business community and work with lenders. He is eager to create additional, long-lasting partnerships with our lending community and key stakeholders and has already hit the ground running,” Cintron added.

As district director, Blackstock is now responsible for the oversight of approximately $1.3 billion of annual traditional lending and more than $2.6 billion in federal contracting dollars awarded to eligible small and small disadvantaged firms in the state.

He will provide support to the district’s counseling partners including the Small Business Development Centers, SCORE Chapters, Women’s Business Center, U.S. Export Assistance Centers, Veteran Business Outreach Center and Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

“Our 940,000 small businesses employing 1.9 people million are the backbone of our economy. I’m proud that SBA delivered over 661,000 loans, grants and payments of economic aid valued at almost $41.7 billion that will help these giants of the economy recover from the pandemic and thrive,” Blackstock said. “Along with the New Jersey team I’m privileged to lead, we will be here to help our entrepreneurs start, grow and expand their businesses into tomorrow.”