The U.S. Small Business Administration’s New Focus on Manufacturing

In this episode of Clocking In, NCMEP Director Phil Mintz speaks with U.S. Small Business Administration leaders Lisa Shimkat, Mike Arriola, and Dan Piche about the new Made in America Manufacturing Initiative. The initiative aims to strengthen small manufacturers through reduced regulations, tailored loan programs, and workforce development.

The conversation highlights the SBA’s renewed, hands-on approach—including plant tours and roundtables—to better understand and serve small manufacturers’ needs nationwide.

LINKS

NCMEP

U.S. Small Business Administration

Dr. Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP).

Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders, and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists, and business development leaders, providing business engagement, assessment, and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.

Lisa Shimkat is the Associate Administrator for the Office of Field Operations.

Lisa also serves as the Office of Manufacturing and Trade’s Acting Associate Administrator. Previously, Lisa was the state director for Small Business Development Centers in Iowa. She has extensive experience in economic development, managing a multimillion-dollar revolving loan fund to assist rural entrepreneurs and manufacturers in expanding their businesses and serving as a plant manager for an agricultural rebuilder.

Mike Arriola is the North Carolina District Director, SBA.

As the SBA District Director for North Carolina, Mike Arriola leads an office that drives economic development by helping entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. He directs the implementation of SBA programs related to financing, business advising, and government contracts. Mike has been with the SBA since 1998. In 2004, he opened an SBA satellite office in Asheville. He moved to Charlotte to become the Deputy District Director for the state in 2014. He was named District Director in May 2021, overseeing the Charlotte district office and the Asheville, Raleigh, and Wilmington satellite offices.

Dan Pisché is the Director of Trade and Finance, SBA Office of Manufacturing and Trade.

Daniel Pische serves as the National Director of Trade Finance within the SBA’s Office of Manufacturing and Trade in Washington, DC. As Director, Daniel is responsible for the design and delivery of SBA’s export loan programs and oversight of the national staff of Export Finance Managers.

Prior to joining the SBA, Daniel was a Senior Vice President at First American Bank for over 15 years where he led their Trade Finance Division and was a member of the Senior Loan Committee. Daniel served on the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council (TFAC) during the second charter term and as the SBA’s ex-officio representative on the third chartered term.

Daniel holds a BS in Finance from Northern Illinois University and is an Evans Scholar alumnus.