A Sharpe Outlook: Preparing for Disaster

If disaster strikes, are you ready? Do you have supplies? Do you know what to do? Our guest is James Rivera, and he is the associate administrator for SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. He has tips and advice so you will be ready should the worst occur.

James Rivera

James Rivera is the associate administrator for SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. Since September 2006, he has led several efforts to expand the agency’s disaster operations. Those changes include overseeing the introduction of an online disaster loan application, more efficient loan underwriting processes, and computer technology upgrades which resulted in quicker loan disbursements to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by disasters.



Rivera started his SBA career in 1989 as a loan specialist at the disaster field office in Ft. Worth, Texas. In that job, he processed home, business physical and economic injury (working capital) disaster loans. In 1994 he relocated to Washington, D.C., to work at SBA’s disaster operation’s headquarters. Before joining the SBA, Rivera worked as a commercial loan officer at several large banks in Texas. His lending experience includes marketing, negotiating, underwriting and closing transactions in commercial real estate.



Rivera was the assistant administrator for Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil Rights Compliance (EEO&CRC). He served as the principal agency adviser on civil rights policies and was responsible for administering, strengthening and improving the agency’s record on civil rights and equal employment opportunity. Before joining EEO&CRC in 2001, he was the deputy associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Assistance where he was involved in managing all aspects of SBA’s disaster loan-making programs.



From 2002 to 2006, Rivera was the associate administrator in the Office of Financial Assistance. During his tenure administering the SBA’s 7(a), 504 and Microloan programs, lending records were broken each year, with an unprecedented level of capital provided to small businesses. In 2006, the SBA supported more than $20 billion in loans to small businesses.



In April 2012, Rivera received a Presidential Distinguished Rank Award for his leadership in improving SBA’s disaster loan approval and disbursement processes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Rivera is a graduate of Texas Tech University, holding a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance and economics.

Office of Disaster Assistance