Lisa Shimkat, state director of America’s Small Business Development Center Iowa, has been appointed the associate administrator of field operations for the U.S. Small Business Administration and the acting associate administrator for the Office of International Trade. Shimkat has led SBDC Iowa, which has 15 regional centers across the state, since 2014. Under her leadership, the regional centers have assisted more than 24,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners, supported the launch of 2,500 new businesses and generated $1.5 billion in sales revenue. In her new role, Shimkat will oversee field operations and international trade, which is responsible for the direct execution of the SBA’s products and services for U.S. small businesses. Alicia Smith, chief accountant and associate state director of SBDC Iowa, is serving as interim state director. A selection committee will conduct a national search for a new state director.