After nearly two decades working with Hawaii's small businesses, Andrew Poepoe, Hawaii district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration yesterday announced plans to retire at year's end.

Poepoe, whose last day at SBA will be Dec. 31, has led the agency since 1991; however, he spent 17 years overseeing SBA programs and services in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. Under Poepoe's leadership, the SBA increased lending, expanded government contracting programs and established resources to provide counseling and training for small business owners.

“;Andy has done a wonderful job heading SBA operations in Hawaii and has earned a well-deserved reputation as the 'go to' guy for anything involving small business in his district,”; said Bruce Thompson, administrator for SBA's Region IX. “;In a very tough economic climate the past year, Andy Poepoe is one of the few district directors nationwide who's actually exceeded all his goals, including lending to the small business community. His leadership and experience will be missed.”;

In Hawaii, Poepoe is perhaps best known for his support and implementation of regulations allowing 8(a) certified firms owned by Native Hawaiian Organizations to qualify for large federal contracts of unlimited dollar value on a sole source basis. Part of the profit from these contracts is given to Native Hawaiian social programs.

Prior to joining SBA, Poepoe also played a vital role in Hawaii's private sector. He worked as an executive at Dole Packaged Foods Co. from 1962 to 1988, serving as manager of commercial operations and vice president of Dole's Hawaiian Plantations Co. He was a pioneer in the effort to develop successful strategic business relationships with companies located throughout Asia and the Pacific.

From 1966 through 1982, Poepoe also held elected offices in the Hawaii State Legislature and the Honolulu City Council.

Poepoe, who graduated from Kamehameha Schools and received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and business from Yale University and a master's in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, co-wrote “;The Legacy Lives On.”; The book is a compilation of biographies of Native Hawaiian graduates of Kamehameha Schools.