Round Rock Chamber Organizes SBA Leadership for Semiconductor Supplier Roundtable

On Wednesday, May 28, the Round Rock Chamber organized a small business roundtable with regional semiconductor manufacturers and suppliers at the Texas State University Round Rock campus. The event was held in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and brought together key federal leadership and local industry representatives to discuss opportunities and challenges facing small businesses in the semiconductor supply chain.

The purpose of the roundtable was to give the SBA a direct line of communication with businesses to better understand the real-world impact of federal policies and regulations. The discussion centered on ways the SBA can help reduce regulatory burdens, improve access to resources, and support continued innovation and growth within the industry.

Representing the SBA were:

• Lisa Shimkat, Associate Administrator for the Office of Field Operations – The highest-ranking SBA official at the event, Lisa oversees all SBA field operations across the country and offered a national perspective on small business priorities and support programs.
• Chip Bishop, Interim General Counsel, Office of Advocacy – Responsible for federal deregulation efforts impacting small businesses, Chip provided insights into ongoing regulatory reform initiatives and how the SBA’s Office of Advocacy is working to reduce barriers for small manufacturers.
• Justin Crossie, Regional Administrator – As head of SBA operations across Region 6 (Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and one additional state), Justin discussed regional opportunities and shared how the SBA is deploying resources to advance small business success in the semiconductor sector.
• Bill Gravell, Regional Advocate for Region 6 – A former Williamson County Judge, Bill now advocates on behalf of small businesses across five states. His familiarity with the Central Texas region added valuable context to the conversation.

This collaborative discussion marked an important step toward enhancing federal-local partnerships and ensuring small businesses in Round Rock and across the region have a voice in shaping policy and accessing critical resources.