Britt Biles—A Point of View Like No Other

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Britt Biles knew she was signing up for a challenging job when she agreed to become General Counsel for the Small Business Administration at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA was a respected but relatively under-the-radar provider of small business services that was suddenly a lifeline for millions of American businesses and their employees who suddenly were out of work.

Congress and the White House chose the SBA to administer Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Designed to keep businesses afloat and paying their workers as the world weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and government-ordered shutdowns, the program provided $800 billion in relief funds to certain categories of businesses—some traditionally small and others that were not small but qualified for government relief because their industries, such as hospitality, were especially hard-hit by the pandemic.

Biles was well-prepared for the job, having served in several key federal roles, including as Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel in the Division of Enforcement at the SEC and Special Assistant to the President and Associate White House Counsel, and she looked forward to the challenge. Still, nothing could have prepared anyone for what the SBA had been asked to do.

“SBA was facing a challenge unlike any it had ever seen. They were handing out 14 years’ worth of loans in 14 days,” Britt said. Along with the increased workload came intense Congressional and public oversight for the Agency—all while the majority of its staff worked remotely.

“It was lots of work coming from all different directions at the same time. We were building the airplane while we were flying it.”

But Britt and her SBA colleagues proved they were up to the job. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) estimates that the PPP loans saved between two and three million jobs.

She said, “I’m proud of the work we did. It was a trial by fire and everyone worked hard for the greater purpose of helping people.”

On a lighter note, the SBA GC’s office may just be the second-hottest seat Britt has ever occupied. The hottest may be the bleachers of Duke University’s venerable Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Britt said she’s proud to be a graduate of Duke Law and enjoyed her time in Durham. But that wasn’t going to prevent her from representing her undergrad alma mater, wearing a Tar Heels sweatshirt and cheering for UNC at their arch-rival’s home court!

Grace under pressure. It’s why if you are a leader of a business under government investigation, you want Britt and her unique perspective in your corner. 

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