Angela R. Burton is the District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office. She came to the SBA in July 2013 after serving for almost a decade as the first woman President/CEO of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.
Angela earned an associate degree in International Trade and Transportation from Texas Southmost College and a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science Degree in Business Technology from the University of Texas at Brownsville in 1997. (She graduated Magna Cum Laude.) Angela is also a graduate from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management at the University of Notre Dame as well as the Texas Certified Public Managers Course at UTB/TSC’s Institute for Public Service.
Angela retired from the U.S. Army Reserves with more than 21 years of service in 2004. Her service included a Tour of Duty in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm with the 145th MEDSOM where she finalized the unit’s mission by leading a “rear detachment” of troops home to the U.S. She also served in Central America as well as many areas in the United States. Her final assignment included training troops in preparation for deployment to Iraq. In November 2003, because of her excellence in training and leadership the 4th Training Brigade awarded Angela “Instructor of the Year 2003”. (The 4th Brigade covers a nine-state region.)
Angela’s reputation as a tough and dedicated leader and her pronounced engagement skills are known far and wide. She currently serves as President of Veteran Females United and a committee member for Senator Cornyn’s Military Service Academy Selection Committee. Past service includes board member for Brownsville Crime Stoppers, Brownsville Economic Development Council, Brownsville’s Environmental Advisory Committee, Texas Southmost College Strategic Planning Committee, Valley AIDS Council, Workforce Solutions Cameron and President of the UTB School of Business Advisory Board just to name a few.
