The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) today announced the appointment of Anne Rascon as Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Financial and Economic Opportunity. Rascon is charged with leading the City's Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program. The program certifies local businesses which are at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by women or members of minority groups, and connects them to City contracting opportunities and opportunities to grow.

"Anne Rascon has a very strong record of creating opportunities for minorities and women," said Rob Walsh, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. "I am excited that she will further expand and grow our program. The rate of businesses recertifying with our program has tripled, indicating that certified M/WBEs find value in our services, and between July-December 2007 our program helped minority and women-owned businesses win $153 million in contracts with the City of New York. I would also like to thank former Deputy Commissioner Kerri Jew, who resigned this month, for her leadership and dedication to our City's minority and women-owned business community."

Anne Rascon was previously the Director of Planning at the New York City District Council of Carpenters Labor Technical College. Prior to that position, she served as President and CEO of Nontraditional Employment for Women, a non-profit organization that prepares women for careers in the skilled trades. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in World Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz and is earning a Masters in Public Administration from the City University of New York, Baruch School of Public Affairs.

"I am excited about working closely with City agencies and the private sector to increase access to contracting opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses," said Rascon. "At the same time, I look forward to working directly with our certified firms to help them prepare for and bid on contracts."

Kerri Jew joined SBS in January 2004 as Deputy General Counsel and led the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise program from 2005-2008.