SBA names Melissa Lindler new South Carolina District Director
February 4, 2025The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Melissa Lindler has been named as the District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s South Carolina District Office located in Columbia, South Carolina. As District Director, Ms. Lindler will oversee SBA operations across the state, ensuring entrepreneurs and small business owners have access to the tools, resources, and support necessary to grow and thrive in South Carolina’s dynamic economy.
A native of Irmo, South Carolina, Ms. Lindler brings decades of extensive experience in public administration, economic development, and community empowerment to this leadership role.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Lindler to the SBA’s South Carolina District Office,” said Janita Stewart, Acting Regional Administrator, Southeast Region. “Her wealth of experience and dedication to economic development will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to support and empower South Carolina’s small businesses.”
Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff at the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC). In this capacity, she provided strategic counsel to leadership while advancing the Commission’s mission to foster economic development and enhance the quality of life across a seven-state region.
Prior to her tenure at SCRC, Ms. Lindler served as the Director of the Office of Business Opportunities for the City of Columbia, South Carolina. In this role, she spearheaded initiatives to support small, minority, and women-owned businesses, overseeing critical programs and initiatives such as the City’s commercial revolving loan funds, contractor and supplier initiatives, and commercial retention and redevelopment strategies.
“I am honored to join the SBA as District Director for South Carolina,” said Ms. Lindler. “Throughout my career, I have been passionate about supporting small businesses and fostering economic growth. I look forward to collaborating with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that entrepreneurs across the state have the resources they need to succeed.”
Ms. Lindler holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina. She also possesses a graduate certification in Public Management from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
For more information, please contact Stephanie Bittiker at the South Carolina District Office at
[email protected] or by phone at 803-765-5225. For the latest information on District Office news please follow us on twitter at @SBA_SCarolina.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.