Business Development Specialist, South Dakota SBA

Jake Droge joined the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in June 2020 and currently serves as the Business Development Specialist and Veteran Business Development Officer for the South Dakota District Office. He is responsible for promoting small business resources across South Dakota including access to capital, counseling and training, government contracting, and disaster relief.

Prior to joining the SBA, Mr. Droge served as the Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau for eastern South Dakota. He also previously worked in the financial industry for approximately 20 years serving in various roles such as Loss Prevention, Compliance and Quality Control, and most recently served as Branch Manager assisting seniors with the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program. He is a U.S. Army veteran, having served with the South Dakota National Guard as a combat medic. He deployed with the Vermillion Medical Unit to the Middle East in 2003-04.

Originally from Stickney, SD, Mr. Droge is a Class of 1998 graduate of the University of South Dakota, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. He also holds a certification as a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional from National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.