Laura is the director of Policy and Engagement for the Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In this role, she oversees OVBD policies and veteran engagement events and outreach for veterans, servicemembers (active duty, National Guard, Reserve), and military spouses. 
 
Wages joined the SBA in 2016, serving in a number of positions, most recently as the programs director for OVBD. Prior to the SBA, she held numerous leadership positions with the Army, including deputy assistant for Awards and Promotions for the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) and the Deputy G1, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.  
 
Wages has first-hand military experience, having served 28 years as an active duty enlisted soldier and officer in the Army. In 2012, she retired from the military and purchased a franchise in the senior home health care industry.  She holds an BA in Literature from the University of Texas at El Paso and an MA from Air University.