{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/key-management","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/key-management","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"key-management","term":"Key Management","group":"Reading the business","definition":"These are the essential employees whose knowledge and skills are critical to the business's daily operations and success, beyond the owner.","what_it_means":"Identify who these people are during Due diligence. Understand their roles, compensation, and retention plans. If they leave post-acquisition, the business could face significant disruption. Your Business plan should address their retention or replacement.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/key-management","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"},{"slug":"business-plan","term":"Business plan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-plan"},{"slug":"non-compete","term":"Non-compete","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/non-compete"},{"slug":"shared-services","term":"Shared Services","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/shared-services"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What specific scenarios involving shared directors, officers, or key employees constitute 'common management' triggering affiliation for SBA size determination?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-scenarios-involving-shared-directors-officers-or-key-employees-constitute-co"},{"question":"If a key management employee who is not an owner is a foreign national, does this affect SBA 7(a) loan eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/if-a-key-management-employee-who-is-not-an-owner-is-a-foreign-national-does-this-affect-sb"},{"question":"How does the SBA verify my business management experience?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-does-the-sba-verify-my-business-management-experience"},{"question":"Is previous business ownership or management experience required to qualify?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-previous-business-ownership-or-management-experience-required-to-qualify"},{"question":"How does common management trigger affiliation for size standard purposes?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-common-management-trigger-affiliation-for-size-standard-purposes"},{"question":"How does the SBA define \"management experience\" for a business acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-define-management-experience-for-a-business-acquisition"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Key Management","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/key-management","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}