(Fresno, CA) — Access Plus Capital, a subsidiary of Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC), announces Tate Hill as the new Executive Director. Hill brings 16 years of community development and business technical assistance experiences as well as 12 years in nonprofit management. For the last four years at Access Plus Capital, Hill has served as Senior Manager of Administration, Interim CEO, and Director of Administration leading fund development, strategic initiatives and administrative functions.
“The Board of Directors of Access Plus Capital is excited to announce that Tate Hill will be taking on the reigns as Executive Director of the organization. We had many qualified candidates apply but none were as knowledgeable and accomplished at Tate. We know he will take the organization to new heights and we look forward to assisting him in this endeavor.” Lee Ann Eager, President/CEO of Fresno County EDC and Access Plus Capital Board President.
Hill has helped raise over $14 million in loan and grant funds, spearheaded the rebranding of Access Plus Capital, and brought on much-needed systems for sustained growth. What started as a program of Fresno EOC to help small refugee farmers in Fresno County, has grown to provide capital to small and underserved businesses in a 14-county region throughout Central California. Hill has been an integral part of this expansion.
“As an African-American who grew up in southwest Fresno with the highest concentration of poverty in the US, I understand firsthand the importance of community economic development, financial inclusion, and racial justice work,” Hill said. “As we reflect on the current national, statewide, and local community, Access Plus Capital is uniquely positioned to undergird the important work of economic inclusion through access to capital.”
An advocate for racial and economic justice, Hill is board treasurer of the Greenlining Institute and executive committee member of the Fresno DRIVE Initiative focusing his work on supporting low-income and entrepreneurs of color. Previously, he was the President & CEO of the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce that created the region’s first green business certification program and the Central Valley Business Diversity Expo.
Hill follows his predecessor, Salam Nalia, who recently retired from Fresno EOC after 27 years and was the CEO of Access Plus Capital for 11 years.
Hill holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance from Fresno State’s Craig School of Business and a M.S. in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. He is native to Stockton, CA but was raised in southwest Fresno where he currently resides.
Access Plus Capital offers financing and training services for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Central California. Since its inception in 2009, its multilingual staff has lent over $35 million to hundreds of entrepreneurs, helping them realize their dreams by starting and growing their small businesses. Fresno CDFI dba Access Plus Capital is a subsidiary of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC). More information can be found here: accesspluscapital.com.
Fresno EOC is a Community Action Agency (CAA), born from the Civil Rights Movement. Our agency is a private nonprofit organization, providing opportunities and resources to low-income Fresno County residents for over 54 years. Fresno EOC employs more than 1,100 workers and offers over 35 comprehensive community-based programs that empower individuals to thrive as healthy, self-sufficient and contributing members of our communities.