Meet Portfolio Manager Baldev Birk

Fresno State grad and self-proclaimed sports-fanatic, Baldev Birk is more than just a portfolio manager. He’s also served as a Development Officer and Technical assistance coordinator. He loves working for Access Plus Capital because every day presents a new opportunity to help.   First, tell me a little bit about your background. What did you do before you became part of the Access Plus Capital team?   I graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Finance in 2004. I worked for a payroll/HR administration provider called Paychex. I was working with small to medium-size businesses providing support. I started with Fresno EOC in 2011 as an accountant in the finance office and transferred over to CDFI in 2015.     What do you do at Access Plus Capital?   I am the portfolio manager working with our existing borrower.  I have served as a Business Development Officer and as a Technical Assistance Coordinator.  I work with our at-risk clients and make sure they continue to thrive.   What is your favorite part of working at Access Plus Capital?   I like the fact that I work for a non-profit in the world of Money.  The majority of our clients are the ones that are left behind for one reason or another.  I like working for an organization that gives a hand up to those business owners and providing them with equal footing.  Working with clients and helping them solve their issues business issues, providing them with coaching and direction on how to succeed.  As part of the senior management team, I also like being part of the strategy and to determine where APC is headed in the future.   What is your favorite part of working with business owners?   I like providing an unbiased perspective to our borrowers, an outsider view of how good their business is doing and to see where they can make improvements.   What’s the latest project you worked on? What was unique about it?   COVID-19 has made things very difficult for our business owners.  Every day presents a new opportunity to help.  I have been amazed at how quickly some business has adapted to the change in the business climate.  Some of our borrowers operating online for the first time along with switching total business models.  I hope this emergency is short-lived and everyone can go back to business as usual.   What are some of your outside of work hobbies and interests? I am a big sports fanatic.  I play on 2 softball teams along with coaching Fresno EOC Softball team for the past 5 years. I also play for a traveling cricket team.  I also serve on a board of another Non-Profit.  I am always up for a discussion regarding global events.