The Alaska World Affairs Council Presents

Paul Quintero
CFO and Interim CEO of ACCION,
the nation's largest microlender

"US Microfinance: Challenges and Opportunities"

Friday, 5th October, 2007 – Hilton Hotel
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. - Program begins at 12:00 p.m.
For Reservations
RSVP by Wednesday, 3rd October to the Alaska World Affairs Council
by telephone 276-8038 or by email to AlaskaWorldAffairs.org .
Lunch Program $20 for Members - $25 for Non-Members - $6 for Coffee Only

Paul joined ACCION with over 13 years of experience in investment banking, public accounting and community development investment experience. Prior to joining ACCION, he served as the senior vice president of business investments at the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), one of nine empowerment zones established to revitalize distressed communities by using public funds and tax incentives as catalysts for private investment. While at the Empowerment Zone, Paul successfully closed over $25 million in direct investments and $57 million in triple-tax exempt financings for community development projects that include the largest "big-box" retail development in Manhattan, the largest microloan fund in New York State history, the first new medical school in Harlem in over 30 years, the first auto dealership north of 57th street, the first bowling alley north of 42nd street and other development firsts.

Before joining the Empowerment Zone in 2003, Paul was a vice president of Lehman Brothers, where he worked in the global communication and media group within the investment banking division. Prior to Lehman, he worked as a senior associate of Schroder & Co., where he worked in the industrial manufacturing group. Before joining Schroder, Paul began his investment banking career with Chase Securities (now JPMorgan Chase) where he coordinated and managed syndicated loan financings and merger and acquisition transactions for both domestic and Latin American clients across a range of industries. Prior to investment banking, Paul worked as a senior staff accountant of Deloitte & Touche.

Paul is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Washington and was one of the 100 students selected by the Washington state legislature for a four-year full tuition scholarship under the Washington State Scholars Program. He was selected as a fellow from the Robert F. Toigo Foundation and received his master’s of business administration degree from Columbia Business School.