Our team of dedicated professionals have more than 100 years combined experience ranging in commercial lending, microenterprise, small business development, technical assistance, and economic development, across dozens of industries. Throughout the years, we have built an expansive network of professional resources dedicated to microenterprise and small business to help you stay competitive in today’s ever-changing marketplace.
Beverly Correa
Managing Director
Since arriving to OBDC Finance in 2007, Beverly has analyzed thousands of business loans ranging from micro to small business deals ($1,000 to $287,000). Through her passion for small business, dedication to the organization, and strong underwriting experience, Beverly was promoted from loan officer to OBDC Finance’s Managing Director within a few years. Prior to OBDC Finance, Beverly worked as a loan officer for ACCION (New York) and provided business counseling through the William Paterson University Small Business Development Center. In and amidst this, Beverly also assisted with the management and operation of a family-owned business that employed 15 individuals in her native New Jersey. After obtaining her Economics Degree from Rutgers University, Beverly served in West Africa’s U.S. Peace Corps as a Small Business Advisor implementing community development programs for 28 different villages and evaluated lending programs for a local microlending financial institution. Beverly also sends a special hello to Spanish and French speaking entrepreneurs.
Roberto Costa
Director of Business Development
Roberto came to OBDC Finance after getting to know many of the organization’s clients while working at the City of Oakland’s Community and Economic Development Agency. Before coming to the City of Oakland, Roberto worked as Special Assistant to the Executive Director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. As a National Urban Fellow, he graduated with a Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College’s School of Public Affairs in New York. Previously, he had served in the Peace Corps’ Small Business Development Program for two years assisting in providing microloans to business women in a disadvantaged community in the highlands of Guatemala. Roberto is also involved with community and merchant groups dedicated to improve the quality of life and economic sustainability in Oakland.
Alton W. Do
Director of Business Expansion & Market Development
Alton was recruited to OBDC Finance after a short but influential time in the alternative and community lending industry. His strong background in small business development spanning across two states, including working on community and economic development issues on Capitol Hill (Washington, DC), has increased OBDC Finance’s network of resources that’s both beneficial to the organization and the entrepreneurs it serves. Prior to his current role, Alton helped develop an international division for a world-renown judicial training firm; written and edited over hundreds of business, marketing, and strategic plans as a consultant and for a regional Small Business Development Center with a 90% success rate in achieving client objectives; and underwrote microloans with nearly 100% financing approval. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with degrees in International Affairs and Economics, Alton returns to his native state to promote small business in the eighth highest ranking economy in the world.
Jackie Maxwell
Director of Administration
Jackie is responsible for accounts payable and receivables, and manages all of OBDC Finance’s loan accounts. She has 25 years of accounting, collections and training experience. Prior to OBDC, she enjoyed 15 years of working for The Flecto Company in Oakland in their credit department as a Senior Accounts person. Jackie is a long time San Francisco Bay Area resident who also enjoys track and field, of which she is a USATF official.
William Ong
Chief Financial Officer
William has 25 years of experience in mixed-use real estate development, program services, property management, and taxation. Before joining OBDC Small Business Finance, William was controller of the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC), an Oakland-based community economic development organization. Throughout his career, William has fostered partnerships with community-based organizations, banking institutions, and local and national equity foundations to accomplish lasting economic gains in the communities where he has worked. He graduated Cum Laude with an Accounting Degree from San Beda College and took masters’ coursework in business management at De La Salle University. William is responsible for all financial oversight and control for the organization, and also serves as a member of the underwriting and loan evaluation team.
Felicia Pierson
Director of Lending
Felicia joined OBDC Small Business Finance in July of 2007 and focuses on small business deals up to the firm’s maximum lending amount, $287,000. Felicia comes to OBDC Finance after a nine year career in corporate banking in New York City. Prior to her work as a Credit Risk Manager with various global banking firms and prior to business school, Felicia served as Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon, West Africa, where she taught math and physics at the secondary school level. In addition, she was the director of Peace Corps’ highly popular regional summer school program. Felicia is glad to return to the non-profit sector through OBDC Finance where she is able to blend both passions. This marks an alignment with her personal mission of working to increase the self-sufficiency of individuals in underserved communities. Felicia holds an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University and a BS Degree from Southern University A&M College. In her spare time Felicia is an independent film buff and produces her own line of soaps, lotions, body butters and bath salts.
Jacob Singer, Ph.D
Chief Executive Officer
Jacob was recruited to serve as OBDC Finance’s CEO after an extensive career in business management and economic development. With a Ph.D. in Community Studies from Union Institute, Jacob has taught business strategy, entrepreneurship and non-profit management as an adjunct professor at New College of California’s Green MBA program and Sonoma State University. Jacob became immersed in business development in the Bay Area while helping launch Pacific Community Ventures, a 501(c)(3) community development equity fund. As Director of Portfolio Management and Investment Development, Jacob was the senior team member responsible for lending and investing $20M of capital in early and expansion stage companies located in low-income communities. Jacob understands the unique challenges of entrepreneurs after running his own consulting business, and most recently serving as the turnaround CEO for a vocational school. Jacob also has deep roots in environmental conservation, and previously founded and ran a non-profit organization in Big Sur focused on watershed preservation and environmental education in partnership with the Esalen Institute. Jacob has an M.B.A. from Claremont Graduate School’s Drucker School of Management and a B.A. from CSU Pomona.
Starla Washington
Administrative Manager
Starla is a proud Oaklander and has found through OBDC Finance the opportunity to assist in the economic development of her native City. Prior to joining OBDC, Starla was a customer relations representative for Bay Area companies such as Import/Export American President Lines and Leboeuf Lamb Green & Macrae law firm. Starla’s personal interest focuses on furthering her academic preparation that will complement her current position and her hobbies include shopping and traveling but most of all; she has enjoyed raising her family in the Bay Area where she has found comfort among its diverse population.