Asset management, property management, marketing, and legal all make up the Birgo Capital team. With expertise in acquisitions, legal, finance, operations, and property management, investors can be confident they’ve hired a skilled and dedicated team to preserve and grow their wealth.
Our newest content series will give you an introduction to our team. Next up is Peter Holt, Birgo Capital's Investment Analyst.
Tell me a little bit about your background.
Pittsburgh born and raised. After graduating from Grove City College, I began my career in public accounting as a CPA and joined Birgo in 2020. I am currently working towards my MBA at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business and recently transitioned to Birgo’s acquisitions team as an investment analyst.
Which has been more valuable in your career, your education or your experience?
Both have been essential, but if I had to choose, I would say that my experience has been more valuable than my education. While my field experience has certainly honed some of my technical skills, the real benefit has been the continued development of interpersonal soft skills - something that education can never really teach.
What's the best thing about your job?
I get to have the best of both worlds - I enjoy both meeting new people and building relationships while also participating in analysis of financial data and business models. The balance is perfect and keeps me energized.
What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?
Aside from starting with Birgo last year - I believe the best career decision I made was my second job. I joined a brand-new, small accounting firm and was not sure what to expect transitioning over from a large, corporate “Big 4” company. Fortunately, I knew the team I was joining was excellent and so the decision was easy. Over three years, the office grew to over thirty employees and I learned much more than I anticipated. The team made all the difference and I am glad I took the risk.
What advice do you have for someone new to the industry?
No matter the industry, you should have the willingness to solve any problem or take on any large and unclear task. At the end of the day, being the guy that solved the problem is significantly more valuable than excelling only in what your job description requires.
Is there a quote that motivates you?
“Those who have nothing can share nothing; those who are going nowhere can have no fellow-travellers.” -C.S. Lewis
Who inspires you?
Both my father and father-in-law are real inspirations to me. They both have demonstrated to me the importance of defining one’s priorities in life and how to intentionally structure one’s life to commit the proper time to each.
Dream job (apart from working at Birgo!)?
I used to want to be a trash collector as a kid - riding on the back of a large moving vehicle? Does it get any better? But if you asked me now, I’d probably say I want to be a National Park Ranger. I haven’t put too much thought into it yet, and while I’m not quite sure what all the job entails, I’m sure that being outside each day and having a lot to explore could keep me occupied and content.
You’re dropped off on a deserted island. What three items are with you?
A baseball mitt, a rice cooker, and a glue gun.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
I bought some flowers.
Teach me something I don’t know in the next minute.
In an efficient market, the interest rates and exchange rates for two given countries are inversely related. If the first country offers a higher investment return compared to the second, the first country’s currency will depreciate in relation to the second country’s currency (i.e. the exchange rate between the currencies will adjust to ensure the return on investment would be equal if invested in either country). If this were not the case, then an arbitrage opportunity would exist. Every day is a school day!
Dogs or cats?
We have two cats that keep us pretty entertained. I think that most people enjoy dogs simply because they are immediately friendly, yet speaking from experience, winning a cat’s love is more rewarding since it requires time and effort.
What books or articles should i be reading?
I don’t read articles often and I try to pick up news and stories through podcasts actually - mainly a16z. The only magazine I enjoy and subscribe to is WIRED magazine.
What does a typical weekend look like in your household?
Most weekends I spend doing MBA coursework and readings. If it’s been a long week, then in the evenings I’ll spend time reading or watching a show with my wife. If I still have energy to expend, I’ll turn to some house projects - I recently refinished an old wardrobe that was in our basement when we purchased the house. Pretty exciting, right?
