Profiles in Public Finance:
Bruce Sorensen
For more than 100 years, Baird has built its fixed income business the right way – by bringing on the top professionals in the industry and giving them all the tools and resources they need to serve their clients best. For Senior Charter School Investment Banker Bruce Sorensen, that includes a commitment to creating a friendly and supportive culture that people want to be a part of.
Baird isn’t part of a publicly traded bank, like some of our biggest competitors. The fact that Baird is employee-owned felt to me like a better way to do business.
Bruce Sorensen
Senior Charter School Investment Banker
Sarasota, Florida
What is your role within the Public Finance industry?
I started my career in public finance in 1989 and have been underwriting bonds for over 30 years. Prior to joining Baird, I worked at a competing firm for 17 years and headed up their charter school group for 10 years.
Why were you looking to leave your previous firm?
I had started to lose faith in upper management’s commitment to supporting the charter school practice my team and I had built. I decided that I wanted to finish my career with one of the market leaders, and Baird was by far the best choice.
Why originally drew you to Baird?
For one, Baird was and remains consistently among the largest underwriter of charter schools in the country. But just as important was that Baird isn’t part of a publicly traded bank, like some of our biggest competitors. The fact that Baird is employee-owned felt to me like a better way to do business.
What were the deciding factors that made you join Baird?
Baird is a well-run organization from just about every measure. Whether it’s the Fortune 100 Best Companies To Work For® accolades, our profitability and stock performance, our municipal rankings or the firm’s no-asshole rule, it all adds up to a place where successful people want to go to do their best business. The quality of the people that I met was the biggest factor. Everyone from my fellow bankers and top-flight support to my direct and upper management impressed me, and were excited to have me join the team. I knew then this was a quality organization I could be successful with.
Looking back, how does your Baird career experience compare with your previous career experience?
My experience with Baird has been quite different than my previous career experience. Baird has been incredibly supportive through what turned out to be a difficult transition, having joined the firm only months before the Covid-19 pandemic. The technological and organizational support for remote working made that transition as seamless as it could have been. Baird has also been incredibly supportive of my move to the Sarasota office – I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career here!
