Dennis Beard

Mr. Beard became a MEI board member in 2018 and is lead investor for MEI’s Series A capital financing. Mr. Beard has a 30-plus year career in financial services, healthcare services, and technology. He is a Mgr. Partner with Serra Ventures and Serra Capital. He has worked over 10 years with the University of Illinois technology community. He formerly was CEO and CFO of Home Recovery Group of Companies, Mgr. for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Controller for SLM Aminco, CFO for Segno Communications, a Partner with Blakeman and Beard, LLC, and a Partner and CFO with Open Prairie Ventures.

Mr. Beard as a CPA has served clients including Caterpillar, Shell Oil Company, George Soros’ Quantum Fund, and Continental Illinois National Bank. As a healthcare industry CEO, he has served as President of a statewide industry trade association. Mr. Beard participated in the full range of early-stage venture investing including raising capital, sourcing investment opportunities, participating in oversight of portfolio investments, assisting with exit transactions, and reporting to investors, among others.

Mr. Beard has a B.S. in Accounting from Millikin University, M.B.A. from the University of Illinois Executive MBA Program and is a Certified Public Accountant.