Dennis Beard

Dennis has built a successful 30-plus year career in financial services, healthcare services, and technology. Dennis is a Managing Partner with Serra Ventures and Serra Capital. Dennis has worked over ten years with the University of Illinois technology community and is a charter member of the University’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program at EnterpriseWorks business incubator in the Research Park. He was formerly CEO of the Home Recovery Group of Companies, providers of home health services with over 400 employees; that entity was successfully sold in 2008.

Dennis, a CPA, has been involved throughout his career with businesses of all sizes as a Manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Controller for SLM Aminco, CFO for Segno Communications, CFO and CEO for the Home Recovery Group of Companies, a Partner with Blakeman and Beard, LLC, CPA’s, and a Partner and CFO with Open Prairie Ventures. As a CPA, Dennis has served a wide range of 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. As a Partner and CFO with Open Prairie Ventures, Dennis 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. Dennis has served as a speaker at various professional and educational conferences and forums. He is a regular lecturer for the China Executive Leadership Program at the University of Illinois. He also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer for the University of Illinois College of Business Department of Finance and for the Millikin University MBA Program.

Dennis holds the Certified Public Accountant designation (CPA, 1983). He also attended the National Venture Capital Association’s Venture Capital Institute, completing the intensive workshop in 2002.

Dennis holds a B.S. in Accounting from Millikin University and an M.B.A. from the University of Illinois Executive MBA Program where he was recognized with the Academic Excellence Award.